The Chop And Slice (Ground Strokes)

Definitions

The chop--a short axelike stroke, consisting of hitting down on the back of the ball. Back spin and short and low bounce are characteristic of the stroke. The racquet head is held high above the wrist throughout the stroke, and the wrist is locked.

The slice--a stroke similar to the chop except that the racquet swings down and to the outside of the ball with definite wrist action (abduction). The follow through is toward the ground, with the racquet head sweeping down to finish near the ground. The ball bounce is low and off to one side. (See Fig. 35).

The slice drive--an aggressive stroke which looks similar to the flat or top spin drive. It differs slightly in grip, spin, angle of the racquet face, or direction of the swing.

Fig. 35.—Dorothy Bundy: action sequence of backhand slice. (Photographs by Owen Reed. Courtesy of American Lawn Tennis, Inc.)

Uses

The chop--a defensive stroke used in returning a very fast ball or for drop shots when the opponent is far back of the baseline.

The slice--an aggressive stroke when used against a high bouncing ball to hit the ball in a downward direction.

The slice drive--used when side spin on the drive is desirable; especially effective on a surface which gives low bounces.

Analysis Of The Chop And Slice Ground Strokes

1. The chop ground stroke is similar to the chop volley and is used best against balls which bounce shoulder high.
 
The flight of the ball is slower and in more of an upward direction than the drive. Thus unless the chop is used to hit the ball downward over the net, it is an easy victim to the net player's volleys.

a. The racquet head is held high above the wrist throughout the stroke, and the wrist is locked.

2. The slice resembles the chop except that the follow through is longer, with the racquet head sweeping downward to finish near the ground. There is definite wrist action consisting of abduction, or wrist throw away from the body.

3. The slice drive resembles the flat drive but has the following variations (Fig. 35).

a. The grip is like the service grip, halfway between the eastern forehand and backhand grips, sometimes called the "continental grip." Thus the racquet face is slightly open during the swing.

b. The swing is more or less parallel to the ground, often finishing lower than the height of the backswing.

c. The racquet pulls across the back of and underneath the ball, imparting side spin to the ball.

d. The racquet face is slightly opened on the follow through as contrasted to the closed position of the racquet in the top spin drive, or the flat position in the spinless drive

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