how to be more aggressive on serve returns?

[revolutionary technique]

Some tips on how to be more aggresive returning weak serves and put myself in an ofensive situation. I just seem to hit it in a way puting me in a neutural postions but most people I play with dont have a very good serve.

 

[Charlzz]

Hmm, how about stepping in closer to the net, and take the returns on the rise?

 

[WildVolley]

You can always try the Agassi technique which involves stepping in and taking the serve early off the bounce, hitting on the rise, and using a short backswing. It takes good eye-hand coordination but is devastating when you get it.

You'll see the pros today take the opposite strategy against players who don't have good angled serves by backing up and taking a full cut at the ball from behind the baseline.

 

[OhDear]

Slice it low down the line and rush the net.

 

[revolutionary technique]

thanks that helps I was thinking of doing it like Agassi.
well my slice isn't that great but I will practice

 

[Rickson]

If you don't have confidence putting away weak serves, then at least get the ball back deep so you take control of the point.

 

[Moz]

Are you ensuring you are split-stepping and getting your weight forwards when returning?

This immediately makes your shot more aggressive irrespective of swing speed.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Are you ensuring you are split-stepping and getting your weight forwards when returning?

This immediately makes your shot more aggressive irrespective of swing speed.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. This video explains what Moz is talking about very well: http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/vid...tep_1_Tennis_Service_Return_Step_Up_and_Split

 

[revolutionary technique]

yes I do split step before the server hits the serve. but I do not move my momentum forward. Come to think about it moving my momentum forward will help alot. Thanks

 

[Noaler]

You can always try the Agassi technique which involves stepping in and taking the serve early off the bounce, hitting on the rise, and using a short backswing. It takes good eye-hand coordination but is devastating when you get it.

You'll see the pros today take the opposite strategy against players who don't have good angled serves by backing up and taking a full cut at the ball from behind the baseline.

isn't that for a hard serve

 

[Tennis4203]

Moonball!!! Yew~!!

 

[jasoncho92]

isn't that for a hard serve

It just has more of an effect for hard serves since it gets to you faster and can allow you to get the server out of position early. When the serve is slower, the server has more time to get ready for the return so taking the serve on the rise has less of an effect.

 

[FitzRoy]

Some tips on how to be more aggresive returning weak serves and put myself in an ofensive situation. I just seem to hit it in a way puting me in a neutural postions but most people I play with dont have a very good serve.

When you say your return is putting you in a neutral position, how close to the baseline is your return usually going? I've always found that hitting good depth on the return is very effective, and is often the difference between being in a neutral position off of the return and being in an offensive position. Are you already hitting the return fairly deep, but that isn't enough to get you into an offensive position?

 

[tennis_balla]

Depends on your opponents serve. If its weak then stand more inside the baseline then you think you need to. Last thing you want to be doing is having to run up quite a bit to get a weak serve. Also feel like you're going through the baseline rather then aim for the sidelines and trying and hit a winner on the first shot. Deep ball (pin him back)>short reply>then put away if you can. By hitting through the baseline I mean hit deep and feel like you're hitting through the court rather then aim close to the sidelines. If you miss it long its ok.

 

[FedererISBetter]

What kind of weak serve is it? Slice... flat... lobby... kick? Anywayz, try to follow with it as an approach shot... this can vary in pace ( just dont make it too easy for your opponent ) and spin (if any). I tend to smack the ball flat on kickers and top it deep on slice.... and volley it away. If not, use a two hit combo by taking the person out wide and go for the open spot or hitting it behind the person (can be risky). I tend not to tell weak flats or even lobby serves ...but if I were... I would try to place it well and not trying to be too aggressive with it ( risk of error ). But as some say, its BEST to neuralize the serve first.