Tennis · Backhand

Backhand slice and drive

Alternate a slice and a drive on the backhand side from a coach feed.

CP
Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
1–6
Age
U11+
Area
Full court
Equipment
basket of balls2 cones

Setup

  1. Coach at the net with a basket, a player on the backhand side baseline.

How it runs

  1. Feed one: drive; feed two: slice; keep alternating.
  2. Twelve balls, then rotate.
  3. Targets: deep crosscourt for the drive, short down the line for the slice.

Coaching points

  • Drive: low to high, hips rotate through.
  • Slice: high to low, racket face open, finish long.
  • Same preparation for both so it's disguised.

Common mistakes

  • Chopping down on the slice and floating it.
  • Driving with the arm only.

Say it: “Drive low-high, slice high-low.”

Make it harder

  • Player chooses which shot based on the feed height.
  • Live rally after the second ball.

Make it easier

  • Drive only for the first set.
  • Slower, higher feeds.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.