Return Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind. Don't try to think of them all at the same time. Choose one that applies to you, concentrate on it until it becomes automatic, then move on to the next one.

Margin of Error

When returning any kind of hard serve, give yourself as much margin of error as possible. Clear the net by a few feet, don't try to skim it. Aim the return a couple of feet inside the lines; you may hit them anyway, by accident! Just make your return solid enough so that you don't start the rally on the defensive.

Pressure on the Return

What do you do against someone who rushes the net after serving, or when playing doubles against opponents who run across the net and volley any soft returns?

Competitive players can disregard the previous tip and try to hit low returns or aim for the sidelines. But still leave a margin for error -- there's no point hitting the return much harder than necessary and missing.

If you are a beginning player:

• By the time you face opponents like this, your strokes should be solid enough that you can hit sharply angled or low returns and make them most of the time. If not, chances are that your opponent is much more experienced; use the match as a practice session and hit your regular shots, don't lose your form by going for shots you can't make.
• How do you know your opponent has a good volley that will hold up in a match? Get the ball back "by any means necessary" and force them to hit two or three volleys to win the point. They may miss a few and lose their confidence.
• If you don't have confidence in your lob, don't expose your doubles partner to enemy fire by randomly throwing the ball in the air. A low or normal return is not easy for your opponents to volley for a winner, and at least your partner will have some chance if the ball is hit at them.

Returning Second Serves

Stand closer to the net than for first serves. (What are the chances that the second serve will be anywhere near as hard as the first?) Moving up means less running forward if the serve lands short, and being in position to hit a solid down-the-line or sharply angled return.

As a consequence of moving up, you may find that you have to hit the ball when it's high or as it's still rising. These are important shots to master, so you may as well start with second-serve returns.