What is your game plan in returning serve? Some days I am hitting winners off returns and having some success. Its lots of fun and am having a great time. However if the serve is a little tougher or I am off, the next thing I know I am hitting too many unforced errors. Sometimes I am donating a game or two to my opponent with all these unforced errors before I go to a more conservative game plan, trying to just get the ball in play, less pace and angle, and more down the middle and deep. I seem to have 2 extremes and am wondering how other people devise their game plan for returning serve? I realize there is not one game plan for all opponents due to many factors which come into play but there can be a general approach with modification. Looking forward to hearing ideas. Happy Holidays.
What is your game plan in returning serve?
- Thread starter hector
- Start date
obviously it is very dependent on how good the opponents serve is, but varying your service return based upon the score is the way to go. if you are familar w. traffic light tennis, that would definitely apply to the service return..ie; when you have a red light on your service return, when a yellow light, and when to really go w. the greenlight.
Camilio Pascual
Hall of Fame
Many servers are very predictable or tip their shots. On first serve, I will go for broke if I know what is coming. Unless it is a VERY fast paced serve, then I will block it back and try playing a counterpuncher/pusher game. On the second serves I see @ 3.0 to 4.0 level, I tee off on them and usually hit them directly back just in front of the server's feet. I follow these returns in to the net and try to win the point outright on my approach volley. Against decent kick serves, I just try to get it back over the net any way I can, these serves give me fits.
Against a tough server I try to just block it back to start the point or hit an agressive crosscourt if I can. Agaist a more predictible serve that is not real tough I try to go down the line to thier backhand side and charge the net. Once they start getting the hang that I am doing this most of the time, I will throw in a couple of crosscourts just to keep them honest.
I usually focus on getting every return back and playing out the points but if I am not breaking serve at all, I will try to attack especially with my backhand and go hard to my opponent's backhand. I will also attack up-the-line on both sides and see how that works. I sometimes make more errors when going on the attack by forcing it too much so try to relax when that happens and will often go back to just keeping balls in play mostly deep crosscourt so that I am not changing the direction on the ball which can cause errors.
Kevhen wrote:
"I usually focus on getting every return back and playing out the points but if I am not breaking serve at all, I will try to attack especially with my backhand and go hard to my opponent's backhand. I will also attack up-the-line on both sides and see how that works. I sometimes make more errors when going on the attack by forcing it too much so try to relax when that happens and will often go back to just keeping balls in play mostly deep crosscourt so that I am not changing the direction on the ball which can cause errors."
Pretty good sound tennis. Keeping the ball in play has its rewards so keep at it.
"I usually focus on getting every return back and playing out the points but if I am not breaking serve at all, I will try to attack especially with my backhand and go hard to my opponent's backhand. I will also attack up-the-line on both sides and see how that works. I sometimes make more errors when going on the attack by forcing it too much so try to relax when that happens and will often go back to just keeping balls in play mostly deep crosscourt so that I am not changing the direction on the ball which can cause errors."
Pretty good sound tennis. Keeping the ball in play has its rewards so keep at it.
court_zone
Rookie
Remember the old tennis adage:"Get the first serve back, and on the second serve attack."On the first serve, I usually do whatever i can to get the ball back and i play it safe. On the second serve is when i usally move in and attack my opponent's serve(i mix it up whatever i do). I try to change up how i return the first serve as well. But serves with a lot of spin like kick serves are trouble to me and i bet other TW members too, i have to really concentrate when returning serves like kick serves.
GrahamIsSuper
Semi-Pro
I have taken to chipping and charging on everything.... Although against better players with huge serves that chip and charge turns into a chip and pray.
I would also go with the first serve block it back, 2nd serve attack strategy if you weren't as comfortable kamikaze`ing.
I would also go with the first serve block it back, 2nd serve attack strategy if you weren't as comfortable kamikaze`ing.
Mahboob Khan
Hall of Fame
I try to do the following when returning:
1. Watch the service stance of the server .. his position on the baseline.
2. His toss;
3. His upper hitting bicep, arm, and the racket.
4. And try to track the ball from his strings.
Against first serve: I pray for a fault.
If it is an effective first serve, I will return cross court or down the middle deep. I do not take unnecessary chances when returning the first serve. My game plan is to return the serve so that I am equal with him -- 50-50 rest of the point! After I return the serve deep, I know that I neutralized him.
Against Second serve: My first option is going down the line because this way the server will be stretching to the other half of the court!
If I observe that the server has tendency to lean to his left, in the deuce court, I will return cross court.
Adv court: If the ball is relatively short to my backhand, I will chip and charge down the line because this way he will be away from this shot (he is serving from ad side, and I am chipping and charging down the line in his deuce side).
If the ball is to my forehand, I love to rip an insideout forehand. In certain situations, I will also go down the line (reverse down the line: my ad court, his deuce court) if I observe that he is serving from wide position!
1. Watch the service stance of the server .. his position on the baseline.
2. His toss;
3. His upper hitting bicep, arm, and the racket.
4. And try to track the ball from his strings.
Against first serve: I pray for a fault.
If it is an effective first serve, I will return cross court or down the middle deep. I do not take unnecessary chances when returning the first serve. My game plan is to return the serve so that I am equal with him -- 50-50 rest of the point! After I return the serve deep, I know that I neutralized him.
Against Second serve: My first option is going down the line because this way the server will be stretching to the other half of the court!
If I observe that the server has tendency to lean to his left, in the deuce court, I will return cross court.
Adv court: If the ball is relatively short to my backhand, I will chip and charge down the line because this way he will be away from this shot (he is serving from ad side, and I am chipping and charging down the line in his deuce side).
If the ball is to my forehand, I love to rip an insideout forehand. In certain situations, I will also go down the line (reverse down the line: my ad court, his deuce court) if I observe that he is serving from wide position!
I'm not the greatest returner so my number one priority is to keep the ball in play, hit it in the same direction that it came, and keep it deep.
If I'm returning well, I'll start moving it around and taking a bigger swing. I usually return wide serves cross court and usually change direction on serves down the middle as per Wardlaw's directionals. I find it easier to hit solid returns this way because it allows more hip and shoulder rotation than hitting inside out. And I'm not good at returning serves inside out so I typically avoid doing it.
My preference is to hit solid returns deep and to the corners, but depending on the person I'm playing, I'll take some pace off and go for bigger angles.
For what it's worth, I've worked a lot on quieting down the racquet head during my swing and using my legs and torso to generate pace. When I return well, it's because I'm doing these things correctly and only then am I able to implement the tactics described above. Return mechanics have to be simple!
If I'm returning well, I'll start moving it around and taking a bigger swing. I usually return wide serves cross court and usually change direction on serves down the middle as per Wardlaw's directionals. I find it easier to hit solid returns this way because it allows more hip and shoulder rotation than hitting inside out. And I'm not good at returning serves inside out so I typically avoid doing it.
My preference is to hit solid returns deep and to the corners, but depending on the person I'm playing, I'll take some pace off and go for bigger angles.
For what it's worth, I've worked a lot on quieting down the racquet head during my swing and using my legs and torso to generate pace. When I return well, it's because I'm doing these things correctly and only then am I able to implement the tactics described above. Return mechanics have to be simple!
On first serves I try to be conservative, but against players who don't mix up their placement I will sometimes go for a more agressive return (i.e. played against a guy that served to my backhand 80% of the time, on one point in the ad court I moved a couple of feet to my left and pounded an inside out forehand winner). My backhand returns arn't very good though, mostly I block it back with slice and concentrate on placement. I used to hit out a lot when I went for my returns but I found success with a small, compact backswing, a fast swing and a full followthrough, imparting as much topspin as I can in the process. One thing though, I'm hitting off-center pretty often when I do this, even on slower serves. Any way to make sure the ball ends up in the sweetspot everytime?
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
hector said:
Actually, I tend to play better when returning a difficult server. I may not return at my best, but for some reason my overall game is better. I believe it is because my concentration is better. I am not bored.
Also, I dont usually focus on hitting "winners" off the service return as I view this shot more defensive. In fact, I would like the point to last a little longer then going for broke often. If I can beat the serve with the ground game or net game, it places tremendous pressure on the server in every area of his game - including when he is returning.
Therefore, I return to return, my serve and the rest of my game is what I try to beat my opponent with. Of course, if the ball is ripe for the taken, I go for it, but the level of players I play just dont give you that often.
raftermania
Banned
Wow! A hall of famer!!!!
Well let's see if I can live up to my name.
I didn't read the whole thread, so most of this has already been said.
The keys to returning serve, in my mind, are actually very basic tennis principles.
1. Anticipation. This is something that comes with time, but you can take a crash course during the warm-up for the match. First you need to notice the handedness of your opponent. Right-handers tend to spin the ball out wide from the duece court, and into your body from the ad court. Opposite with left-handers. Mainly, this applies to second serves because most club players just try to bomb in their first serves, and spin will not affect it as much. So if you notice the pattern of placement and spin during warm-ups you can anticipate and get a jump on the serve.
Now, if they use a big kick serve standing farther back is NOT the right away to recieve, that's exactly what they want to do. The key is to treat the ball like an approach shot, and hit it before it can get above shoulder level.
2. Backswing. This is slightly more obvious, but a lot of players still don't use a proper backswing on return of serve. On second serves, most of the time it is okay to wind up and let one rip. But for first serves, unless you're playing someone who can't serve to save their life, you need to severly shorten your backswing. Especially when you also have to move quickly to get into position(more on that later). A good return backswing has two points. The first one is getting the racket lined up, so all you have to do is move it to either side of your body, at about the midpoint of a normal swing. The second is the swing itself. Since your racket is already in position to hit, a fast swing is a negative. Use the pace on the serve and simply follow-through the ball. One, two.
3. Positioning. Most people stand either on, or slightly behind the baseline to return serve for the first serve, which is a good place. The problem comes when the serve is actually coming at them. They either run parallel to the baseline, or backwards. You've got to move into the ball, shorten the distance by running forward on an angle. If it's coming right at you, of course, all you've got to do is move to either side, whichever shot you're more comfortable returning with. Positioning is very important on serve return because if you hit a weak return, obviously you're already out of the point.
Whew...I think that's about it. Correct me on anything I messed up with, if you see it, or just tell me to shaddup.
Hope I helped.
I didn't read the whole thread, so most of this has already been said.
The keys to returning serve, in my mind, are actually very basic tennis principles.
1. Anticipation. This is something that comes with time, but you can take a crash course during the warm-up for the match. First you need to notice the handedness of your opponent. Right-handers tend to spin the ball out wide from the duece court, and into your body from the ad court. Opposite with left-handers. Mainly, this applies to second serves because most club players just try to bomb in their first serves, and spin will not affect it as much. So if you notice the pattern of placement and spin during warm-ups you can anticipate and get a jump on the serve.
Now, if they use a big kick serve standing farther back is NOT the right away to recieve, that's exactly what they want to do. The key is to treat the ball like an approach shot, and hit it before it can get above shoulder level.
2. Backswing. This is slightly more obvious, but a lot of players still don't use a proper backswing on return of serve. On second serves, most of the time it is okay to wind up and let one rip. But for first serves, unless you're playing someone who can't serve to save their life, you need to severly shorten your backswing. Especially when you also have to move quickly to get into position(more on that later). A good return backswing has two points. The first one is getting the racket lined up, so all you have to do is move it to either side of your body, at about the midpoint of a normal swing. The second is the swing itself. Since your racket is already in position to hit, a fast swing is a negative. Use the pace on the serve and simply follow-through the ball. One, two.
3. Positioning. Most people stand either on, or slightly behind the baseline to return serve for the first serve, which is a good place. The problem comes when the serve is actually coming at them. They either run parallel to the baseline, or backwards. You've got to move into the ball, shorten the distance by running forward on an angle. If it's coming right at you, of course, all you've got to do is move to either side, whichever shot you're more comfortable returning with. Positioning is very important on serve return because if you hit a weak return, obviously you're already out of the point.
Whew...I think that's about it. Correct me on anything I messed up with, if you see it, or just tell me to shaddup.
Hope I helped.
raftermania
Banned
Very good tips! But you forgot to tell us how to hit a "returnace." 
Ah, I did didn't I?
Well, I've done it a few times myself, and being a lefty I like to use my backhand for it. When returning from the ad court, if I get a serve up the T I hit the ball extremely late, giving me a great angle towards the far sideline. Like an inside-out forehand, really.
Or, you could always try the drop shot.
Well, I've done it a few times myself, and being a lefty I like to use my backhand for it. When returning from the ad court, if I get a serve up the T I hit the ball extremely late, giving me a great angle towards the far sideline. Like an inside-out forehand, really.
Or, you could always try the drop shot.
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
ReturnAce said:
I would add good footwork and quick feet. Return of serve is more about eye/foot coordination then anything else since the backswing should be short.
Being right-handed, when my slice serves are on, I tend to hit them just a bit to the backhand side of a righty, especially if they dont run around it. That way by moving to hit a backhand, they jam themselves, beautiful stuff. Moral of the story, watch out for slice serves and take them on your forehand (if you're handedness is the same as your opponent's) if it's near your body.
One thing, against really short 2nd serves, or underhand serves that stay low, what would be a good play? I was thinking a deep shot with a lot of topspin, but what other ideas do you guys have?
One thing, against really short 2nd serves, or underhand serves that stay low, what would be a good play? I was thinking a deep shot with a lot of topspin, but what other ideas do you guys have?
On a dinker serve? Heh...all I've got to say is, you know how to hit an approach shot. Do it.
As for the really low ones, if they have pace then a good idea would be to slice it back (from the backhand side, obviously) deep into the court, low as you can comfortably hit it. On the forehand though, topspin is a good idea if you can manage it easily enough. Without any pace, you can pretty much do anything you want with the ball.
As for the really low ones, if they have pace then a good idea would be to slice it back (from the backhand side, obviously) deep into the court, low as you can comfortably hit it. On the forehand though, topspin is a good idea if you can manage it easily enough. Without any pace, you can pretty much do anything you want with the ball.
Mahboob Khan
Hall of Fame
I think we have covered it all.
vinouspleasure
Rookie
have we covered it all: Mental prep
I didn't see this mentioned...Before the serve is struck, I have a plan. Here's an example:
first serve to bh: block cc
first serve to fh: topspin cc
I've thought about this plan before I've stepped into the ready position and I've visualized my stroke path for these returns.
I find this helps me quite a bit.
I didn't see this mentioned...Before the serve is struck, I have a plan. Here's an example:
first serve to bh: block cc
first serve to fh: topspin cc
I've thought about this plan before I've stepped into the ready position and I've visualized my stroke path for these returns.
I find this helps me quite a bit.
