Return of Serve: Slicing/Chipping it back

vincent_tennis

Professional
Was playing some doubles today against a pretty big server (righty) who could serve out wide really well on the ad court. Me, as a righty could block it back, no problem. But when it came to slicing it back, it kept floating high and went out.

Any tip on how to clip it back and keeping the ball low and deep?

Thanks
Vince

Plays: ExEastern Forehand Grip, Eastern 1hbh, NTRP: 4.0-4.5 (EXCLUDING FOOTWORK), 3.5 - 4.0 if u do :oops:
 
Step in to it, cut diagonally to it. If its too fast to cut diagonally to it.. step back further. If you cant do that, just step in to block it back... I usually hit it infront of me and making sure its deep. I assume its like a flat serve so make sure you bend 'em knees : )
 

mistapooh

Semi-Pro
If it's a high ball, you have to make square contact before you add some slice on it. Chopping down diagonally straight off will float it.
 

Bagumbawalla

Talk Tennis Guru
I think this has been mentioned, but, yes, first of all position yourself for the return by standing farther to the left. Then move in toward the ball, to cut off the angle as much as possible. Also, as mentioned, especially if there is a lot of hop/spin to the ball, you need to make square contact and drive down and through the ball.

In general, when hitting a slice return like this, the idea is to drop the ball low to the feet of the server who would be approaching he net forcing him to volley (or half-volley) up where your partner waits at the net.

When you are pulled wide like that, and with the opponent waiting at the net, your angle for making your slice return work is very slim. If it is not over enough, or if it floats too high, the net man will take it and pound back a winning placement.

So, have someone hit you serve after serve, wide in the ad court for practice until you get it down.

Until you do, there are, also, some other shots you might consider.

a, A topspin drive down the line (every once in a while to keep the net man on his toes).

b, A heavy topspin crosscourt that dips down-- allowing you to hit harder and create more angle.

c, A lob over the head of the net man.
 

fortunecookiesjc

Professional
yeah i have the same problem. our first single guy serves are rediculously bomb even if its not placed well its hard to get to. All you can do is blockor chip it and hope you dont break strings
 

BullDogTennis

Hall of Fame
make sure you dont hit down on it...that will cause it to pop up. and if your slicing serves back make sure you keep em deep, or your partner might end up with a ball mark on his face....i speak with experience-the bad part of the deal lol
 

NLBwell

Legend
Body moving forward will help you control it. If you get tentative and lean back, the ball will float up high.
 

hassanri

New User
I recently played a guy w/ a high spin serve (about eye level) to my backhand (righty) and I tried to muscle it. It went back towards the center of the court and in, but cleared the net bout 7-10 ft. I'm not proud of the return but kept the ball in play. Prob. best to step into it and hit the ball on the rise, right? The ball had so much action on it, not accustom to it.
 

ericwong

Rookie
I think this has been mentioned, but, yes, first of all position yourself for the return by standing farther to the left. Then move in toward the ball, to cut off the angle as much as possible. Also, as mentioned, especially if there is a lot of hop/spin to the ball, you need to make square contact and drive down and through the ball.

In general, when hitting a slice return like this, the idea is to drop the ball low to the feet of the server who would be approaching he net forcing him to volley (or half-volley) up where your partner waits at the net.

When you are pulled wide like that, and with the opponent waiting at the net, your angle for making your slice return work is very slim. If it is not over enough, or if it floats too high, the net man will take it and pound back a winning placement.

So, have someone hit you serve after serve, wide in the ad court for practice until you get it down.

Until you do, there are, also, some other shots you might consider.

a, A topspin drive down the line (every once in a while to keep the net man on his toes).

b, A heavy topspin crosscourt that dips down-- allowing you to hit harder and create more angle.

c, A lob over the head of the net man.

I usually choose 'C' if the serve is wide. Of course, one has to read the serve before choosing the return stroke. If the serve is weak or right to my hitting zone , I hit it cleanly.
 

Nellie

Hall of Fame
a couple of things -

As mentioned above, you need to get the ball in front - if you hit the ball behind you (late) your racquet will be open and you will pop up.

Other things that will help -

1) use now take back, but follow through on the return, like at volley

2) also, like a volley, drive to step through the ball, and do not try to 'cut' the shot with the racquet.
 

LuckyR

Legend
I play a lot of doubles as well and have recently come to the realization that to get to the next level, I need to give up on the chip and slice returns against all but the very fastest serves. Serves that go way out wide are by definition spin serves and don't fall into this category. Yes, you can increase your return percentage by chipping them all back and yes against S&V folks good chips will fall at their shoetops. However, IMO although chips and slices are easy to do and have a high percentage of getting over the net and into the court, they have a lower percentage of being difficult to poach or punish if hit less than perfectly, when compared to a more classic abbreviated stroked return.
 

oldhacker

Semi-Pro
I agree - the lob return over the net man may not be the flashy option but I am coming to the conclusion that it is the highest percentage return for most players when faced with a wide, low bouncing slice serve and an agressive net player crowding the net and looking to poach. I have been playing doubles against a guy with a great wide slice serve which he gets to stay so low (he learnt to play on grass and says he developed an extra wirst flick on his slice to keep the bounce low). He forces you to hit up while stretched and going cross court is low percentage if he has a good net player for a partner. But I am finding a lob over the backhand side of the net man is getting us into rallies at least even and we are finally managing to break him from time to time.

I usually choose 'C' if the serve is wide. Of course, one has to read the serve before choosing the return stroke. If the serve is weak or right to my hitting zone , I hit it cleanly.
 
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