Timing for back or forehand return!?

[jonas-the-ball-basher]

I somehow don't get the timing right when trying to return someones first serve.
I usually prepare for a forehand return and when it's not coming to my forehand, I just play a weak slice return.
Because, when I prepare to go either for a (double handed) backhand or forehand I usually end up being to late with my grip and swing for a good return for my back and forehand.
Could someone explain/tell me how to get this timing right?

[takeuchi]

try shortening your backswing

[Marius_Hancu]

Might want to check out this thread:

Return takebacks vs. rally takebacks (a comparison)
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=40901

[Bungalo Bill]

I somehow don't get the timing right when trying to return someones first serve.
I usually prepare for a forehand return and when it's not coming to my forehand, I just play a weak slice return.
Because, when I prepare to go either for a (double handed) backhand or forehand I usually end up being to late with my grip and swing for a good return for my back and forehand.
Could someone explain/tell me how to get this timing right?

If it is in your head, your feet will follow. If you dont have confidence returning on the backhand side and you are mentally leaning to hit a forehand, you will most likely be late for the backhand.

It could be you are slower to move toward your weaker side and need to practice stepping out with the foot closest to the ball on that side first. A lot of players step out properly on the forehand side but crossover with their dominant foot on the backhand side. This wastes precious time to get your feet and body in position for a good return.

A good way to practice your return of serve is to stand with your back to a fence. Have someone feed balls to each side. The fence will prvent you from taking an excessive backswing and you will be able to develop your footwork patterns to get your momentum going into the ball for a powerful shot.

Also, learning to read the serve will help you prepare better for a backhand so you can get ready for it a tad quicker.

[JackD]

Jonas- your problem is probably in your ready position and you turn. The more excess movement in these postions the longer it takes to get ready to return. This is often the case when players with strong strokes in a rally but struggle with the return. If your changing your grip on your fh and bh make sure you practice the change to occur during takeback so it doesn't slow you down. If you loop your swing make sure you don't reset your loop (bring the raq down from the ready position and have to raise it back up behind you to start your swing). Also if you loop don't lift raq up from the ready position. Instead keep your raq head just below eye level and at about a 45 degree angle from the court. From here turn keeping the raq on the same horizontal plane to save time and keep all options open. Now you are in a postioin where you can block (flat), slice, or drop the head and hit with topspin and you've gotten their with the shortest take back possible because your raq moved in a straight line.

[Marius_Hancu]

3 great BH return clips are available at:
http://www.tenniscruz.com/login.asp
you need to register but free
Agassi, Kafe, Rafter
great timing and leg movement for all
others are not functional yet.