Hit A Perfect Backhand Slice Return In 7 Steps (Technique Explained)

[@Sensimuse]

Great video, it’s always helpful to see the mechanics of the shot broken down from step to step. My backhand slice has been a weapon of mine since I started playing since I have a lot of table tennis experience that transfers over really well, specifically for applying backspin and slicing.

[@primetimepickleball]

Nice! It definitely helps when you come into it with skills already in your back pocket.

[@bobleming5673]

Yep, as a Long Pip Table Tennis Player this came naturally to me 😊

[@pahu47]

This is a great in-depth instructional video Thanks-I can’t wait to go hit a couple hundred balls with the machine

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome!

[@Diegocurt73]

Just excellent training. Spacing is so under taught and under analyzed. Spacing requires hitting a lot of balls, working on your movement, and “seeing” the ball come off the other players paddle for improved anticipation and getting into a position to hit most of your balls from your strike zone. The rest is technique and conditioning. Excellent!!!!

[@primetimepickleball]

So true, glad this came across. It's something that can be mastered but yes...needs work for sure.

[@roven111]

I have an honest question Why don’t you have a DUPR rating ? I can’t find it Btw great videos

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks. I have a pretty bad chronic injury which has kept me out of competitive play unfortunately.

[@didaugherty2731]

I have a tear in my rotator cuff and have been to P.T. (no surgery)..... I've been playing through it and was wondering if a slice backhand return of serve would be easier on the shoulder? It appears to be the case from what I've seen.

[@primetimepickleball]

Show the motion of a slice to your doctor and as him. Generally, the slice is a more relaxed and easy motion.

[@jerrywade5299]

Awesome video. I feel one of your best yet. Great detail and easy to follow. We’ll done!!

[@primetimepickleball]

Appreciate that Jerry! Glad you liked it.

[@jimw6991]

Hi Nicole, I noticed your contact point seemed to be even or maybe even slightly behind right knee. If you were hitting topspin, I would expect you would be contacting in front of the right knee (closer to the net). If I am trying to correct my spacing and contact point (copy your good looking shot), do I want to make contact even with right knee, further away from net or closer to the net? Also seemed you are loading left leg, striking ball BEFORE right foot is touching down .... I am guessing that is part of transfer step as its clear from side angle camera your weight has shifted towards net as you are hitting. I loved this video, I use slice forehand more than slice backhand to return the serve slow, low, deep . This gets me (65 year old) all the way to NVZ before my opponents can hit at me. If I hit hard topspin or flat, my opponents ball is back at me before I am at NVZ so I end up trying to hit half volley from "no mans land". So I want to develop this good slice backhand return, just need a ball machine 😊. Thanks for posting.

[@primetimepickleball]

Hi Jim! You are correct… a flat or topspin drive would be contacted more out in front (towards net) and the slice contact point is even with knee or even slightly behind knee. You will want to do the same. The slice contact is generally struck later then topspin for everyone. You are also correct in that I don’t get my right leg down until after contact. This will be true most of the time when I’m seeking to hit a slower and loftier slice. If I were hitting an aggressive slice then I may get my right foot down earlier but it’s rare that you’d want to hit an aggressive slice in doubles pickleball. I love that you get great benefit from a slice return and it helps you get to that net. Great stuff! I hope I answered your question.

[@Prince_Gordon]

Thank you! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for since I somehow ended up sending a ton of backhand returns either straight into the air or smack dab into the middle of the net. Perfect breakdown. Now I just need to implement it so I can stop embarrassing my son when we play doubles…

[@primetimepickleball]

You’ll get there, keep tweaking. Great job!

[@rickbuttle2602]

Very detailed breakdown exactly what I’ve been looking for!! Excellent ,thank you!

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome, glad this is what you were looking for.

[@jimmyroller4465]

Your video improved my game tremendously. It gives me the time needed to get the kitchen line. My dinking game is going well and my opponents don’t dink it back to me. They feel I’m a wall on my side of the court. Thank you again for this video.

[@primetimepickleball]

So happy to hear this. Thanks for the comment.

[@glenross3093]

Very clear. Good detail. Professional instruction! Thanks!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@lilremylote]

I slice a vertical line with the paddle completely flat, lots of spin but I definitely need to slow it down. Opposite most of the time leave the ball on the net. I mix it with a couple of top spin and is deadly but really, once I started to slow my pace a little the spin got crazier. All about timing. Great Video 🎉🎉🎉❤😊

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks so much and for sharing your experience. Great stuff!

[@mikepetrandis8525]

If I’m miss hitting the ball, is that an issue of spacing or not watching ball into my contact sweet spot?

[@primetimepickleball]

If you’re miss hitting I’d practice with a slower incoming shot and start with working on watching into contact. Spacing could be an issue but probably secondary. Hard to say for sure without seeing it.

[@mitchandrus]

Good info. I'd like to see a backhand serve with a slice. Thanks

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@ianmacdonald5278]

Another awesome, detailed video. Great job!!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Ian! 😊

[@dineshshah1891]

Excellent tips. Thank you.

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clintroberts1]

Most pros aren't doing this any more. It provides free accelerated topspin for the 3rd shot (drop or drive).

[@primetimepickleball]

That's the latest thing that's being taught but pros are still using slice.

[@clintroberts1]

@@primetimepickleball maybe a few (and yes at the kitchen) but not very many on returns but yeah see Zane's video " why the pros arent using slice anymore"

[@nadinafiveland3266]

So good! Thank you!

[@primetimepickleball]

Cheers! 😊

[@AlKu-kq9iz]

Fantastic

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! 😊

[@dennismassey1940]

Great video!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@sixpoint3]

This is a joke , right ? This is pickle ball. 99% of players are with one foot in the grave They just want to pretend to exercise while they can.

[@primetimepickleball]

Not at all a joke and your statements are 100% not true.

[@glenross3093]

Im 64 yrs old. I play tennis and pickelball. Sometimes I get almost as much work out during pickelball as I do in tennis. Pickelball can be very competive and fast pace. I keep meeting more young players too.

[@jimw6991]

​@glenross3093 I play both tennis and Pickelball as well. I find I move consistently during Pickelball, many times in tennis doubles, especially when my partner is serving, I am mostly watching the point. Even if I time my poach my opponents are usually good at keeping it away from me so I don't bother. In PB, you and your partner are working to net on every point , regardless of who served. So court is smaller but different rules results in extra movement in PB you don't normally see in tennis. Not to mention the quick action you see at the net in PB on every point. So Nicole is taking her good footwork, transfer step, excellent mechanics and perfect spacing to show a not so athletic looking person can glide to the net after returning serve and be balanced at net waiting for her opponents to try and attack or hit an approach. My opinion, if you are older player and want to make game easier, start working on footwork, spacing and good mechanics. Cudos to Nicole for great instructional video, most have to pay 100 bucks for a lesson like this.

[@86309]

you just showed how much you do not know about the game. I hope you dont bring that attitude on the court with you....@sixpoint3

[@sixpoint3]

@@86309 Yes, A game it is, as opposed to other sports

[@AnnMitt]

🥹 thank you for this detailed instructional video. I learn more from KZbin than from my Rec Center lessons. 🙌

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad to hear it!