"Official" rule about service returns - must they bounce

[BabblingPsychopath]

The kids on the team I coach had a question the other day that I wasn't sure of the answer, and an hour reading rules online hasn't turned up anything.

The question: does the receiver of serve have to let the serve bounce before returning it? I.e if one of my weak players is in a match with someone with a very weak serve, can he just stand at the net and slam it?

I remember reading somewhere that it was legal, but considered poor sportsmanship to do this. Is there actually a rule?

[Mark Jensen]

From the ITF's Rules of Tennis:
http://dps.usta.com/usta_master/usta...208:54:17%20PM
17. SERVING
(...snip...) The service shall pass over the net and hit the service court diagonally opposite, before the receiver returns it.

USTA Comment 17.1: What happens if the receiver volleys the
serve? The server wins the point unless the serve hit the net, in which
case it is a let.

[tennis-n-sc]

Originally Posted by BabblingPsychopath

The kids on the team I coach had a question the other day that I wasn't sure of the answer, and an hour reading rules online hasn't turned up anything.

The question: does the receiver of serve have to let the serve bounce before returning it? I.e if one of my weak players is in a match with someone with a very weak serve, can he just stand at the net and slam it?

I remember reading somewhere that it was legal, but considered poor sportsmanship to do this. Is there actually a rule?

You should get a copy of Friend at Court, especially if you are coaching kids in tennis.

[Raiden.Kaminari]

Yes, it's much easier to read in print form than online.

[Serve 'em hard]

Yeah, you gotta let it bounce. I remember thinking I wanted to take this dude's weak 2nd serve out of the air as a volley, but someone told me I couldn't do that.

[tennis_hand]

if u could volley it, then what'd be the point of a serve. it's tempting when u see someone's serve so slow, but if u volley it, it means you are blocking his serve thus not allowing him to serve. so obviously you are wrong, so it's not allowed.

[z-money]

of course you do. that should be in tennis 101. not even that. its remedial tennis

[103xStateChamp]

I definately recommend getting a rule book because if your coaching kids and don't know that no offense but it seems like the kids wouldn't be benefiting to much from that.

[! ! ! ! ronakp10]

Wouldn't you think that you'd see a lot more people doing that if it was true? Then pros would spend time practicing how to volley a serve...