Slice and spin
Technique · Advanced
Explanation
openSo far it's been about hitting the Speeder cleanly and fully. The slice is an advanced tool that deliberately works differently: you graze the Speeder from the side or from below and thereby give it rotation. This rotation makes its trajectory and behavior harder for the opponent to read.
The Speeder is by nature stable and flies straight. That's exactly what you exploit by disturbing it. If you graze it lightly from the side on contact instead of hitting it fully, it gets a spin. The trajectory curves slightly, the pace changes, and the opponent can judge the ball less easily.
The slice has its price: a sliced ball is slower and you give up some control. That's why you use it deliberately, not constantly. It's worthwhile as a surprise, as variation, to throw the opponent out of rhythm — especially on short balls and on the serve.
A sliced ball is like a throw with spin in boules or table tennis — it arrives differently than the eye expects, and that small irritation is often enough for a mistake from the opponent.
The slice is the freestyle, not the compulsory. It builds on secure, full contact — whoever can't yet hit the Speeder cleanly and reliably should practice that first. Whoever masters it gains a fine extra color with the slice.
Exercise
openGive the Speeder spin
Goal
Slice the Speeder in a controlled way and feel the altered trajectory.
How to do it
- Start with a simple stroke and graze the Speeder lightly from the side on contact instead of hitting it fully.
- Watch how the trajectory and pace change compared to full contact.
- Try the slice first on the serve, where you can hit at your leisure.
- Then carry it over to short balls in play.
- Deliberately alternate between full contact and slice.
Self-check
Do you hit the Speeder in a controlled way despite the slice, or do you lose direction? The slice may cost only a little control — if too much accuracy is lost, you're still hitting too messily and had better keep practicing full contact first.
Wrap-up
The slice is a variation for special moments. Used sparingly and deliberately, it throws the opponent out of rhythm.
Classification
- Playing goals
- Pace and power control, Target accuracy, Reading opponent patterns
- Prerequisites
- The wrist snap: the whip