Returning a 30mph cupcake serve

[not_federer]

This is another post re: pushers but more specifically about one's serve. I'm having a lot of trouble.

Here's what happens: the serve comes in, lands in the middle of the box, slice keeps it low and short, find myself in no mans land, then I get passed or lobbed or can't even return the ball because it's so low and short.

Response: move well inside the baseline, take the ball early, put something on it (aggressive) or give it plenty of air and depth to give myself time to recover (defensive).

Any tips/suggestions on how to handle the slow short slice serves? I can return a 100mph serve better than this and it is very frustrating :-?

 

[Long Face]

I'm good at returning this type of soft serves, and I'm always hoping that my opponent's 2nd serves are like this.

Chip and charge is very effective with such soft serves. Slice the ball deep and wide into one of the corners, and guard the net. Use disguise and variety. It is difficult to answer with a good pass or lob because when the opponent sees where the shot is landing, it is already quite late (because of his short serve).

And from time to time, you can do a drop shot to throw your opponent further off.

 

[jrs]

If the serve is very short and low - I will drop the ball short and in front of me - so I have better chance at a volley if they get to the drop.

If the drop is bad then you are back to the current problem... but at least you are getting him/her to move.

 

[TennisCJC]

This is another post re: pushers but more specifically about one's serve. I'm having a lot of trouble.

Here's what happens: the serve comes in, lands in the middle of the box, slice keeps it low and short, find myself in no mans land, then I get passed or lobbed or can't even return the ball because it's so low and short.

Response: move well inside the baseline, take the ball early, put something on it (aggressive) or give it plenty of air and depth to give myself time to recover (defensive).

Any tips/suggestions on how to handle the slow short slice serves? I can return a 100mph serve better than this and it is very frustrating :-?

In singles:

If it stays low making it difficult to drive, use a slice to get it back deep and return to the baseline.

If you can contact it high enough to drive it, then use topspin to drive it and return to the baseline. Don't try to end the point unless you are feeling confident, rather try to hit a 3/4 paced shot CC or to their weaker side.

If you can contact it high enough to get something on it, then you may also want to mix in some slice/chip and charge or drive and charge as a change of pace.

I am not too bothered by this serve in singles, but I hate to return this type of serve in doubles. I play a fair amount of mixed and there are women who are adept at serving wide and low to my backhand with a flat or underspin type of ball that stays very low even if you take it at the peak. With their partner at net, this is difficult to return. I would rather they hit it harder and higher but they cannot.

 

[moopie]

Any tips/suggestions on how to handle the slow short slice serves? I can return a 100mph serve better than this and it is very frustrating :-?

I would suggest changing your mindset for one thing, because the 100mph serve really is easier to return, especially if it goes right to you and you just need to block it back.

Short slice serve requires footwork, concentration, and very good timing to attack. Be patient and keep practicing it.

 

[zapvor]

i love serves like this. i step in take it earlier and take a big cut. usually its an error. or i go federer and attempt a drop. error also

 

[Sim]

A drop shot is so effective here...
Or a slice into the corner...
Or a good topspin shot to the baseline...

Point is, there are plenty of things you can do on really slow serves.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I tend to turn my back on my opponent and attempt the tweaner on every serve until I hit a winner off of it.

Then, I walk off the court like a boss. I just hit a service return off of the tweaner, **** is over son.

 

[KenC]

I would treat it just like you treat every other weak ball. Hopefully you attack them with an evil grin...

 

[Bowtiesarecool]

A drop shot return dtl works 99% of the time. Follow it to the net for a put away in the event the server actually gets to the ball.


P.S. Another thing I'll do if the ball is REALLY short and low is, to treat it as a drop shot and just poke it back over cross court, as close to the net and sideline as possible. In either scenario, keeping your return close to the net means thay A: have to run and B: will have a low percentage shot trying to pass you from the high side of the net.

 

[UCSF2012]

This is another post re: pushers but more specifically about one's serve. I'm having a lot of trouble.

Here's what happens: the serve comes in, lands in the middle of the box, slice keeps it low and short, find myself in no mans land, then I get passed or lobbed or can't even return the ball because it's so low and short.

Response: move well inside the baseline, take the ball early, put something on it (aggressive) or give it plenty of air and depth to give myself time to recover (defensive).

Any tips/suggestions on how to handle the slow short slice serves? I can return a 100mph serve better than this and it is very frustrating :-?

If you already know the answer, why don't you just do it? Either stand up or be prepared to charge forward instantly. Split step and CHARGE!

Most players don't have a serve. It's either a 120mph first serve into the net/3 feet long, or a pancake 2nd serve. Pancakes drop very SHORT. You cannot hit a shot 3 feet in front of you, a foot off the ground.

 

[Mick]

probably because the OP knows what needs to be done but he doesn't have the skill to successfully execute that strategy

 

[ATP100]

In singles:

If it stays low making it difficult to drive, use a slice to get it back deep and return to the baseline.

If you can contact it high enough to drive it, then use topspin to drive it and return to the baseline. Don't try to end the point unless you are feeling confident, rather try to hit a 3/4 paced shot CC or to their weaker side.

If you can contact it high enough to get something on it, then you may also want to mix in some slice/chip and charge or drive and charge as a change of pace.

I am not too bothered by this serve in singles, but I hate to return this type of serve in doubles. I play a fair amount of mixed and there are women who are adept at serving wide and low to my backhand with a flat or underspin type of ball that stays very low even if you take it at the peak. With their partner at net, this is difficult to return. I would rather they hit it harder and higher but they cannot.

Best answer so far, don't try to hit a winner....you will learn a lot more trying the above technique.

 

[LeeD]

Volley your return deep to your chosen corner. That prep is exactly the same as for a dropper, so that works now.

 

[Limpinhitter]

This is another post re: pushers but more specifically about one's serve. I'm having a lot of trouble.

Here's what happens: the serve comes in, lands in the middle of the box, slice keeps it low and short, find myself in no mans land, then I get passed or lobbed or can't even return the ball because it's so low and short.

Response: move well inside the baseline, take the ball early, put something on it (aggressive) or give it plenty of air and depth to give myself time to recover (defensive).

Any tips/suggestions on how to handle the slow short slice serves? I can return a 100mph serve better than this and it is very frustrating :-?

There are 3 high percentage options that you can mix and match. But first, the key is to just execute your shot correctly and hit to the correct target. Don't under-hit timidly and fail to fully execute, or over-hit under the mistaken belief that you are obligated to hit clean winners off of such serves. If it's a low slice (below netcord level when you make contact), even if it's short, it's a low percentage shot to try to hit an outright winner. Just execute correctly.

Either: (1) hit a full groundie cross court to the opposing corner and recover to bisect the opponent's angles, or (2) hit an approach shot to the dtl corner and cover a dtl pass attempt forcing the opponent to try to pass cross court, or lob. If it's really short (ie: half way from the baseline to the service line), (3) mix in a few drop shots. That will keep him guessing and make your deep returns all the more effective.

 

[r2473]

Have you tried buttercream frosting?

 

[Limpinhitter]

Have you tried buttercream frosting?

Have you been getting high with LeeD again?

 

[r2473]

Have you been getting high with LeeD again?

LeeD and I are working on a "joint" phd together.

Seems much easier than playing tennis.

 

[LeeD]

PhD equals physical education to me.