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Tennis Strategies And Tactics: When You Should And Should NOT Slice

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Many recreational and league players already know how to slice the ball, but only a small percentage know how to use it correctly. Rather, they just slice it whenever they feel like it, which probably does work sometimes. What those players don’t know, however, is that there are times when it is the optimal shot to use, and then there are times when it is the worst.

These are the most common singles and doubles situations in which you should slice:

When changing the pace

During fast and furious topspin rallies is a great time to throw in a deep, low slice at your opponent’s feet. The ball will be slower and have lots of spin and a low bounce, giving you a little time to snag some oxygen and get back into position. More often than not, a rec player (especially lower level) will also return with slice, giving you another second or two more to figure out your next plan of attack.

When transitioning from the baseline to the net

If you’ve got an opponent who camps out at the baseline because they hate coming in to the net, force them in with a low, mid-court slice or drop shot. Be sure and follow it in because they will be hustling to get it. Unless your opponent is Roger or Serena, the return will likely be a high ball with little or no pace… perfect pickings for your killer angled volley!

When blocking back a hard serve

Sometimes you get a rocket serve and have no time for a proper backswing for a topspin return, putting you in defensive mode right off the bat. That’s the perfect time to use the pace from the serve and, with a shorter backswing, block the ball back with a slice deep into the court. To keep it as low as possible, make sure you don’t open your racquet face too much.

Don’t stay where you are, and watch your ball to see if it’s going deep. Get back into position as quickly as possible while watching your opponent. If they stay back, you know the return will be a groundie. If they are moving forward with their racquet at or above their shoulder, your return is short, and they will attack it, and you will need to be ready to defend as best as you can. Blocking back with a deep (the key word is: DEEP) slice keeps you in the point and allows you to get into offensive mode.

When you notice your opponent has difficulty returning it

Many lower-level rec players don’t like the slice. Typically, they wait for every ball to come to them after it bounces, and the bounce from a slice is already low. By the time it does get to them, they can’t get under it to hit a topspin or even flat groundie, so they typically slice it back high and with little pace. Lower-level players rarely run around the ball, so they slice away at their backhand. More often than not, the return will be a floater or shallow lob, so be ready to move forward and be aggressive with either your overhead or swinging volley if it’s mid-court or angled volley if it’s closer to the net.

Tips for when you do slice:

  1. Be mindful of your grip changes. You do not want to change your grip to continental at the last minute, as that could lead to a bad shot and a possible winner return for your opponent.
  2. Bend your knees for optimal control.
  3. Keep your racquet face open and get it up so you can bring it down and brush under the ball as you push forward and through it.
  4. Remember the technical differences of each type of slice (deep, mid-court, and drop-shot), most importantly, the differences in backswing for each, and how much and how quickly you will need to open your racquet face.
  5. Practice all the different slices from different parts of the court with a ball machine and/or in your practice matches. This will not only help you perfect your shot execution, but it will also help you build muscle memory so you will be better prepared to use them well when it counts.

Of course, you can use the slice at almost any time. The type you choose just depends on what your strategy or goal is. Be that as it may, a slice can also set you up for failure.

When you should NOT slice:

  • When you are away from the net and the ball is at or above your shoulder.
  • When you are at or behind the baseline, NEVER attempt a drop shot – unless you are Roger Federer. Dropshots require time to prepare and finesse to execute well; if a bullet is coming at you, you have neither. If you must slice from back there, keep it low and aim deep – at least mid-court, but preferably near the baseline.
  • When you are on your back foot and can’t transfer your weight forward
  • When your opponent is at the net. This one is pretty obvious, but sometimes players think they can still get one past their opponent. Slices tend to float, so you must be very cautious here. The only slice you should use in this situation is the slice lob.

These are just some tips to consider when using the slice. Practice and try them out in a match, and then come back and tell us how they worked!



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Swiss Sportswear Brand On Announces New Tennis Apparel Collection – and We Can’t Wait!

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For a year, tennis fans have only been able to ogle the On tennis apparel worn by World No. 1 Iga Świątek and up-and-comer Ben Shelton. But get this — next month you’ll be able to sport your own On outfits on the courts!

On’s Tennis Apparel Collection: Elevating Performance and Style

on tennis apparel collection

On, the Swiss sportswear brand, recently announced that it will be serving up its first-ever racquet-sports collection in April, marking a significant milestone for the brand’s presence in the game.

The On Tennis Apparel Collection represents a major milestone in the brand’s dedication to premium, innovative product on and off the court. Drawing on the brand’s close collaboration with tennis stars like Iga Świątek and Ben Shelton, the collection combines cutting-edge materials with thoughtful design, ensuring athletes experience unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement.

The tennis world was absolutely buzzing last year when On announced that it had signed Świątek and Shelton to head-to-toe sponsorship deals. It was awesome to see them join the ranks of a team that includes the legendary Roger Federer as an investor.

Fan-ticipation of the new collection is off the charts because fans haven’t been able to get their hands on the outfits the players have been wearing. We know it will live up to the hype, too, because Świątek, Shelton and even newcomer, João Fonseca have been working closely with On, providing feedback and insight to ensure that this new collection is a smash hit.

Ben Shelton

The On Tennis Apparel Collection combine state-of-the-art materials with a sophisticated design that offers athletes unrivalled comfort and freedom of movement.

Key features

  • Breathable materials: The collection features advanced moisture-wicking technology to keep players cool and dry during intense matches.



  • Dynamic fit: Tailored to optimise performance, the pieces offer a snug yet flexible fit that allows players to move effortlessly on the court.



  • Style meets function: Convincing performance should not come at the expense of style. The tennis apparel line offers sleek, modern designs that make a statement.

The On Tennis Apparel Collection is comprised of 17 pieces across apparel and footwear, all designed with sleek, modern designs that make a statement while being snug yet flexible for ease of movement around the court. From Shelton’s pink and white tank to Świątek’s signature two-piece sets, the collection has been designed to go from on-court to off-court with ease.

In a statement, Świątek shared:

The design and advanced technology not only enhance my comfort during matches but also empowers me to perform at my best while feeling confident.


Iga Świątek

on tennis apparel collection

On’s new line of racquet sports apparel will debut in Europe on April 1, 2024. It will hit North Amer and online at On.com in North America on April 5.

THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro: Elevating Everyday Tennis

THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro

While waiting for the Tennis Apparel Collection, tennis fans can take advantage of another On offering to pair with the upcoming apparel. In collaboration with Federer, On recently dropped THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro tennis shoe—its first on-court model designed for casual but competitive players. Think of it as the perfect middle ground between its premier performance shoe THE ROGER Pro—worn by players like Shelton in professional competition—and the heritage off-court style from other “Roger” models. It’s also compatible with all racquet sports—or, as Federer himself put it: “Tennis, padel, or even, dare I say it, pickleball.”

Key Features

  • Underfoot Cushioning: With more cushioning than THE ROGER Pro, THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro features a combination of soft foam and the award-winning CloudTec ® sole that feels exceptionally light.



  • Hidden Speedboard ®: Providing extra stability without compromising dynamic movements, the hidden Speedboard ® at the heel and midfoot enhances on-court performance.



  • Herringbone Outsole: The full herringbone outsole provides proven traction and grip on-court, ensuring stability during every match.

In addition to THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro, On is launching THE ROGER Kids and THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro Youth, catering to the younger generation and providing the same technology and comfort in a casual, sleek, gender-neutral and court-inspired sneaker.

THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro is currently for purchase at On.com and in stores and sports retailers worldwide.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4Is6fDNKb9/?hl=en


 





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8 Great Tips To Keep Opponents From Attacking A Weak Backhand

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Every tennis player has a weaker side (even the pros), and it’s usually the backhand side. This is especially true for recreational league players. And though your opponents might try and attack it without mercy, that’s no reason to throw in the towel.

Here are some proven tips which can help you not only disguise and strengthen your backhand but also win more matches!

Accept It

Your backhand is weak, so admit it and accept it, and STOP trying to rip winners like you do with your forehand. You don’t have nearly the same control, and therefore the risk of hitting it long, into the net, or right into your opponent’s strike zone far outweighs your hope of hitting a winner. Take off some pace, and hit it deep. Yes, you can still hit it deep without so much pace, and you’ll keep yourself in the point.

Nip It In The Bud

You should always be looking for your opponents’ weaknesses, and a great place to start is during the warm-up. How is their forehand? How do they handle their backhands, overheads, and volleys? Sure, that’s only the warm-up, so watch how they return those during the match, and how well they move on the court. Soon, you’ll discover their weakness(es). Attack those right off the bat, and there won’t be many opportunities to go after your backhand.

Run Around It

Keep your shots deep during a rally, and you’ll have an extra second or two (which is a lot in tennis time) to prepare for the return shots. And if one of them happens to be a backhand, you’ll have a little more time to run around it and hit a forehand.

Return To Sender

In doubles, DON’T go for a down the line winner. Return the ball in the same direction from which it came – and as deep as possible. This will force your opponent to hit one more ball and keep you in the point until you have the opportunity to run around it and rip a winner. In singles, hit the ball up the middle, and deep. This will shorten the angles of your opponent.

Less Is More

Avoid going for too much of an angle cross court when you play your backhands. Hitting an angle is asking for an angle in return (especially in doubles), and you’ll find it harder to avoid backhands if you get into that kind of rally.

Develop Other Weapons Of Mass Destruction

So you have a weak backhand. So what? You’ve got a pretty good forehand, and an even better net game – so work on developing those into weapons that will keep your opponents on the defense and help you avoid those backhands!

Practice Makes Perfect

Every tennis player can use some practice. Just look at the pros–they practice for hours EVERY DAY! Carve out a little “me time” every week and practice hitting backhands with a partner, or ball machine, or even a wall. This won’t make your backhand your strongest stroke, but it will become more reliable and consistent, and you know what they say about consistency. Consistency wins the race game!

Watch The Pros

Believe it or not, you can learn a lot about playing tennis simply by watching the pros. Study their games and learn their weaknesses, and then watch what happens when those weaknesses are attacked. Look for the variety of tactics they use to go from a defensive position to an offensive one.

Don’t worry about the limitations of your backhand. Follow these tips and not only will you have a more consistent backhand that you can rely on to keep you in the point, but you’ll be able to play more offensively, more often, and win more matches!

Which tips worked for you? We’d love to hear about it! Please share in the comments section below 🙂



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Positive Self-Coaching: How to Play Your Best Game

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How would you like it if, when you made an error on the court, your coach started screaming at you from the sideline, “You idiot!” or “What a moron!” or something even worse? My guess is that you wouldn’t like it at all. Seriously, no one needs a coach like that! And no one should self-coach like that, either.

What made me think of this actually happened last weekend during a doubles strategy drill at my club. One of the ladies, whom I’ll call “Barb,” was very verbal about her own play when she made a mistake. She cussed and called herself an idiot, a loser, and a few other names I won’t mention here. And if you guessed that the self-coaching abuse didn’t improve her game one bit, then you’re absolutely right! As a matter of fact, it made her play worse.

Look… I know that it’s all too easy to go there, to criticize ourselves when we make a mistake. However, the constant stream of self-deprecation will eventually have a negative effect on how we feel about ourselves and our performance.

So, DON’T do it!!

With the power of positive self-talk, we can change that negative mindset. Instead of telling yourself, “You suck!” or “You can’t even get the ball over the net!” tell yourself this: “Take a deep breath and calm down. Use your high-percentage shots with heavy topspin to get the ball over the net. If you mess up, don’t sweat it. Tell yourself, “You’ll get the next one!” or “You can do this!”

Positivism will allow you to focus on the present rather than dwell on the last or previous points. It will also create a positive mental state, which is necessary for optimal performance.

If you’re going to self-coach, use words of encouragement and motivation when errors have you feeling down or angry, and don’t forget to praise yourself for all the good points you play. Be the coach that you would like to have sitting in your corner!








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