- Joan Hahn
- June 11, 2021
- Last Updated on
Using the slice serve technique draws your opponent too wide to the ad or the deuce side, which leaves an open court to keep them on the back foot.
The serving motion generates sidespin, causing the tennis ball to bounce farther away as it hits the outer side of the service box.
Learn how you can hit it in today’s guide!
5 Steps to Hit the Slice Serve Better
1. Choose the Right Grip
You use a continental grip. However, some experienced players use an eastern grip.
Using the continental grip allows a more natural slicing motion when you are performing the serve.
The good news about using the grip is that it works for tennis serves like the kick serve, flat serve, and other advantages. (1)
2. Make a High Serve
You need a high serve toss, which means you have to keep the tennis ball above the head.
Changing the course of your ball toss tells the opposing tennis player you are about to do something different.
Toss the ball about twelve to eighteen inches in front of you, which is six inches to the right of the shoulder of your tossing arm, so it enables natural contact with the tennis ball.
You may want to incline to toss the tennis ball farther right than what you should do in a flat serve for a more pronounced and established feel. We encourage you to learn how to properly do the slice backhand, too.
3. Position Your Body Properly
You need to adjust the angle by widening, so it’s swifter to hit the serve out wide. Position yourself far from the centerline to have more room to work with. It makes it easier for you to swing the target and use the natural angle.
However, it leaves a massive gap for the opposing player to play into when you do stand wide, meaning it’s not fit for a singles match.
As you gain more experience, move towards two to three feet inside the centerline.
4. Now, Slice the Tennis Ball
Using your dominant or hitting arm, use the wrist to cut around and slightly below the tennis ball side, which comes from high to low for an effective slice serve.
For right-handed players, the follow-through crosses the body to the left side to the deuce court, and vice versa for a left-handed player for the slice serves, which serves to the ad area of the tennis court.
5. Do Not Pronate Your Wrist
Avoid pronating the wrist as it causes it to flatly hit the contact point, meaning you have to keep the face of the racket in a chopping motion as you work to follow through.
FAQS
You hit a slice serve with the wrist to cut around the under the side of the tennis ball. It’s a good serve to choose for the ad side.
You hit the second slice serve by choosing the right grip, making a high serve, and slicing the tennis ball. It follows the same procedures as hitting a slice first serve. However, it does have more spin and less pace.
Is It Easy to Hit a Slice Serve?
Yes, it’s easy to hit a good slice serve. Slice serves, flat serves, kick serves, and the different serves are challenging at first. However, most players find it easy to develop over time by practicing different tennis drills.
A tennis slice serve is an effective serve that leaves the opponent guessing. If you return deep to the opponent’s weaker side, you’ll earn a point.
You can use the slice serve to target the middle of the service box, so the tennis ball goes to the opponent’s body at different speeds as it varies for the tennis players.
If you’re a right-handed player, it goes towards the deuce area and your non-dominant hand towards the ad court.
While it’s a great weapon, a good returner can pick up your swing and can return it, so be careful who to use it against as you may end up giving away free points.
References:
- https://livehealthy.chron.com/advantages-eastern-vs-continental-grip-tennis-5297.html
My slice serve goes too high over the net and many times lands outside lines. I get the curve on the
ball but it’s too high. I tried moving toss to the right more , or to front, etc. Everywhere. Once in
a great while (1 in 10) it’s a good slice. Still, I’m not sure where to really toss ball or even hit it (2 or 3
o’clock?) . Do I pronate or not? Seen both options mentioned.
I would try it pronated to start and see how that works for you. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks!