How Do I return serves?

[ibemadskillzz]

What grip do you have to use to return hard serves? Western?

[corncob3466]

whatever you use for your forehand

[finchy]

i wouldnt suggest a hard swing back at a hard serve. i suggest an eastern grip just to reflect the force back at the opponent.

shouldnt u know this already? are you new to tennis?

[ibemadskillzz]

I'm a high ranked Junior Player.

[i.Radical]

A Continental (volley) grip works very well. Just block it back as you would to volley. However, you must change the grip if your opponent gives you a light serve.

[James Brown]

high ranked junior player...who cant return serves....doubt it...bring on the next 6.0, kthx

[PHSTennis]

Im not ranked, Junior Varsity player I can return about 65% of those hard serves im only a 4.5 player... ? Its easy just block keep a stiff arm and stab like a volley is what I learn from my pro... works really good :) If you can return a serve how can you be high ranked? :P

[jun]

well maybe s/he is facing serves that are 120mph ?

I just tell myself not to think too much about how I am gonna return the serve. If I can tell the difference between the serve, then i will certainly lean that way. Otherwise, I simply tell myself to focus on the ball, and react with simply shoulder turn with the no backswing.

[ibemadskillzz]

Yes I'm talking about serves about 120 with the sizzling sound "whoosh" as it passes by you. When it hits you it might injure you badly. I do not want to block it back, but I want to take control of the point, at least have control of the ball. What grip do you suggest? I use a western, but should I use a eastern?

[AAUS]

take some ocuvil

[Phil]

I'm a high ranked Junior Player.

Given the question asked, I doubt it. Using Western grip to return 120 mph serves...doubt it.

[dozu]

generally one should use a FH grip to return serves. A continental block-back is OK if the server does not S&V. a blocked return is usually floaty, making it a sitting duck for the net rusher..... however the deep floater is neutralizing if the server stays back.

[VTL]

for the very first point, just forget about winning and losing or even the fact that you're playing a match and just try to smack the ball as hard as u can.. if u get it in, u've successfully made him more tenative and will try to do more.. if u misss, oh well it's just one point.. and just play normal and listen to other ppl on after that


Just for one point..

[dozu]

I'd guess the success rate for that is less than 25%, as you haven't even got the hang of how the serves look like.... maybe after a set or so you can pick a serve to smack as hard as you can.

[Smashlob]

I seriously doubt that you are a high-ranked junior. I am somewhat highly ranked, and I know what every decent player should know.

1.) An online forum asking people who do not know you or your game is a good place to ask, the next time you see your coach talk to him/her about it.

2.) Use your normal forehand grip to rip a return off a weaker serve, use a continental/eastern-ish grip to block back a serve.

I seriously doubt you are facing 120 mph serves as I can hardly serve 95, and I think that could beat anything you have.

[ibemadskillzz]

I seriously doubt that you are a high-ranked junior. I am somewhat highly ranked, and I know what every decent player should know.

1.) An online forum asking people who do not know you or your game is a good place to ask, the next time you see your coach talk to him/her about it.

2.) Use your normal forehand grip to rip a return off a weaker serve, use a continental/eastern-ish grip to block back a serve.

I seriously doubt you are facing 120 mph serves as I can hardly serve 95, and I think that could beat anything you have.

I seriously think that:
1.)you should sh** your f***ing mouth

2.)don't act gay or homosexual.

3.)And stay the f*** out of this forum.

[schaaf]

wow... someone is a cranky ***.

Dude... Everything Smashlob said is true, and you have the nerve to come back and tell him to shut up, that he must be a homosexual, and to never come back to the whole forum...

You have serious anger/mental issues that I would recomend you see a specialist about.

(oh, and good luck with your service returns.)

[JB]

give the guy a break. He's asking for advice not criticism about his level of play. I'm a 4.0 player and struggle with my service return - especially in doubles where you have to keep your return away from the net player.

[Tomek]

look here: http://groups.msn.com/TennizFriendzSingaporeTFS/tennisanalysis3b.msnw

I think that You should try using a grip that would be between semi-western and eastern (depending on hight of the ball, court surface). Short backswing, long follow through. Even first serve you should try to return standing inside the court, and even adding some forward motion to it.

[Bungalo Bill]

Yes I'm talking about serves about 120 with the sizzling sound "whoosh" as it passes by you. When it hits you it might injure you badly. I do not want to block it back, but I want to take control of the point, at least have control of the ball. What grip do you suggest? I use a western, but should I use a eastern?

If you truly are facing those serves or simply a serve that looks like it is going that fast, you should attempt to nuetralize it. Trying to take control of a serve that is coming in fast is like trying to take control and land softly with no parachute and you jumped off a 20 story building.

A serve coming that fast at the junior level is a first serve. This means you are not playing offense but defense. Most likely the reason you're having problems with a fast serve IS because you're trying to take control of the point from your return.

This is not a smart play or consideration on your part. Just get the ball back and begin the point. Unless you dont change grips quickly, you should wait in your forehand grip or somwhere inbetween for a quick grip change. I dont think it is a grip problem but more of your strategic approach to a service return that is flawed. Being a highly ranked junior you should know this - it is fundamental.

[Robert Jones]

Just block it back then worry about the point. You can direct blocks, don't go for a winner on a 120mph serve. Don't use western as its really for top spin and you are not going to be putting top spin on a 120mph serve.

If you have enough time to take a full swing its not a 120mph serve.

A 120mph serve is a big advantage, serving is a big advantage. Your just looking to get back the 1sts and maybe get lucky and win the point. You want more second serves.

[Mattle]

I've seen Federer ( and he's using SW/ western) that if he gets in a good position on a first serve, he's gently making a forehand with a eastern forehand and makes the whole stroke, using the power from the serve and puts it in one of the two corners. But yes he's using a more open racket since he's not accelerating and he's using power from the serve, which means he's not generating top spin. Delicious stroke!

[Mattle]

and guys.. stop don't care if he says he's a high ranked junior player.. maybe he is.. just answer his question:)