Return of Serve - Ready on Forehand or Backhand?

[mxmx]

I'm having real problems on my backhand return of serve and even backhand groundstrokes. I can hit decent backhand when rallying but not in a match situation. I am assuming this is a confidence issue...

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

I find it easier to hit a backhand when I'm already on a backhand grip...but then I get caught down the middle or out wide on the forehand. When I'm already on the forehand grip, I can rip my forehands but get caught on the backhand.

Any advice welcome. Thanks


Edit: I have a double backhand.

 

[Keendog]

I start with a backhand grip and find it easy to switch to a continental/mild eastern for a forehand. I have a single hand backhand and find if I have to find a grip quickly I can miss the bevel in my haste. On forehand I can always compensate a bit more with the wrist if I don't get the grip right and I just focus on making clean contact.

 

[heninfan99]

if you have a one there's a way to wait with the forehand grip and do a quick change

 

[IowaGuy]

Wawrinka and Fed both use a continental grip for ROS.

That way you can block/slice fast serves, and then you can change grip for topspin return of slower serves.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

i wait with fh grip (extreme eastern almost sw), but left hand on top, to help do a quick change to either 2hbh, or to conti to block back... the change happens at the same time as the unit turn. even on big serves, i have more than enough time to switch grips.... usually the problem i had was "finding" the correct grip... but i think that just comes with practice and sensitivity to the bevels. my $0.02

 

[IowaGuy]

I'm having real problems on my backhand return of serve and even backhand groundstrokes. I can hit decent backhand when rallying but not in a match situation. I am assuming this is a confidence issue...

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

I find it easier to hit a backhand when I'm already on a backhand grip...but then I get caught down the middle or out wide on the forehand. When I'm already on the forehand grip, I can rip my forehands but get caught on the backhand.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

OP - do you have 1HBH or 2HBH?

 

[FiReFTW]

Continental.

Can slice on both wings if serve is extremely fast (or extremely high on backhand side) and also do a quick change to either eastern backhand or a strong eastern forehand for topspin swings on other serves.

 

[Curious]

Based on my coach’s advice this has been most helpful: think of it as a volley ie as nice and short a swing as possible and low to high. Always swing straight towards the net avoiding an across the body swing. Also remember, you’re trying to return it, doesn’t have to be a bullet!

 

[ptuanminh]

I prepare my ROS either way, depends on how my FH and BH feel that day and how my opponent serves.
For example, if my opponent kick serves outwide is good and they are using it a lot, i prepare on my BH return. If they can switch around and be unpredictable (which i don't see very often among 4.5 and below), then I go for my strong side, make it as high percentage play as possible. If they are 5.0 and above, i don't have a clue

 

[Hmgraphite1]

I'm having real problems on my backhand return of serve and even backhand groundstrokes. I can hit decent backhand when rallying but not in a match situation. I am assuming this is a confidence issue...

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

I find it easier to hit a backhand when I'm already on a backhand grip...but then I get caught down the middle or out wide on the forehand. When I'm already on the forehand grip, I can rip my forehands but get caught on the backhand.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

I find I wait in continental or eastern fh grip. Haven't settled on one yet, it prob relates to speed of serve. Can't picture myself waiting to attack with a continental.
On the bh I think you need to get that hop off the left foot with the right foot crossing over to hit the ohbh with topspin. Manytimes you'll be in the airborne. See feds second return in video above. Its very awkward at first if you haven't tried it, but it's just a balance thing that you get used to.

 

[philosoup]

I'm having real problems on my backhand return of serve and even backhand groundstrokes. I can hit decent backhand when rallying but not in a match situation. I am assuming this is a confidence issue...

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

I find it easier to hit a backhand when I'm already on a backhand grip...but then I get caught down the middle or out wide on the forehand. When I'm already on the forehand grip, I can rip my forehands but get caught on the backhand.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

Typically, return of serve ready position is continental.

When return a body serve, it can be easier to hit backhand return rather than forehand. Even on forehand side, if its too close to your body, it would be a better quality return if you step around to hit backhand. In other words, backhand has more coverage and you really need to get confident.

 

[fuzz nation]

I'm having real problems on my backhand return of serve and even backhand groundstrokes. I can hit decent backhand when rallying but not in a match situation. I am assuming this is a confidence issue...

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

I find it easier to hit a backhand when I'm already on a backhand grip...but then I get caught down the middle or out wide on the forehand. When I'm already on the forehand grip, I can rip my forehands but get caught on the backhand.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

I guess the good news is that you're not alone.

First question: Do you practice much or mostly play matches? If you do spend some time practicing, how much of that work is dedicated to returning serves? That's the second shot of every tennis point, so it's pretty important, but too many of us treat it as an afterthought and maybe lump it together with our ground strokes. It needs its own dedicated practice to be improved. Don't assume that you're "working on it" by playing matches. Get some reps when you can and you should be able to make some gains.

If you're having some confidence troubles with that backhand in general during rallies, I say start running around your forehand and hit more backhands. This may cost you a little in the short term, but you'll gain more proficiency in a hurry. Jump in with both feet so that eventually you'll be happy when somebody hits to your backhand side instead of worrying about protecting it.

I think your question about serve returns also depends on what sort of serves you're facing out there. I'll often return harder serves with a continental grip because I'll usually use a sort of "blocked slice" return that needs little setup time to get my strings on the ball. If it's a slower second serve and I want to nail it, I might take my backhand grip (I generally hit a one-handed topspin backhand) and if the ball comes to my forehand, I can quickly switch my grip for a topspin forehand or maybe just move my grip a little bit to a continental to block it back deep.

Not done yet... Sometimes I hit a two-handed backhand because it's so easy to quickly set-and-fire against a tougher serve. I also like that stroke in a baseline rally when a hot shot gets in on my feet. The two-hander is great for fighting off that sort of ball and keeping a rally going.

A technique that you may spot among other player or the killers on TV is that they return with a sort of hybrid grip. In the case of a right-handed returner, that player will take a forehand grip with the right (dominant) hand and set the top (left) hand on the grip in the position where it works for a two-handed backhand. Then when the ball comes to that returner, only one hand needs to be adjusted (or removed).

 

[mxmx]

OP - do you have 1HBH or 2HBH?

Thank you for all the replies. Still analysing...

I have a double backhand. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

 

[Deleted member 54265]

Thank you for all the replies. Still analysing...

I have a double backhand. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

OK this is what I suggest, what I do (I love serve returns, and I practice a lot, my serve returns is a real weapon) and what I see most pro players with 2hbh do:

You have both forehand and backhand grip - YES (left hand backhand grip, right hand forehand grip)

If you are a right hand player, your left hand will be at your normal double handed backhand grip - your right hand will be at your normal forehand grip.

When the ball comes to your forehand, you simply just release your left hand and hit with your forehand grip, no grip change.
When the ball comes to your backhand, you keep your left hand on the racquet in your normal double handed grip, and loosen the grip on your righthand when taking the racket back and grip to change to your back hand grip with your right hand.

Very very very simple once you practice a little bit. I have been at tournaments watching pros up close, and a lot do exactly this grip change.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

 

[sredna42]

Right hand continental.
Left hand eastern forehand.

Ready for 2hbh.
Ready to chip or block if caught out.
Only slightest change from bevel 2 to 3 for eastern gorehand (I'm leaving that spelling error, as it must have been a freudian slip)

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Ready Position Grips ... dominant hand forehand grip ... non-dominant hand backhand grip (or on throat for 1hbh) ... ... ... forehand ... you're already "there" ... ... ... backhand ... non-dominant hand starts pulling racquet back as dominant hand changes to backhand grip ~ MG

 

[mxmx]

Based on my coach’s advice this has been most helpful: think of it as a volley ie as nice and short a swing as possible and low to high. Always swing straight towards the net avoiding an across the body swing. Also remember, you’re trying to return it, doesn’t have to be a bullet!

With either the block return (slight backspin) as well as with topspin? I like the tip to swing towards the net instead of across the body. This applies to faster serves right?

 

[mxmx]

I prepare my ROS either way, depends on how my FH and BH feel that day and how my opponent serves.
For example, if my opponent kick serves outwide is good and they are using it a lot, i prepare on my BH return. If they can switch around and be unpredictable (which i don't see very often among 4.5 and below), then I go for my strong side, make it as high percentage play as possible. If they are 5.0 and above, i don't have a clue

I was caught out last weekend and often do by some good players. I can run around my backhand very well...but he had good disguise and could catch me on the forehand down the middle especially.

What is 4.5 level though as this system is not used everywhere. I actually asked the same question on my serve to detetmine what level my serve is....3.0, 4.0, 4.5?

 

[mxmx]

Typically, return of serve ready position is continental.

When return a body serve, it can be easier to hit backhand return rather than forehand. Even on forehand side, if its too close to your body, it would be a better quality return if you step around to hit backhand. In other words, backhand has more coverage and you really need to get confident.

Wow...so inside out basically? This is quite surprising advise. Not that I'm disagreeing...just food for thought.

 

[Curious]

With either the block return (slight backspin) as well as with topspin? I like the tip to swing towards the net instead of across the body. This applies to faster serves right?

All serves but the weak second serves.

 

[mxmx]

I guess the good news is that you're not alone.

First question: Do you practice much or mostly play matches? If you do spend some time practicing, how much of that work is dedicated to returning serves? That's the second shot of every tennis point, so it's pretty important, but too many of us treat it as an afterthought and maybe lump it together with our ground strokes. It needs its own dedicated practice to be improved. Don't assume that you're "working on it" by playing matches. Get some reps when you can and you should be able to make some gains.

If you're having some confidence troubles with that backhand in general during rallies, I say start running around your forehand and hit more backhands. This may cost you a little in the short term, but you'll gain more proficiency in a hurry. Jump in with both feet so that eventually you'll be happy when somebody hits to your backhand side instead of worrying about protecting it.

I think your question about serve returns also depends on what sort of serves you're facing out there. I'll often return harder serves with a continental grip because I'll usually use a sort of "blocked slice" return that needs little setup time to get my strings on the ball. If it's a slower second serve and I want to nail it, I might take my backhand grip (I generally hit a one-handed topspin backhand) and if the ball comes to my forehand, I can quickly switch my grip for a topspin forehand or maybe just move my grip a little bit to a continental to block it back deep.

Not done yet... Sometimes I hit a two-handed backhand because it's so easy to quickly set-and-fire against a tougher serve. I also like that stroke in a baseline rally when a hot shot gets in on my feet. The two-hander is great for fighting off that sort of ball and keeping a rally going.

A technique that you may spot among other player or the killers on TV is that they return with a sort of hybrid grip. In the case of a right-handed returner, that player will take a forehand grip with the right (dominant) hand and set the top (left) hand on the grip in the position where it works for a two-handed backhand. Then when the ball comes to that returner, only one hand needs to be adjusted (or removed).

I want to try the hybrid grip you are mentioning. I think this may be one of the solutions.

As for just blocking fast serves I have a problem. The players I play against are too good for me to get away with that. They'll rush the net. I also mostly play doubles and blocking a return is where I get killed. Most dare mot serve to my forehand though as its a weapon whether its a slow or fast serve. But the backand side is so weak that it really is a problem.

 

[mxmx]

OK this is what I suggest, what I do (I love serve returns, and I practice a lot, my serve returns is a real weapon) and what I see most pro players with 2hbh do:

You have both forehand and backhand grip - YES (left hand backhand grip, right hand forehand grip)

If you are a right hand player, your left hand will be at your normal double handed backhand grip - your right hand will be at your normal forehand grip.

When the ball comes to your forehand, you simply just release your left hand and hit with your forehand grip, no grip change.
When the ball comes to your backhand, you keep your left hand on the racquet in your normal double handed grip, and loosen the grip on your righthand when taking the racket back and grip to change to your back hand grip with your right hand.

Very very very simple once you practice a little bit. I have been at tournaments watching pros up close, and a lot do exactly this grip change.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

This is the hybrid grip mentioned earlier right? I need to practice this...thanks for explaining so well.

 

[marianix]

I want to try the hybrid grip you are mentioning. I think this may be one of the solutions.

As for just blocking fast serves I have a problem. The players I play against are too good for me to get away with that. They'll rush the net. I also mostly play doubles and blocking a return is where I get killed. Most dare mot serve to my forehand though as its a weapon whether its a slow or fast serve. But the backand side is so weak that it really is a problem.

I also have that problem. Play mostly doubles and have weak 2HBH. My oponents know about it and they are serving to my bh side.I tried version with left hand on bh grip and right on FH grip but when I had to return fast serve on my BH side I mostly forgot to change my right hand from fh grip. Now Im focusing on 2HBH grip on return. Change to FH grip is easier to me than change from continental or FH grip to BH.
In singles I use continental. If serve is fast I can slice and have open court ( in doubles slice is more more difficult - opponent at the net just wait for attack it). If it 2nd serve I have time to change grip

 

[Deleted member 23235]

OK this is what I suggest, what I do (I love serve returns, and I practice a lot, my serve returns is a real weapon) and what I see most pro players with 2hbh do:

You have both forehand and backhand grip - YES (left hand backhand grip, right hand forehand grip)

If you are a right hand player, your left hand will be at your normal double handed backhand grip - your right hand will be at your normal forehand grip.

When the ball comes to your forehand, you simply just release your left hand and hit with your forehand grip, no grip change.
When the ball comes to your backhand, you keep your left hand on the racquet in your normal double handed grip, and loosen the grip on your righthand when taking the racket back and grip to change to your back hand grip with your right hand.

Very very very simple once you practice a little bit. I have been at tournaments watching pros up close, and a lot do exactly this grip change.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

i’ve tried this before, always felt weird to me (theoretically shouldn’t),... but now will have to revisit it again. thx for the tip.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sredna42]

OK this is what I suggest, what I do (I love serve returns, and I practice a lot, my serve returns is a real weapon) and what I see most pro players with 2hbh do:

You have both forehand and backhand grip - YES (left hand backhand grip, right hand forehand grip)

If you are a right hand player, your left hand will be at your normal double handed backhand grip - your right hand will be at your normal forehand grip.

When the ball comes to your forehand, you simply just release your left hand and hit with your forehand grip, no grip change.
When the ball comes to your backhand, you keep your left hand on the racquet in your normal double handed grip, and loosen the grip on your righthand when taking the racket back and grip to change to your back hand grip with your right hand.

Very very very simple once you practice a little bit. I have been at tournaments watching pros up close, and a lot do exactly this grip change.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

I'm almost certain this is what Lleyton Hewitt did.

 

[t_pac]

That's what one of my regular playing partners does, looks a bit odd but seems to work for him.

The problem with using a continental then switching depending on which side the serve comes to, is that you always have to adjust. I receive serve using my standard SW forehand grip, then I only have to adjust if the serve goes to my backhand.

Might use a conti grip if I'm facing a massive server but that's pretty rare.

 

[Deleted member 54265]

i’ve tried this before, always felt weird to me (theoretically shouldn’t),... but now will have to revisit it again. thx for the tip.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It can feel a bit weird in the beginning, but once you practice for a little while I am sure you will see the benefits.

Serve returns is one of the strongest part of my game, I go for attacking even first serves. If you have a more defensive approach (or up against really big servers), you can adjust your forehand grip slightly towards eastern. I use sw forehand grip and ready to attack, but sometimes I adjust slightly towards eastern forehand grip for easier blocking strong first serves back.

My approach is that the serve returns are just as important as serves, but players in general mostly practice serves. I think there is great potential in practice serve return, and go for aggresive serve returns.

With my coach we practice this 4 stroke drill over and over and over:

1. Serve
2. Serve return
3. First stroke after serve (differ from normal groundstroke)
4. First stroke after serve return (again differ from normal ground stroke)
5. Server catch the ball and start over again.

It is stricly prohibited to make any errors !!!

If you master these 4 strokes you go a long way in a tennis match.

Cheers, Toby

 

[Deleted member 23235]

It can feel a bit weird in the beginning, but once you practice for a little while I am sure you will see the benefits.

Serve returns is one of the strongest part of my game, I go for attacking even first serves. If you have a more defensive approach (or up against really big servers), you can adjust your forehand grip slightly towards eastern. I use sw forehand grip and ready to attack, but sometimes I adjust slightly towards eastern forehand grip for easier blocking strong first serves back.

My approach is that the serve returns are just as important as serves, but players in general mostly practice serves. I think there is great potential in practice serve return, and go for aggresive serve returns.

With my coach we practice this 4 stroke drill over and over and over:

1. Serve
2. Serve return
3. First stroke after serve (differ from normal groundstroke)
4. First stroke after serve return (again differ from normal ground stroke)
5. Server catch the ball and start over again.

It is stricly prohibited to make any errors !!!

If you master these 4 strokes you go a long way in a tennis match.

Cheers, Toby

timely post... i've been focusing on ROS quite a bit, thx... will try your tip.
for #3 & #4 above, how are they different from normal GS?

 

[t_pac]

My approach is that the serve returns are just as important as serves, but players in general mostly practice serves. I think there is great potential in practice serve return, and go for aggresive serve returns.

Definitely agree with this, my doubles partner and I spend a lot of our practice time working purely on serves and returns.

 

[ptuanminh]

I was caught out last weekend and often do by some good players. I can run around my backhand very well...but he had good disguise and could catch me on the forehand down the middle especially.

What is 4.5 level though as this system is not used everywhere. I actually asked the same question on my serve to detetmine what level my serve is....3.0, 4.0, 4.5?

I am sorry about that. good 4.5s are something like this:

 

[jga111]

Continental.

Can slice on both wings if serve is extremely fast (or extremely high on backhand side) and also do a quick change to either eastern backhand or a strong eastern forehand for topspin swings on other serves.

+1 but my bh FH grips are diff

 

[ChaelAZ]

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

Edit: I have a double backhand.

Check out Djokovic for some pointers. He starts with essentially a two handed grip centered, which can easily grab a backhand, or drop a hand quickly for a forehand.

I have a 1HBH, but I found I start like Nishikori with hand up towards the throat to pull the 1HBH or drop for the fh.

 

[BetaServe]

I am sorry about that. good 4.5s are something like this:

That guy's forehand is a thing of beauty

 

[mxmx]

I am sorry about that. good 4.5s are something like this:

It's not your fault hehe. Thanks for the video.

It's hard to judge the level compared to mine as I have not seen myself play like this. I only have a serve video. But based on this I'm guessing I am either a 4.0 or 4.5. very hard to tell. They both seem fitter than me but serve many double faults and lack power and depth (at times, other times not) as well as consistent rallies and then inconsistent ones. But also speed always seem slower on videos...so maybe I'm only a 3.5 lol.

 

[mxmx]

OK this is what I suggest, what I do (I love serve returns, and I practice a lot, my serve returns is a real weapon) and what I see most pro players with 2hbh do:

You have both forehand and backhand grip - YES (left hand backhand grip, right hand forehand grip)

If you are a right hand player, your left hand will be at your normal double handed backhand grip - your right hand will be at your normal forehand grip.

When the ball comes to your forehand, you simply just release your left hand and hit with your forehand grip, no grip change.
When the ball comes to your backhand, you keep your left hand on the racquet in your normal double handed grip, and loosen the grip on your righthand when taking the racket back and grip to change to your back hand grip with your right hand.

Very very very simple once you practice a little bit. I have been at tournaments watching pros up close, and a lot do exactly this grip change.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

Okay...

So first of all...THANKS!
I tried this technique and it felt a heckload better. I even felt improvement on my bh groundstrokes after being able to hit the bh return. Not sure if this is due to confidence or if my rhythm was now better.

The only problem perhaps now will be the very fast bomb serves coming in as a surprise. Will take some doing being able to get to the grip and swing path into more of a block slice return in time. But as for regular topspin backhand returns it feels much better being on the grip in time.

Something else I need to work on is my stance and split step on returning the first serves especially. I think my movement and weight transfer forward is too much on the first serve returns. On second serves I can attack. Will test this more with the new hybrid grip on the bh.

I see some pro's being very low in their ready position and others very upright. I'm a fan on standing low like Federer would. Perhaps one can be more upright when serves come at you higher?

 

[IowaGuy]

I go for attacking even first serves.....It is stricly prohibited to make any errors !!!

Attacking 1st serves and not making any errors are generally at opposite ends of the spectrum!

My HS coach's theory was block back all 1st serves against a good player (try to start the ensuing rally as neutral as possible), and attack 2nd serves (try to start the ensuing rally as offensive as possible). I still use this strategy and have had good success with it at the rec level...

 

[IowaGuy]

timely post... i've been focusing on ROS quite a bit, thx... will try your tip.
for #3 & #4 above, how are they different from normal GS?

Not sure about #4,

But for #3, the ROS is often floatier/blockier than a typical baseline groundstroke, and often lands shallower in the court (following a 1st serve, anyway).

There is some footage on yt of Djoko practicing the return of a ROS, and ending the point after his shot and then serving again. Apparently, working exactly on #3.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Attacking 1st serves and not making any errors are generally at opposite ends of the spectrum!

My HS coach's theory was block back all 1st serves against a good player (try to start the ensuing rally as neutral as possible), and attack 2nd serves (try to start the ensuing rally as offensive as possible). I still use this strategy and have had good success with it at the rec level...

hehe i have 1 strategy:
* chip/block back deep down the middle
* no backswing drive deep down the middle
only mistake I “let” myself have is missing long.
I have enough inconsistency in my returns to make it look like I went to ad/deuce side


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 54265]

timely post... i've been focusing on ROS quite a bit, thx... will try your tip.
for #3 & #4 above, how are they different from normal GS?

Sorry for late reply.

Here is what my coach tells me. (He is an amazing coach and I totally trust him, his results as a coach is substantial)

#3 First shot after serve: You are kind of off balance and need to do a completely different stroke (from serve to groundstroke) and this transition can be difficult. Lots of players miss easy shots, so his teaching is to NEVER miss the first shot after you serve, go more for security and placement shots than power. Except if you get a sitter.

#4 First shot after return: Kind of the same thing, a return is different from a groundstroke (much shorter swing, blocking, etc) and the transition to a larger / longer swing can be difficult too, lots of players miss easy shots. Again NEVER miss first shot after return of serve.

I think this goes well with the average rally length at AO was 4.2 shots - if you can outlive the first 4 shots, the stats will be in your favor.

So the conclusion is to focus very much on #3 and #4 since this is almost never practice in drills, and have your focus on safe shots and placements.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

 

[hurworld]

Sorry for late reply.

Here is what my coach tells me. (He is an amazing coach and I totally trust him, his results as a coach is substantial)

#3 First shot after serve: You are kind of off balance and need to do a completely different stroke (from serve to groundstroke) and this transition can be difficult. Lots of players miss easy shots, so his teaching is to NEVER miss the first shot after you serve, go more for security and placement shots than power. Except if you get a sitter.

#4 First shot after return: Kind of the same thing, a return is different from a groundstroke (much shorter swing, blocking, etc) and the transition to a larger / longer swing can be difficult too, lots of players miss easy shots. Again NEVER miss first shot after return of serve.

I think this goes well with the average rally length at AO was 4.2 shots - if you can outlive the first 4 shots, the stats will be in your favor.

So the conclusion is to focus very much on #3 and #4 since this is almost never practice in drills, and have your focus on safe shots and placements.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Toby

totally makes sense. Thanks for the detailed response, really appreciate it.

When you practice with a partner on this (serve + 3?), I suppose any shots is fair game? e.g. drop shots, S&V, etc,

 

[SCSI]

If you have two-handed backhand, as someone says above, the best thing is to do what Djokovich does. He waits with slightly weaker grip for both BH and FH. This explains why he is such a good returner. He focuses on making a good deep return especially on the first serve. Once the point starts, he then switches to his regular grip. I do the same and it works well for me.

 

[MajesticMoose]

I've adopted the Djoko ready position on returns and stay in the regular 2 handed backhand position. I'd rather rotate my grip slightly on my forehand side than do it on my backhand. I just want my backhand to be 100% ready.

 

[Deleted member 54265]

If you have two-handed backhand, as someone says above, the best thing is to do what Djokovich does. He waits with slightly weaker grip for both BH and FH. This explains why he is such a good returner. He focuses on making a good deep return especially on the first serve. Once the point starts, he then switches to his regular grip. I do the same and it works well for me.

Absolutely, that will work too, I kind of do the same when up against really big servers, I go for more defensive returns. On second serve I will go for attacking the ball, and I change my right hand to my regular forehand grip while maintaining my backhand grip with my left hand.

 

[mxmx]

Okay. So thanks yet again. I actually won a match against a good player with barely needing to slice on my backhand. Once I have rythm on the bh return now, I can actually rally on the backhand. Not as great as the forehand but I'm now also making winners I never would have. Its like I'm getting a new shot and it's opening doors for me. I don't need to cover as much anymore...love it.

 

[Wise one]

I'm having real problems on my backhand return of serve and even backhand groundstrokes. I can hit decent backhand when rallying but not in a match situation. I am assuming this is a confidence issue...

On the service return. What is best. To be ready in a forehand grip and changing the grip when the ball comes to the backgand? Or a backhand grip changing it to the forehand when it comes to the forehand?

I find it easier to hit a backhand when I'm already on a backhand grip...but then I get caught down the middle or out wide on the forehand. When I'm already on the forehand grip, I can rip my forehands but get caught on the backhand.

Any advice welcome. Thanks


Edit: I have a double backhand.

Always wait with your left hand cradling the racquet throat and your right hand holding the racquet with your forehand grip. To hit a forehand, all you have to do is let go. To hit a backhand, you pull the racquet back with your left hand, and rotate your grip 1/4 turn counter-clockwise at the same time. Then let go, and you have a backhand grip.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I believe that quite a few players hit 1st serve returns with something like a semi-conti (Aussie) grip for ROS and then switch to their regular Fh for their next ready position. I've done that. Sometimes, I employ something of a non-committal "floater" grip.

Against 2nd serves or against slower 1st servers, I may go with my regular "ready grip" = my Eastern-plus Fh grip. However, I am a lefty returner and many of the right-handers that I played with regularly would usually serve to my Bh. So I would often wait with my Bh grip.

Take your pick.

 

[mxmx]

Always wait with your left hand cradling the racquet throat and your right hand holding the racquet with your forehand grip. To hit a forehand, all you have to do is let go. To hit a backhand, you pull the racquet back with your left hand, and rotate your grip 1/4 turn counter-clockwise at the same time. Then let go, and you have a backhand grip.

Yes. This is how I understood it the first time...and its working great. Thanks