Neutralising with the defensive slice

Setup

1. P1 defends from one baseline; P2 attacks from the other.
2. Cones mark a deep zone across P2's court, about two metres inside the baseline.

How it runs

1. P2 starts with a feed and attacks P1's backhand corner with a heavy, wide forehand.
2. P1 must reply with a backhand slice; it scores a bonus point if it lands in the deep zone.
3. Once P1 has a ball they can drive, the point is neutral and either player can attack.
4. Play to 7, then swap roles.

Coaching points

• Stretch with a long last step; keep the racket face slightly open and lead with the edge.
• High to low, through the ball, long follow-through towards the target.
• Aim low over the middle of the net and deep; deep middle takes away P2's angles.
• The slice buys time, so use it to recover to the middle behind the baseline.
• When the next ball is neutral, step in and drive; don't stay in defence.

Common mistakes

• Chopping down on the ball so it floats or sits up short.
• Trying to hit a winner from the stretch.
• Watching the slice instead of recovering.