Chip & Charge Returns

[Roforot]

I am developing preference for Chip returns even when I don't charge in as it seems to help my consistency and it defuses a lot of the powerful flat first serves.

I have difficulty though w/ same tactic on spin serves. It seems like I have it lined up and instead of being a driving shot, it ends up floating up a little. It discourages me from charging in on 2nd serves... kind of backwards?

Any other suggestions from fellow practitioners of the chip return?

thanks!

 

[SageOfDeath]

on 2nd serves I don't chip the ball, I hit flatter because if someone hits a heavy kick and you slice it back it does float a bit, less of that driving power.

That's just my perspective.

 

[joe1987]

I usually just drive the return in since the serve is slower and I have more time to prepare. But then driving the return gives less forward momentum and its less natural to approach the net.
I think maybe you can work a little more on technique to control the slice so that the ball doesn't float up.

 

[SageOfDeath]

I usually just drive the return in since the serve is slower and I have more time to prepare. But then driving the return gives less forward momentum and its less natural to approach the net.
I think maybe you can work a little more on technique to control the slice so that the ball doesn't float up.

It can be easier to approach if you use closed.

 

[louis netman]

use the kick to your advantage...your forward momentum is all you need as the ball is already spinning in the direction you want... lean forward and get into the shot with your body and don't open the racket face too much... practice the shot till it becomes natural for you...

 

[Rickson]

Try a dropshot with heavy backspin on weak second serves. Servers go crazy when you force them to chase down those balls and you can go to the net on this shallow approach shot, just in case he gets to the ball, because the bounce is low enough not to be a sitter.

 

[Roforot]

Thanks for the tips all. I can drive and hit deep returns; but I do not yet have the consistency to hit outright winners on second serves; so I want to use chips to approach more often and put pressure.

As a server, I hate dropshot returns (even if I s&V)... I"d rather be passed or have a return winner; the dropshot is deflating so I may add it as a tactic when I'm up in a match or have a couple of breakpoints.

 

[Kathy]

Like louis indicated, it could well be the spin. Topspin on that serve will come off your racket as automatic underspin. So if you add additional underspin, it could be more than you intend.

Also, since the side of the ball you're striking is moving down -- the same direction your racket face is tracking -- your strings could fail to get a good bite into the fuzz on the ball. A flatter swing then would help.

Also, the ball is rebounding up off the court into your racket face. It will come off a flat racket face at an upward angle. So, if you hit with an open racket face, it'll pop up on you.

In other words, try hitting with less downward motion to generate spin and with a flatter (more closed) racket face. If that works, then you know what was wrong. I find that, more often than not, this is why chip returns get away on players.

Kathy K
www.operationdoubles.com

 

[Roforot]

Thank you for the simple explanation Kathy;
In experimenting today, it seems like my chop combined w/ the serves topspin is what's accounting for the ball sitting up as you suggested. I try to hit more drives/more flat but still like a punch and it's probably what I need to do.