With its low, skidding bounce, the slice shot is a Wimbledon staple

While grass-court tennis favors big serves and blistering ground strokes, it also rewards players who mix in subtlety and finesse. Among the favored options at a player’s disposal is the slice. Whether setting the tempo of a point, turning the tables from a defensive position or as a finishing shot, the slice thrives on grass more than any surface.

Here’s why, and some tips on how to hit it properly:

Stays Low

Of all the surfaces, grass courts inherently produce the lowest bounce. So a good slice, which stays low by nature, is especially filthy. Opponents have to dig shots from around their shins, drawing weak replies and errors. It’s particularly useful against heavy topspin players who prefer to attack high-bouncing balls up in their strike zone.

Picks Up Speed

On grittier surfaces like clay, slices often bite into the court and actually slow down after the bounce. But on grass, it skids and accelerates. This makes it more difficult to track down and time. The uneven bounces on grass compound this effect, making even a moderately paced slice tricky to handle. Rather being a neutralizing or defensive shot, this makes a well-struck slice on grass more of an offensive weapon.

Transition Shot

Net play isn’t the essential ingredient of grass court tennis that it once was, but it’s still a highly effective tactic. The slice can play a key part of that strategy. Approaching behind a low, skidding slice—either deep in the court or short angle—puts opponents in a precarious spot. They have to bend down to hit the passing shot and elevate it just enough over the net to avoid giving a comfortable volley without committing an error. It's no accident that grass-court greats like Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova leaned of their slice shots to take command of the net.

Now that the slice's grass-court credentials have been established, here are some keys to hitting it effectively:

Change Grips

To hit a good slice, you’ll want to hold the racquet with a continental grip. Some players can get by with a slight turn toward an Eastern grip on either the forehand or backhand, but it’s suboptimal. A continental grip opens the racquet face slightly, but not so much that the ball will float or lose penetration, while still allowing for effective underspin.

Turn Shoulders and Square Stance

Sometimes the slice is hit out of necessity from an extreme defensive position. Technique is often compromised just to get the ball back in play. When this happens on a forehand it’s often called a “squash” or “hack” shot, and it’s a rather wristy stroke. However, when given time, it’s much more effective to rotate the upper body and square the stance—especially on the backhand. Watch a pro with a formidable backhand slice: their dominant shoulder is underneath their chin on the takeback, and their feet are perpendicular to the net.

Employ a Sensible Swing Path

Unlike topspin, where the racquet head rises up from below the level of the incoming ball, to impart underspin the racquet travels a high to low path. It’s key not to exaggerate the angle of attack. A chopping motion can create too much backspin and rob the shot of pace and depth. Instead, think about brushing down the back of ball and then underneath it, as though you are cutting its legs out.

Drive Through to the Target

To hit the shot accurately and with some zip, drive the edge of the racquet face out toward the target with a relaxed, full follow through. This helps put an “end over end” rotation on the ball that flies truer and is easier to place. A common pitfall is for players to swing across the ball, which puts more sidespin on it. This creates a curve on the flight path, which can make it tricky to return, but also more difficult to control. Federer could pull off that shot, but he’s one of one.

Apply these tips to your slice and you’ll carve up your opponents.