Slice
A stroke that imparts backspin or sidespin — and, in golf, an unintended shot that curves sharply away from the player.
Definition
In racket sports a slice is an open-faced stroke drawn under and across the ball to impart backspin, often with sidespin. In tennis the sliced backhand or forehand skids low and stays short, useful for approach shots, defensive returns, and changing pace; in table tennis a slice or chop produces heavy backspin. The low, skidding bounce forces opponents to lift the ball.
In golf the word usually names a fault, not a chosen shot: for a right-handed player a slice curves hard to the right, caused by an open clubface relative to the swing path imparting sidespin. Skilled players can also hit a controlled slice, or fade, on purpose. Because the same word means an intended shot in tennis and a mishit in golf, the sport context matters.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- Tennis
- An intentional open-faced stroke imparting backspin that skids low and stays short.
- Golf
- Usually a fault — a shot curving sharply away from the player (rightwards for a right-hander) from sidespin; a controlled version is a fade.
- Table Tennis
- A chopping stroke that imparts heavy backspin, forcing a lifted return.
Where you’ll hear “slice”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Golf
A precision target sport played across an outdoor course, blending skill, strategy and a long walk in the open air.
Table Tennis
A fast, low-impact indoor racquet sport that sharpens reflexes and is easy to start.
Padel
A sociable, doubles-first racquet sport played in an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
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Commonly confused with
Close enough to be mixed up — the distinction is worth knowing.
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Techniques
- Padel BandejaA controlled overhead shot in padel, hit with slice and moderate pace to keep the player at the net without over-committing.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Tennis ServeThe overhead stroke that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.
- Badminton SmashA powerful, steeply downward overhead stroke that drives the shuttlecock sharply into the opponent's court to win the rally.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
Decision making
- Shot selectionChoosing which shot to play from the options available — weighing the situation, the risk and what you are trying to achieve.
- AnticipationForming an expectation of what is likely to happen next, and starting to prepare for it before it does.
- Adapting to conditionsAdjusting your decisions as the conditions around you change — weather, surface, equipment, fatigue or an opponent's style.
- Reading an opponentPicking up an opponent's cues — stance, weight, positioning and habits — to sense what they are likely to do and decide how to respond.
Disciplines
- RecurveRecurve archery uses a bow whose limb tips curve away from the archer, shot with a sight and finger release; it is the discipline contested at the Olympic Games.
- CompoundCompound archery uses a bow with cams and cables that reduce the holding weight at full draw, and is typically shot with a release aid and a magnified sight.
Equipment
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Golf clubA shafted club with a specialised head used to strike the ball around a golf course.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
Skills
- Net playThe skill of controlling points close to the net with volleys and touch shots.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- FootworkThe skill of moving efficiently around the playing area to be in position for each shot or action.
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
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- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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