Similar to a forehand slice, a backhand slice will generate backspin on the pickleball. This backspin will cause the pickleball to be slower than your basic backhand drive, tend to cause the pickleball to lift or rise a little in the air, and could cause the pickleball to skip upon contact with the court surface and otherwise create difficulties for your opponents in trying to hit your shot. A backhand slice is a popular shot for a return of serve because you can push your opponents back toward the baseline, while allowing yourself a bit more time to move into the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen Line due to the slower trajectory of the backwards-spinning pickleball.

To hit a backhand slice, you will generally strike the pickleball in the same manner as your basic backhand drive (including the same preparation with a short backswing), with the following exceptions:

1. Paddle Trajectory – For your basic backhand drive, you generally are trying to keep your paddle head down by your waist and on a level plane through your shot. In contrast, for a backhand slice, you will pull your paddle head up by your non-paddle-side ear. This is because, in order to generate the proper backspin on your backhand slice, you will need to travel down and forward through the pickleball on an angle.

2. Paddle Angle – For your basic backhand drive, you will have a flat paddle face. In contrast, for your backhand slice, you will have a slightly open paddle face up toward the sky. This open paddle face—in combination with the high-to-low paddle trajectory—will generate your backspin on your backhand slice.

Remember, similar to your basic backhand drive, your contact point will be out in front of your body. Immediately prior to contact, you may consider taking a small step with your paddle-side foot in order to generate some power and momentum into your backhand slice.

Key Takeaways:

1. A backhand slice will generate backspin on the pickleball, which will cause the pickleball to travel slower, lift or rise a little in the air, and skip upon contact with the court surface.
2. To hit a backhand slice, use the same mechanics as your basic backhand drive, with the following exceptions:
a. Pull your paddle up by your non-paddle-side ear and hit down and forward through the pickleball on an angle; and
b. Open your paddle face toward the sky on this shot.
3. To generate some power and momentum into your backhand slice, immediately prior to contact, you may consider taking a small step with your paddle-side foot.