Tennis slice vs topspin

I've recently started drilling on the slice backhand to complemet the topspin backhand I have been practicing. I am curious how better players choose to utilize a slice vs. topspin/flat backhand? It seems that the slice is easier to execute on high balls, but also very low balls. Do you use the slice backhand for most returns and reserve the topspin for winners? Or is the topspin backhand the preferred shot due to it's pace, with the slice reserved for difficult situations. I would say for myself, the difference between a poorly executed slice and a poorly executed toppin backhand are that a poorly executed slice goes high (uniintentional lob) but stays in where a poorly executed topspin either hits the net or goes long.

Basically, if I havethe time to set up and hit a topspin back hand I will. Other wise I slice it. Not that slicing is bad. In fact it is very reliable and easier to place than a topspin BH.

Topspin or flat drive most of your backhands and slice some for a change of pace and low balls. I definitely don't agree with slicing most backhands and reserving drives for a select few winners.

Well, my slice is a lot better than my topspin backhand, so I use it quite often. If I have plenty of time to set up I'll use my topspin backhand though. For approach shots I always use the slice.

I like to use the slice backhand cross court from the deuce side in doubles to chip and charge against a 2nd serve. I use the topspin backhand in singles. Both are very useful depending on the situation. For me the slice is used mainly to set up net play.

I tend to use my topspin backhand when my feet and the ball are in a good position, otherwise I'll use the slice. I'm more comfortable returning serves with the slice. For right handed opponents that are not comfortable at the net, I'll use the short angled cross court slice to their backhand to make them think about coming in or being stranded in No Man's land if they choose not to come in. Also, if I find that an opponent like's to use my pace against me, then he'll be getting a heavy dose of deep floating slices.

I'm probably the opposite of most people in this thread. My topspin 1hander is loads better than my slice. I probably hit about 90% topspin and the rest slice. I just time it much better when I'm swinging up and out on it.

One of my patterns against players that don't like to slice/don't have a good slice backhand:

I tend to slice more than backhand. I only do a topspin 1BH went I have enough time and not constrained. Merely because of a technique thing, I would prefer to do more topspin backhands.

what is BH? backhand...and when u say 1BH and so on about grips is the size?
(this part is off topic but i really want to know) can u give me some tips and videos how to play..right now i can only do a topspin and barely a 2 handed forehand and i can use backhand

Depends what play I am trying to pull off, a short slice that lands on the service line is killer to most people on faster courts if they havnt got good footwork.

For me it all depends on the moment, where am I at and what I want to do with the ball. If going against on back hand exchanges - I tend to go for topspin and at time going for a flat bh shot for winner. If I'm playing to change the pace of the match or change the direction of the ball - I would use slice. I also have use both topspin and slice to mix up my shot - pin my opponent to the back hand side and then going for a hard slice dtl to the backhand for winner.

One piece of advice. WHatever you decide to use at that moment - stick with it. Do what comes naturally, breath and relax. Getting tense up will only slow your reaction.

BB, when you approach off the backhand side, do you usually slice approach or topspin it? My slice approach on a short/non-aggressive ball isn't very good, but I have no trouble flattening it out dtl/cc and coming in. Trouble is, I often get my power redirected back at me, but if I slice it, I give my opponents too much time to set up a pass. Which one is the better choice?

On occasion, I can hit a more powerful backhand than forehand. The ball just barely clears the net with pace and spin. Otherwise I have a decent backhand.

Topspin or Slice BH As many have said, aside from when approaching, needing to speed up the recovery or wanting to mix the point up a bit, a slice is often used as a safety valve in tough situations, or when the ball is out of a player’s preferred strike zone. In “important” competitive situations, I would indeed advise using whatever is required to stay in the point, which may be a slice. However, unless you have really mastered all aspects of your game, in less critical matches I would say work on using your topspin BH in most all of those “emergency” circumstances, so you can expand its range of use. A lot of people think they don’t have enough time to prepare or position for a topspin BH, and so they slice. True, a slice BH can be prepared for very quickly and hit from less than optimal positions, but in reality I have found many students merely get spooked by a “dangerous” ball, which leads them to THINK they don’t have time to prepare for a topspin BH, when in fact they actually DO have time. As a result of this fear, they tend to only partially prepare . . . on fast balls they may take the racquet back only half way, and on wide balls they may take the racquet back behind the ball and not behind the body. If you work on making sure your backswing is correct, complete and BEFORE the bounce, you might be amazed at how much time you really do have and how effective your topspin BH can become in many of those tough situations where you once thought you had to slice. Having said all of that, I do love my slice.