How to Hit a Slice Serve in Tennis

A quick summary of how to hit a slice serve in the game of tennis.

Steps

1
Hold your racket with an eastern backhand or continental grip (see Tennis Grips page for complete listing)
2
Line up your shoulders so that they point in the direction you want to hit, with your non-dominant side closer to the net.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Toss the ball (with your non-dominant hand) somewhat close to your head. Make sure it does not go over the baseline and its not behind you.^{[2]
X
Research source}
4
Hit the outside of the ball (the part farthest from you), slicing (hence the name) around and very slightly under the ball.^{[3]
X
Research source}
5
Your arm should be straight at contact and you should follow through on your non-dominant side
6
Your serve should curve to your non-dominant side (a right-handed slice serve curves left, etc.)

Advertisement

Warm up your arm before swinging hard. Remember: you can hit a few soft serves and win a match or slam the first serve you hit and mess up your arm for a long time!

Thanks!
Helpful 12 Not Helpful 2
Don't hit too much under the ball, as it will not give you much power or it will also might make it go out. That's a sort of handicap to help you get over the net. You should try not to cut under the ball, if possible.

Thanks!
Helpful 14 Not Helpful 6