Returning fast serves

[Teh_pwnerer]

This buddy has a big serve (when it goes in) and i gotta admit im kinda afraid of the ball hitting my precious, but i know i have a racquet to send it back, so what can i do to return a fast serve, really fast and kinda strong..

THX

 

[Jonnyf]

Stand further back, and slip step into the ball. Also take a smaller swing and finally- Search the board for all the other tips aswell

 

[Doc Hollidae]

You have a few options:

1) Blocking the ball back. This means taking little to no backswing and just following through. The serve will provide more than enough pace for you to get the ball back at a decent pace and depth. Watch clips of Agassi. His strokes were so compact and he would used the pace of his opponent against them.

2) Chipping the return. Watch Federer. He's a master at it. It's similar to blocking the ball back, but you're utilizing slice and keeping the ball low. It's a much more safe/defensive shot compared to blocking. With blocking you can often go on the offensive if struck cleanly. For doubles, chipping would be the preferred return since it keeps it low and at the server's feet.

 

[fuzz nation]

You're opponent has done a lot of work for you by hitting that hard serve. All you have to do (as long as it's within reach) is block it where you want it to go - more like a volley than a stroke. When you get comfortable with this, you can give a server fits without working hard at all. My pals have convinced me to use more of my hellraiser serves that spin and kick all over the place because of this feature. The heavy spinners are often tougher to return offensively, but they're usually easier for me to land at a higher percentage.

Remember that as the returner, you can pick different spots to set up for your return and that can give a server "something to think about". If you sneak in as the server starts up to hit for example, you can catch him napping, chip a quick return, and climb on top of the net before he can blink.

 

[Seifersquall1]

Stay back, split step, and slice or block it.

 

[brownyazn]

block it
but if you have to
use a very short back swing
don't go past your hip

 

[krz]

don't forget to go continental for both sides

 

[Doc Hollidae]

don't forget to go continental for both sides

Not in all situations. Chipping yes, but not everything in general. For blocking use your normal ground stroke grips.

 

[Teh_pwnerer]

Ok thanks guys ill try it today, all tips.

 

[krz]

Not in all situations. Chipping yes, but not everything in general. For blocking use your normal ground stroke grips.

I find if I have enough time to change grips I have time to take at least a half swing at the ball.

A big server with good disguise won't let me change grips.

 

[godprint]

what if the serve is really flat and has a low bounce? how do i handle those?

like blocking it back would mean i have to open my racket face quite a bit right?

 

[NLBwell]

No, not if it is a hard serve - you will hit it over the fence.
If the ball is coming up at you at 30 degrees from the ground and your racket face is perpendicular to the ground, it will leave your racket going upward at 30 degrees (if the string bed were in a perfect world, which it isn't - but you get the concept, I hope)

 

[krz]

I usually go continental and chip, blocking them back results in a lot of balls sailing long.

 

[Noveson]

I use my normal grips, then hit the ball almost like a volley. By that I mean I basically have no backswing, just followthrough. Works especially well with my two handed backhand. I've hit with a lot of D1 players and this is the only way I could do it.

 

[Teh_pwnerer]

I use my normal grips, then hit the ball almost like a volley. By that I mean I basically have no backswing, just followthrough. Works especially well with my two handed backhand. I've hit with a lot of D1 players and this is the only way I could do it.

Thanks, thats what i ve been trying to do and it seems to work just ine

 

[BlahDow]

when i'm playing someone with big serve i just stick the racquet out and hope i hit it..the ball usually goes fast enough i don't have to do much to get it into play

 

[Forza Milan]

You can always move back...give yourself extra room and time to react to the ball...look to block the return like a volley instead of trying to swing at it.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

I think a lot of people are confused with teh difference between blocking and chipping. When referencing blocking, think of Agassi's return. Short, compact, strokes, with little to no backswing. Chipping is more what Federer and Sampras do. In a way chipping is a form of blocking, but with underspin rather than flat or topspin. Also blocking is a much more offensive option.

 

[cliff]

Check out Andy Murrays return, very simple and compact.

www.procomparetennis.net has some great free clips of Murray in action

His return clips really show why he is so effective at returning