Mastering the slice return

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This video, featuring Mari Humberg, provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the slice return in pickleball.

She covers the essential techniques, numerous benefits, and common misconceptions surrounding this powerful shot.

Mari emphasizes using the continental grip, the same grip used for a slice drop.

Proper spacing is crucial; you need enough room to hit the ball out in front to avoid popping it up.

She advises contacting the ball at its highest point, the apex, rather than letting it drop low, as the slice return is an offensive shot designed to create time to get to the kitchen line.

The slice return offers consistency and puts pressure on opponents, forcing them to get low and often leading to drives.

It can also force opponents to hit better serves, as short serves are easily attacked with a slice return.

While beneficial, the slice return does generate spin for the opponent and requires practice and precise timing to avoid floating the ball.

Mari also provides valuable advice on how to effectively handle an opponent's slice return, including anticipation, getting low, avoiding short hops, and aiming high.

Key Points:

  • Grip: Use the continental grip for the slice return.

  • Spacing: Ensure enough space to hit the ball out in front to avoid popping it up.

  • Contact Point: Hit the ball at its highest point (the apex) for an offensive slice return.

  • Benefits: The slice return offers consistency, puts pressure on opponents, and forces better serves.

  • Handling Opponent's Slice: Anticipate, get low, avoid short hops, and aim high.

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Happy pickling,

Paul