i was just talking with a guy i play with sometimes and he was asking me about a slice backhand and i told him to hit through the ball straight ahead like a rosewall slice but i said i am not sure if that is right i told him to find out for sure to go to your videos on youtube and that is exactly what he did problem solved thank you
@@Goglinek It's interesting that you think this is staged, and that you don't think a few small adjustments to technique can make an enormous difference.
You definitely have more time with larger faced rackets of today to time the high to low across the body slice of today. When the relatively tiny faced old school rackets from 50 years ago were used to make slice, your timing needed to be really good to take that much of a high to low and across the body swing at the ball without framing the ball into or over the fence. Very interesting how advancements in technology shapes technique and ultimately how the game is played. I learned and, for several years, taught “old school” tennis years ago, and was starting to incorporate some of Borg’s and Vilas’ techniques into my game…turning my grip over a bevel to two and swinging more low to high in a bigger loop to hit a more aggressive topspin lob, change the pace with a heavy moon ball, use morel topspin for higher percentage approach shots. Back problems a career change and 35 years later I’m playing again. It’s been so cool to witness how the game has changed through the years. Ultimately, I think old-schoolers like me can always learn and improve parts of their games by adopting small doses of today’s game that can help them (particularly against the heavy topspin ball these friggin kids hit today😉)and today’s players might consider using a continental grip sometimes for some touch shots in “no-man’s land”, around the net, some defensive lobs when the ball’s gotten behind you, countering slice with slice on both sides, and sometimes driving approach shots and slice also on the forehand side. Basically, just be Roger Federer and you’re all good😎
What a great lesson. Take the ball deep (which gives you more time too, defensive), flat face, don't flex wrist, full swing arc down-up. Student got it right away.
I have never seen the slice explained like this, in such detail - it's like you're explaining all the secret, missing ingredients! You have very current knowledge of how modern tennis is played at the highest level, as well as a natural ability to communicate this information to your students. (Including those of us that are not there!) I usually just wander by and drop in to watch a lesson every now and again, but after this... *I'M SUBSCRIBING!* See you again, and soon! - JD, Montreal (Canada)
Just wanted to come back here to say thank you for such a great lesson! I watched this video a couple of weeks ago, and it's made the world of difference to my slice. I previously had the racket face way too open and the ball always sat up too high with no penetrative or depth. You're the best coach on UA-cam Nik, I'm getting so much out of all your lessons, so thanks again!
After watching this video , analyzing why I hit slices , with the ball contact point was always at the front , I felt that it was comfortable for me to contact in such manner due to my swing path , directing the ball to where I intended to , but it has caused the ball to fly. I think because my stance was too open. I hv to close my stance as if I m hitting a text book backhand , enabling to delay the shot (with conti grip ., And hit down , instead of trying to follow through under the ball like I m used to . (Unlike the normal back hand drive , you can hit the ball at the front bcos you can change the grip and brush the ball still ). . I m reminding myself here . I hope I m right . Can't wait to try this . All the tips are inside this video . Again , this is a great video folks . Thks coach .
3:22 How to make the racket face neutral (without consciously trying) 4:11 Slow-motion footage 5:14 Old forward slice vs modern u-shaped slice 6:49 Don't use your wrist 9:03 You can hit the slice very hard when your technique is good 9:26 Fast acceleration increases backspin & has no less control 9:44 Backspin slows the ball down and makes bounce lower
I just signed up for a few tennis lessons to fix my nonexistent backhand slice amongst other things. And then this shows up. Amazing lesson as usual. Good seeing shamir picking it up this quick. There's hope for me too lol.
Great video Nick !!! Can't wait to try this out. This technique looks so much easier than some of the other videos on slice that you see saying to go forward into the ball and use a "safe motion" with both arms and have the racquet face up at the end. Shamir picked it up so quick !!!
I would have loved to have this kind of coaching when I played tennis at an earlier age. This guy loves the sport and you can see his energy radiating off of him.
Great coaching!!! Nik's slice backhand is awesome in the video. I just want to add something on Shamir's slice backhand... he has to copy Nik's left hand and both shoulder blades to separate in opposite direction at the end of the follow through just like how Nik was doing.
Well, he already has a one-handed topspin backhand, so he is a step ahead of the game (and playing like an enlightened and elegant player). I love when two-handed backhand mouth breathers struggle to do a decent slice backhand.
@@lukas.540 It's not bad, per se, just clumsy and inelegant looking. I always say, 'the two-handed backhand is to tennis what snowboarding is to skiing.'
"The more rotation you create the lower the ball bounces" - now I know this it makes perfect sense. It seems I need to become more aggressive. Thanks for that awesome lesson.
@@stefakker9175 the only time it is a liability is if you play against an aggressive net player and you have to pass off of the backhand. Slice is hard to lob and pass with.
Thank you for showing us this great technique and drills! I have noticed that hitting the ball "latter" is also an advantage when you are facing a tuff situation at the court, being attacked by your opponent. Indeed, this gives you a little bit more time to rebound the ball in a very aggressive/defensive manner.
Great lesson but the grip also needs to change like you said - Continental grip is key - delayed contact back results in down the line, forward contact cross-court. Topspin was very hard to create with wood rackets, slice was more natural (I know, I'm that age - played with wood racket in college/on tour. Again, excellent information. JS
Awesome instructions! I have the same issues on my backhand slice that Shamir had at the beginning of this video. Can't wait to try out your tips the next time I hit. 👍🏻
Man, this is so critical, i see people all the time and they don't really know how to hit through the ball but also don't know how to slice or think it is not an effective offensive shot. Crap back in the day my hitting partner and I trained forehand to backhand slice several times a week, of course really focusing on getting the ball deep and low but we also worked on even chip and charge of of big flat first serves. damn, what has happened to Tennis in the States? thanks for the vids, at least that's a help.
Great lesson and this might be silly but THANK YOU for using a proper microphone. Most tennis channels have so much wind noise in their videos when they’re talking that I can impossibly watch them without getting a headache :)
I haven't managed to try it in a game yet, but I practised some slices against the wall yesterday, after watching a number of Meike Babel's videos on the slice. After utterly failing at slicing the day before, when my coach was explaining it, I got amazing results. Great power - which I'm not used to, probably my most powerful shot now - and actually quite accurate. It's insane what difference a good explanation makes. The timing you mention in this video is a great point, though. I don't know if Meike didn't mention it or if I just missed it, but that is something I will keep in mind going forward. I've made some slice-adjacent shots in games before, mostly as a kind of "deep dropshot", aimed at catching my opponents off guard. It is effective at my level, but I don't like it - it's very dangerous against an opponent who can read it. Now I can hopefully hit some proper slices.
Nice vid, I will try this lesson. I find using a heavy racket such as prostaff 90 really improved the slice, as oppose to using pure aero where my slice always float.
Excellent video Nick, thanks! I would also be interested someday in a video about the forehand slice: when to use it and why it's not as common as the backhand slice. By the way, training on the wall a lot has improved my slice tremendously.
That is incredible. Of course Shamir is a better player than me but, to learn the slice so quickly! I have been trying to hit my slice like that for years!!!
One-handed backhand lesson with Shamir 👉 ua-cam.com/video/KYGjXtr5Lys/v-deo.html
You are a hell of a teacher! We have to praise you for the excelent way u have in a few minutes turned a ridiculous slice into a killer one.
HIS LEFT FOOT needs to be more planted when he hits the slice.
So descriptive lesson. Where do you primarily teach?
What a quick and beautiful improvement. Congrats to both!
i was just talking with a guy i play with sometimes and he was asking me about a slice backhand and i told him to hit through the ball straight ahead like a rosewall slice but i said i am not sure if that is right i told him to find out for sure to go to your videos on youtube and that is exactly what he did problem solved thank you
This is what happens when a coach loves his job like you literally transformed his slice . unbelievable!
nah, this is what happens when video is staged.
@@Goglinek It's interesting that you think this is staged, and that you don't think a few small adjustments to technique can make an enormous difference.
WOW!! Incredible how you transformed his slice in 10 min lesson!!!!
You definitely have more time with larger faced rackets of today to time the high to low across the body slice of today. When the relatively tiny faced old school rackets from 50 years ago were used to make slice, your timing needed to be really good to take that much of a high to low and across the body swing at the ball without framing the ball into or over the fence. Very interesting how advancements in technology shapes technique and ultimately how the game is played. I learned and, for several years, taught “old school” tennis years ago, and was starting to incorporate some of Borg’s and Vilas’ techniques into my game…turning my grip over a bevel to two and swinging more low to high in a bigger loop to hit a more aggressive topspin lob, change the pace with a heavy moon ball, use morel topspin for higher percentage approach shots. Back problems a career change and 35 years later I’m playing again. It’s been so cool to witness how the game has changed through the years. Ultimately, I think old-schoolers like me can always learn and improve parts of their games by adopting small doses of today’s game that can help them (particularly against the heavy topspin ball these friggin kids hit today😉)and today’s players might consider using a continental grip sometimes for some touch shots in “no-man’s land”, around the net, some defensive lobs when the ball’s gotten behind you, countering slice with slice on both sides, and sometimes driving approach shots and slice also on the forehand side. Basically, just be Roger Federer and you’re all good😎
No no. The coach taught every pro tips and made my slices better than ever. He's unreal.
What a great lesson. Take the ball deep (which gives you more time too, defensive), flat face, don't flex wrist, full swing arc down-up. Student got it right away.
formica shoulder turn very important as is still wrist power comes from arm shoulder not wrist
I have never seen the slice explained like this, in such detail - it's like you're explaining all the secret, missing ingredients! You have very current knowledge of how modern tennis is played at the highest level, as well as a natural ability to communicate this information to your students. (Including those of us that are not there!)
I usually just wander by and drop in to watch a lesson every now and again, but after this... *I'M SUBSCRIBING!* See you again, and soon! - JD, Montreal (Canada)
Great coach. Constructively critical, teaches then massive compliments at end. That's good pedagogy technique to keep student motivated
But compliments come very easy teaching such a student! 😅😂
by far the best coaching channel ive seen on youtube
Just wanted to come back here to say thank you for such a great lesson! I watched this video a couple of weeks ago, and it's made the world of difference to my slice. I previously had the racket face way too open and the ball always sat up too high with no penetrative or depth.
You're the best coach on UA-cam Nik, I'm getting so much out of all your lessons, so thanks again!
🙏
❤
Amazing, I almost cant believe it. This video is so good this is going to change the way i play tennis thank you very very much.
After watching this video , analyzing why I hit slices , with the ball contact point was always at the front , I felt that it was comfortable for me to contact in such manner due to my swing path , directing the ball to where I intended to , but it has caused the ball to fly. I think because my stance was too open.
I hv to close my stance as if I m hitting a text book backhand , enabling to delay the shot (with conti grip ., And hit down , instead of trying to follow through under the ball like I m used to . (Unlike the normal back hand drive , you can hit the ball at the front bcos you can change the grip and brush the ball still ). . I m reminding myself here . I hope I m right . Can't wait to try this .
All the tips are inside this video .
Again , this is a great video folks . Thks coach .
Can’t wait to try it. That is an incredibly easy way to understand the slice from the baseline.Thank u
Nice job Shamir and great coaching Nik
Dan Evans has this on repeat 😂🇬🇧
yes lmfao
Damn! Those slices at the end of the video... Great job!
I have to smile at the quality of those slices at the end.
💯
these 4.5 NTRP level videos you're doing are really amazing! keep 'em coming por favor
It is the best to come again to watch it again as always some new detail sinks in
The best coach on YT period.
This is best lesson on the web on the modern slice backhand. Great job!,,,
Thank you very much for your UA-cam channel. You give us poor guys advanced free lessons and I really appreciate it.
So good to hear from you about how to hit the slice. Bravo
Shamir has Now a better slice than Federer....a great weapon....a great Lesson...thank you Nick..a wonderful lesson
😂 but no
3:22 How to make the racket face neutral (without consciously trying)
4:11 Slow-motion footage
5:14 Old forward slice vs modern u-shaped slice
6:49 Don't use your wrist
9:03 You can hit the slice very hard when your technique is good
9:26 Fast acceleration increases backspin & has no less control
9:44 Backspin slows the ball down and makes bounce lower
I just signed up for a few tennis lessons to fix my nonexistent backhand slice amongst other things. And then this shows up. Amazing lesson as usual. Good seeing shamir picking it up this quick. There's hope for me too lol.
I absolutely love you show before/after the lesson. The improvements are always so apparent.
This is a free tip for all kinds of players. What a benevolent act..!
Just tried. This tip-slice the ball at the tip of the inside foot- really works.
Great coaching, really great, and Shamir kicked butt! Quick learner. Really enjoyed this lesson, nice job guys!
Dan Smith u shape swing with the face of racquet about 89 degree very important
backhand slice is my weakest shot by far and I have struggled a lot with it. Thanks so much for this video! I can't wait to try out the tips
Great video Nick !!! Can't wait to try this out. This technique looks so much easier than some of the other videos on slice that you see saying to go forward into the ball and use a "safe motion" with both arms and have the racquet face up at the end. Shamir picked it up so quick !!!
Excellent lesson. And Samir was hitting some monster slice in no time!
I would have loved to have this kind of coaching when I played tennis at an earlier age. This guy loves the sport and you can see his energy radiating off of him.
Great coaching!!! Nik's slice backhand is awesome in the video. I just want to add something on Shamir's slice backhand... he has to copy Nik's left hand and both shoulder blades to separate in opposite direction at the end of the follow through just like how Nik was doing.
You’re probably the best tennis coach out there. Thank you Coach! Have a great week!!!
the change in the min 10 is absolutely INSANE
Well it was edited down to 10 minutes but still impressive to transform the slice within one session/
Wow, he learn fast. Great coaching
I watch a lot of tennis videos, yours is the best. Thanks for coaching the amateurs like me.
Ending the video with a smile. Really good teaching even through the screen
Shamir's slices at the end are unreal. My jaw dropped when he hit 5 in a row like that, after a short lesson correcting technique.
Well, he already has a one-handed topspin backhand, so he is a step ahead of the game (and playing like an enlightened and elegant player). I love when two-handed backhand mouth breathers struggle to do a decent slice backhand.
@@robertorolfo why do you think a 2-handed backhand is a bad thing?
@@lukas.540 It's not bad, per se, just clumsy and inelegant looking. I always say, 'the two-handed backhand is to tennis what snowboarding is to skiing.'
Wow! At the end of the video he was hitting a very good slice! Teacher did a good work.
Amazing coach. By far some of the best lessons to be seen on youtube.
Good job Shamir, that was impressive how fast you adapted.
"The more rotation you create the lower the ball bounces" - now I know this it makes perfect sense. It seems I need to become more aggressive. Thanks for that awesome lesson.
I started playing tennis recently and this is definitely going to help me with my slice. Thanks
On another note. I have seen players with just slice win tournaments at 4.5 level. And do well against low 5.0 players.
HingeMethod look at Graf slice a work of art
Steve Johnson is proof you can even go pro, it's not optimal but 100% viable at amateur / semi-pro level
@@stefakker9175 the only time it is a liability is if you play against an aggressive net player and you have to pass off of the backhand. Slice is hard to lob and pass with.
Best instructions on slice
Thank you for showing us this great technique and drills! I have noticed that hitting the ball "latter" is also an advantage when you are facing a tuff situation at the court, being attacked by your opponent. Indeed, this gives you a little bit more time to rebound the ball in a very aggressive/defensive manner.
Wow . Best alice tips ever . Tqvm . I will try it out over this weekend
Great explanation of old school vs modern slice. Fantastic coach and a willing student.
This is an unbelievably helpful lesson! It has transformed the way I think of how to hit a slice.
Right when I was about to ask about wrist usage... @6:50 right on cue
Great lesson but the grip also needs to change like you said - Continental grip is key - delayed contact back results in down the line, forward contact cross-court. Topspin was very hard to create with wood rackets, slice was more natural (I know, I'm that age - played with wood racket in college/on tour. Again, excellent information. JS
Awesome instructions! I have the same issues on my backhand slice that Shamir had at the beginning of this video. Can't wait to try out your tips the next time I hit. 👍🏻
Best backhand slice lesson I’ve watched… I’m headed to the lab this afternoon with my new objective!
Excellent lesson. Can’t wait to try this. Dude was hitting wicked slice in 5 minutes
I really enjoy these videos. Thanks for your lessons.
great to see it all drop in place at the end - great deep, low slice - winner !
1:51 lol! This is why I love this game so much. It couples chess and athletic ability together perfectly.
Superb coaching. I learned so much in just a few minutes! And great progress from Shamir.
Absolutely amazing progress, with a great student and an amazing coach. Brilliant! Thanks for this upload. Intuitive Tennis indeed.
Thank you
Lovely teacher and a lovely alumni too , I enjoy watching your videos, thanks ❤️
This was actually incredibly helpful, thanks a ton!
Glad to hear it!
what a crazy good slice in the end! WOW!
These videos are incredibly helpful, thank you so much!
High to low. Contact point not to far from the body. Great advice. Can't wait to try it out! Thanks!
Man, this is so critical, i see people all the time and they don't really know how to hit through the ball but also don't know how to slice or think it is not an effective offensive shot. Crap back in the day my hitting partner and I trained forehand to backhand slice several times a week, of course really focusing on getting the ball deep and low but we also worked on even chip and charge of of big flat first serves. damn, what has happened to Tennis in the States? thanks for the vids, at least that's a help.
Thank you for posting this video. I've never seen a slice backhand video explained so clearly. I'm going to try it next time I'm on the court.
8:21 HEY! HE SAID THE THING!
So good explanation to understand the backhand slice.
THanks a lot
Best online coach ever. Thanks, seriously
🙏🙏
Excellent, great lesson Nick. 👏🏻💪🎾
Coach you 've helped me a lot with your tips. I can't tell you how greatful I am. Keep up the good work.
🙏🙏
That is great! I have not heard before. Thank you!
I love this trainer lessons, so much valuable content explained perfectly by a great trainer, keep it up Nick!
Great channel. Very useful and practical advice.
Great lesson and this might be silly but THANK YOU for using a proper microphone. Most tennis channels have so much wind noise in their videos when they’re talking that I can impossibly watch them without getting a headache :)
What a ridiculously good coaching lesson on the slice. I feel so confident now, TY! lol
He is an amazing coach, I learned a lot from this video!!
On-point articulating the matter. Great Channel. More please. maybe on inside out? Happy new year
Best channel in tennis
Great coaching ! this is much more powerful slice backhand than the old way
amazing explanation on the backhand slice!!!
This is exactly like I hit my slices, but now I know how to hit them with more power.
Thanks so much!
i am gonna try this one, nice tips
Awesome lesson!! very helpful
I haven't managed to try it in a game yet, but I practised some slices against the wall yesterday, after watching a number of Meike Babel's videos on the slice. After utterly failing at slicing the day before, when my coach was explaining it, I got amazing results. Great power - which I'm not used to, probably my most powerful shot now - and actually quite accurate.
It's insane what difference a good explanation makes.
The timing you mention in this video is a great point, though. I don't know if Meike didn't mention it or if I just missed it, but that is something I will keep in mind going forward.
I've made some slice-adjacent shots in games before, mostly as a kind of "deep dropshot", aimed at catching my opponents off guard. It is effective at my level, but I don't like it - it's very dangerous against an opponent who can read it. Now I can hopefully hit some proper slices.
Nice vid, I will try this lesson. I find using a heavy racket such as prostaff 90 really improved the slice, as oppose to using pure aero where my slice always float.
Great video, thanks for sharing
This works perfect for me. Feel a lot more confident with my backhand now as I can mix it up. Cheers
Excellent video Nick, thanks! I would also be interested someday in a video about the forehand slice: when to use it and why it's not as common as the backhand slice. By the way, training on the wall a lot has improved my slice tremendously.
Thank you, I will make forehand slice...
Jonathan not a natural shot as the body gets in the way on forehand side
@@kiwi123467 Great point.
I really like this series with Shamir it's the perfect level of improvement in each video, not too much to work on as he's already good player.
this was the biggest level up though!!
EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION COACH!! ILL TRY THAT NEXT TIME ON THE COURT!! 👍👍👍⭐👏👏🎾🎾🎾🎾
I could´t believe it till I saw de slow motion ...... I thought you were hitting the ball with an open racket face ;-D
Awesome explanation
Great coaching
Amazing tips! Congrats! Great job!
Awesome session.. So many good tips. I keep coming back again. Great slices by shamir!
🙏🙏
This is very good! Extremely helpful as I struggle with slice myself!
best coach on UA-cam hands down
That is incredible. Of course Shamir is a better player than me but, to learn the slice so quickly! I have been trying to hit my slice like that for years!!!