💡 Tactics and Technique 💡
Is slicing every volley really necessary?
I’ve noticed hitting flat along slice has actually helped me progress my game
Comments (17)
u/Lexzorz5w ago
No it is not.
33
u/Environmental-Path325w ago
This. When at the back defending most of the shots doesn't have spin.
-9
u/Goedelnummer5w ago
I think OP was talking about volleying at the net, that's my explanation.
Technically, you can volley, volley-block and volley-lob from farther back, so maybe reddit should give you the benefit of the doubt.
To clarify: there are varying opinions about slicing from the back, but most experienced players agree on flat/topspin is easier in defense (after bounce) to pull off, you'll make less errors and it's better than slicing. However, balls with certain height above ground from the back can be sliced - as long as we hit 9/10, who would complain about this shot choice.
1
u/st1dge5w ago
There's plenty of videos on this.
If you don't have time/fast ball: don't slice.
If the ball is rising: don't slice.
If you play a chancletazo, definitely don't slice.
If your slice comes at the cost of controlling depth and height: don't slice.
20
u/Nervous_Crab11435w ago
What do you mean by the ball is rising? From a ground stroke up? Lob?
1
u/st1dge5w ago
Yes. It could be an attempt at a fast lob that's slightly low. So you would simply have to block it downwards. If you would let such balls go, you would lose the net for nothing.
1
u/zemvpferreira5w ago
Slice is for volleys where you’re in a position to put pressure. Flat is for volleys where you’re being pressured or to hit a winner. That’s the basic rule of thumb.
Edit for completion: in places where there’s high humidity/dampnesse slice as little as possible. The ball slides off the racket and goes out more often than not, and doesn’t react with the wall properly. Flat is the way.
5
u/velacooks5w ago
Well it depends. How good and consistent is your slice? I’m in the lower intermediate world and whatever works for you do it.
However the occasions where I’ve played with top top tier players- they perfectly slice pretty much any thing and it’s so deadly accurate. Dead bounce at the glass, my feet etc. A real eye opener to the levels the game can go whenever I play with top players.
3
u/Ok_Economy94575w ago
A normal volley isn't sliced; a pure volley is a block. Slicing it would be a sliced volley. I'm a tennis coach venturing into padel.
1
u/former_farmer5w ago
Depends on your level. If you are a real intermediate player, 3.5+, you will want to slice 90% of your volleys. In lower levels sometimes flat might work more often.
1
u/mercynuts5w ago
I'm not good enough to slice something particularly well if it's hit at me hard but I will attempt slice for any volley that isn't merely a block
1
u/bachaterol5w ago
When I first started, slice was a totally new concept to me. It helped me a lot because almost all my volleys hit the back glass. It took me so long to learn the slice and I am still improving it.
Now, I am at a level where I have to pick between a slice and a flat volley based on where the opponent is. I got so used to it that it's become a habit to slice every volley but it sometimes doesn't help because the opponent at a higher level can return some of my sliced volleys, so a flat volley or chanclezato could be a more efficient way to kill the point and have the ball bounce front very fast.
1
u/jenwhite19745w ago
No, not only is it not necessary, it’s the wrong shot selection in many cases. This video of a session with Gustavo Pratto (Coello and Tapia’s coach) explains: https://youtu.be/XDmErm3xun4?si=l_AluGD5T6ToW44r
1