Slice Serve Progressions

In this video we’ll focus on getting a feel of the slice serve through a gradual approach that builds comfort and confidence.  

Start with Grip: 

Begin by choking up on your racquet while using the continental grip. This position will help you develop a better feel for the ball and your slice.  

Feel the Ball: 

Take your time to get accustomed to the motion. Focus on making contact by cutting the ball down and understanding how the slice motion affects the ball. Hit the ball downwards to the ground, catch it, and repeat. This can be done on or off the court.  

Move to Mid-Handle: 

Once you feel comfortable, adjust your grip by moving your hand down to the middle of the handle while keeping the continental grip. This allows for more control without losing your feel.  

Final Adjustment: 

As you gain confidence, transition to holding the racquet at the bottom with the continental grip. This is where you’ll start to execute your slice serve with full power and precision.  

In this video, you’ll elevate your game with a focused progression on the slice serve. You will be building on the downs progression from a previous lesson. 

Grip Technique:   

- Choke up on your racket using the continental grip.  

Arm Positioning:   

- Raise your dominant arm to position the racket behind your head.  

Ball Toss and Swing:   

- Toss the ball and swing across it to generate slice spin. 

Finding the Feel:   

- Emphasize developing a feel for the slice throughout this practice.    

Practice Positioning:   

- Start close to the net, then gradually move back to the baseline as you gain confidence.  

Grip Adjustments:    

- Begin with choking up, then transition to:    

- The middle of the handle    

- The bottom of the handle  

Focus on Practice:   

- Take your time to build your feel for the slice serve.   

- Don’t stress about getting the ball in the service box; focus on mastering the feel of the ball.