The Return of Serve

This article will show you how to return a fast serve with a topspin stroke. You will never have to just block the serve back and let the server control the point. The first mistake most players make is they stand in the ready position like they are waiting for a volley with the racket head chest high. If you do this then your first move is to lower your racket so you can hit the ball low to high. You guessed it,now you are late on the return. On a 100 mph serve you have half a second to react. By starting with your racket head down touching the court all you have to do is:

1) split step (when your opponent contacts the serve)

2) step into the ball with your opposite foot, (forehand-left foot, backhand- right foot).

3) swing ball forward - no backswing, (your racket is already at the point of contact)

4) Long follow through to your opposite shoulder.

One major advantage of returning this way is you can move in a lot closer to the service line,which reduces the time for a serve and volleyer and bothers most baseliners as you attack the ball on the rise and control the middle of the court after the return. One way to practice this method is have a friend serve to you from his service line instead of the baseline. This is what Agassi did with his pros when he was growing up. If you ever get the opportunity to play on grass as I do now you will have to learn this method as the ball sometimes will shoot right by you if you take a backswing. I never block the return anymore and let the server dictate the point to me. Last summer I took a 100 mph serve so early I knocked the racket out of the serve and volleyer hands three feet inside the baseline. Now I know why most pros do not serve and volley anymore as these new rackets with short backswings and long follow throughs are amazing weapons. Remember to hit 90% of your returns over the middle of the net and cross court. Think of the return of serve as a second serve.

Miss the return and you give your opponent a free point. All servers will tell you their worst nightmare is having to play every point!! Hope this article helps your return and allows you to take control of the point whether you are serving or returning. This return method works so well for me that when I win the toss to begin a match I take the opponents side and return first. It has been amazing how many times I start a match now with a break of service.

Dick Beamer USPTA Professional
Any questions e-mail: dbeamerd@netscape.net