One common denominator on the professional tour is that all the elite players can return serve well! Some have better serves or groundstrokes or net games, but they can all return effectively. After all, it is the second most important shot in tennis!
Click photo: David Ferrer takes a hop forward, then keeps his lower body in a more open stance position while coiling his upper body before contact. Note how he finishes with both feet inside the baseline after contact.
I have found over the years of teaching that hitting the return of serve creates more uncertainty in the minds of tennis players than just about any other shot! Frequently asked questions I hear are:
Should I just block the ball back?
Is it important to learn how to chip and charge?
How big of a swing should I take?
Where do I stand and when do I move up or back?
What do you recommend I should do with my return against someone who has a lot of spin on the serve?
For doubles, how often should I hit the return at the net person versus crosscourt?
Let me begin my analysis with what I see as the two most common mistakes when returning serve.
Trying to win the point or hit too big of shot. Remember, the server has the advantage because he is hitting the ball first. The goal of the receiver is not to win the point but rather neutralize it. Yet too many players try to go from defense to offense with one swing of the racquet! Instead, a transition from defense to neutral is a much higher percentage play.
What defines “neutral?” At the very minimum, get the return back in play! If you are playing someone who serves and volleys then a return at his feet is a great neutralizer. Go for placement over power.
Players do too little with their feet and too much with their arm/racquet. So, the ball “plays them” as the common saying goes. When that happens, it naturally leads to more exaggerated movement with the arm and racquet.
When the ball plays us, it often means we allowed the ball to get to close to our body before we react. A consequence is the reduced ability to swing and hit the type of return we would prefer. Our return is dictated more by the location of the ball rather than changing (Moving) how we position ourselves to the ball before we hit it. The former is more reactive; the latter proactive.
Look at an NBA player getting ready to defend someone dribbling the ball towards him. Does he start moving his feet well in advance of the person dribbling the ball toward him or does he wait until the opponent is "on him?" In the same way, a cornerback in the NFL begins moving his feet as soon as the receiver starts in motion. He does not wait until the receiver is "right on him." The concept of returning serve is similar. The best players do not wait for the ball to bounce and get close to them before they begin to react with their feet, they start moving about the time the server makes contact – and so should you.
Click photo: Tommy Haas executes a perfect "chip and charge" with the backhand return of serve. Notice how once he commits to the shot his feet never really come to a complete stop until he gets to his desired position at the net!
While there are multiple issues regarding return of serve, for the purposes of this article I would like to take a closer look at the role the feet and movement play in the shot.
A good place to start is making a distinction between returning a first serve versus a second serve. For the sake of argument, let me assume we are talking about returning a “tough” first serve and a slightly “weaker” second serve versus the disparity between a ballistic missile first serve which rarely goes in and a dinky three mph second serve!
First Serve
I recommend the concept of “Defend vs Retreat.” Meaning, wherever you decide to stand to return a first serve, “defend” your position on the court. Do not move your feet backwards as you are trying to hit the ball.
If the serve is too fast or too difficult then change your position prior to the serve being hit and defend that territory. The goal is not to retreat and weaken your court position. Think “defense” first!
Second Serve
On a slower second serve, at least think about being “active” with your feet. Move forward towards the ball. What often happens with weaker second serves is players stand still, wait for the ball to get to them, and then try to swing out with force. Moving up on the ball and taking it earlier gives an opponent less time to react to your shot. At some point you have to start moving so the choices are to 1) Stand still, hit, and then move or move and hit simultaneously. The latter is more aggressive.
At the pro level (particularly on the ad court for the right-handed players), we see this kind active footwork all the time – rather than hit a backhand return of serve, a player will slide over on a slower serve and hit an inside-out forehand. Again, taking the opportunity presented by a slower serve and playing more aggressively. But unless you stand outside the alley to begin with, the only way you have the time to slide over is if you begin moving your feet as the server is hitting the ball.
Defining Moving the Feet on Return of Serve
Click photo: Caroline Wozniaki uses what I would call a "defensive" action. She neither retreats nor attacks with her feet but simply holds her territory. This should be the basic foundation for all tennis players on the return of serve. If you cannot do anything else at least try to defend your position on the court.
The idea is get your feet moving to some degree before you make contact. Here are some of the common ways to do so:
Hop-hop-hop – We have all seen the players who are constantly hopping or bouncing up and down as they wait to return serve. My only issue with this style is it can waste a lot of extra and unnecessary energy which, over the course of a long match, can create added fatigue. I am not convinced, for the amount of energy used, it makes anyone significantly quicker in reacting to the ball.
Hop - Split-step – I think this is the most common approach. One hop landing into a split-step and ready to move in any direction depending on where the ball is going. Note: “Split-step” is not “split-stop.” The feet do not become still.
Stagger step - Split-step – John McEnroe used this style whereby you start with your feet in a slightly staggered position and then take a step then split-step forward. It creates more momentum towards the ball.
So, at what point should you start moving your feet?
We are talking about a very short time frame here and the common debate centers on as soon as the server starts his motion, to right before contact, to at contact or right after contact. Honestly, you have to decide what works best for you but do not be afraid to vary your approach based on the style of the server. If you play a “quick server” who has a Roddick-type motion your feet need to get moving early than if you were playing someone with a traditional more languid motion.
Other Issues and How to Practice
What are the advantages of moving your feet on the return? It is an example of how to play more aggressively which has nothing to do with hitting the ball harder! Moving your feet enhances your reaction time to the ball. Basically, it helps you overcome inertia. This is some what analogous to Newton's First Law –
An object at rest stays at rest. So, from a still position, it is harder to get the body moving. as opposed to starting from a standing still position.
Click photo: You may notice a very slight backwards step with the left foot of Venus Williams but look where she starts – inside the baseline! Venus (Serena too) likes to crowd the baseline or stand inside it to return serve. This is another option for you in lieu of stepping or hopping forward. It is a more aggressive variation of the "defend your position" concept because you begin closer to the net.
Moving your feet on the return can also allow you to establish your preferred position on the court much earlier, whether that is at the net or at the baseline.
Is it okay to hit the return while my feet are moving? Of course! If you are playing anyone who is challenging you then most of the time you will be moving when you hit any shot. Watch the pros play, they are in constant motion through an entire match. If you want to play a sport where you can stand still all day while hitting a ball, then try golf!
Remember, unless you know your opponent’s serve well, moving your feet does not mean committing too early for either a forehand or backhand return of serve. Moving your feet is not “guessing” where the serve will be going (A common mistake), but rather it is to help once you decide which stroke you are going to hit.
The return is one of the easiest shots to practice either with your teaching professional or a friend. For the latter, he can work on his serve while you practice your returns and vice versa.
Here is one simple drill to practice moving the feet.
Start with your feet behind the baseline. After you hit the return, both of your feet should be inside the baseline. Whether you step or hop is up to you!
A drill I do all the time with doubles players is to see if the returner can “beat” the server to the net! The server, by rule of course, has to stand behind the baseline and cannot touch or cross it until contact. No such rule applies to the receiver! So they can start inside the baseline or behind it but move forward prior to making contact.
I have seen both server and receiver elevate their “attack games” using this drill based on nothing more than seeing who can first get a commanding position at the net!
Far too often tennis players warm-up for a match with their groundstrokes, take a few serves, and even some volleys at the net, but rarely if any significant number of returns. Yet again, as a reminder, the return is the second most important shot in tennis!
Spend a little time working with your feet and movement on your return of serve and see if it doesn't have a positive impact!
Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Dave Kensler's article by emailing us here at TennisOne.
Dave Kensler has 28-years of teaching experience with Peter Burwash International (PBI), the highly successful international tennis management company. PBI directs tennis programs at exclusive hotels, resorts, and clubs in North America, Europe, Caribbean, Asia, Middle East, Pacific, Central America, Mexico, and the Indian Ocean. Over 3 million people have received instruction from PBI Professionals during the 35-year history of the company. All PBI Tennis Professionals play with PRINCE racquets and wear PRINCE shoes. For information on PBI tennis destinations and employment opportunities please go to www.pbitennis.com.
