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TennisOne Lessons 
Understanding the Return of Serve David W. Smith, Senior Editor TennisOne It may be a cliche, but it is also a truism that the return of serve is the second most important shot in the game. Other than the serve, it is the only shot attempted on every point, so getting it right should be every players highest priority. But face it; the return of serve is a different animal than a rally groundstroke. Understanding the difference can open the door to executing more effective, more consistent returns even when returning the most aggressive of serves.
Return Dynamics The most obvious differences between a return of serve and a rally groundstroke is the trajectory of the incoming ball. The serve, generally struck near the top of a server’s reach, is initiated from around nine feet or higher above the baseline. This downward arc, depending on speed, spin, and angle of trajectory, creates a ball that bounces much differently than a groundstroke that was hit at waist-level from the opposite side of the net. In addition to this difference in ball-bounce, the spin that a good server can produce (the axis of spin as well as the amount of spin) adds to this conundrum of the bounce. A right-handed kick serve to the ad court, done with proper ‘kick action’ will make the ball bounce higher and more to the left. A huge advantage, since most right-handed returners will have a difficult time getting around this serve for a crosscourt return.
In doubles, a good kick serve usually produces a lot of easy volley put-aways for the server’s partner. In singles, a good kick serve will often force opponents to hit weak returns down the line exposing the potential crosscourt winner once the return has been made. Because the serve is hit into the service box, the added steeper angle that the serve will naturally take compared to a groundstroke adds to this dynamic of having to return the serve from usually a different location relative to the body. Generally, many good servers force opponents to hit the return from shoulder height or higher, unless the returning player has made a significant adjustment in position as I mentioned earlier. However, such positioning modifications often come with a cost: If I move in and try to take the return earlier, I run the risk of hitting the ball late or being too close to the ball. Moving back well behind the baseline to allow the serve to drop lower opens up the angles and puts the returning player in a defensive position relative to the court. In doubles, when a player moves back to return the serve, this added distance that the return of serve will need to travel to cross the net gives the net player more time to read and respond.
Movement Dynamics Generally speaking, groundstrokes are usually hit while moving to the ball, involving the need to set, plant, hit, hold, and break-step, all within each groundstroke response. When hitting returns of serve however, the amount of time to react and make contact with the ball allows for usually one or two steps at best. Many times, we simply lean or turn to hit a return off a serve that is hit at or near us. Thus, it is hard to gain rhythm or timing on a return of serve like we often get when in a groundstroke rally. In fact, we often see players slapping the return or chopping at it because of this lack of comfortable timing. Overcoming Inertia At the pro level, players move forward, split-step as the server makes contact, and then move toward the ball — in other words, the body is in motion during the hit. At the club and recreational level, however, the return of serve is generally hit from a stationary position. While we may know we should incorporate a split-step as our opponent contacts the serve, then make our feet move us into better position relative to the ball, most players simply make a turn and swing (and many don’t turn at all). This lack of pre-shot movement not only reduces the opportunity to make contact in an optimal location relative to the body, but it also robs the body of the kind of natural rhythm one experiences when hitting a groundstroke. Overcoming this inertia and finding the body’s natural rhythm is one of the keys to hitting a consistent, more effective return of serve. Because, from a more stationary position, the tendency is get far less of the body behind the stroke and swing momentum is severely restricted. As a result, the player ends up trying to swing more with the arm and uses very little of the “kinetic chain” that would otherwise be available. That said, if we understand that we simply won’t have the kind of movement available to us, we can still avoid relying too heavily on our arm and wrist if we remember to do two things:
Reaction Dynamics Speed, spin, location, and inertia all combine to make players react to the serve differently than they might for a groundstroke. When hitting returns, there is a tendency to tense up and to look up (especially in doubles), and a tendency to face the net and slap, chop, or lunge at the ball. When we tense up, we become more rigid and stiff. We grip the racquet too firmly which adds to this inflexibility. These actions tend to make us less malleable, which can in turn inhibit the kind of quick, reflexive movements needed to execute an effective return. Also, when we tense up, we loose our ability to stroke the ball, instead, we tend to make stabbing, pushing, or slapping movements out of panic or desperation. These actions also make players reduce their body turn when executing the return of serve. One of the more detrimental things I see players do when playing doubles is they fail to turn sideways with their upper body on the backswing. When players face the net this way, they tend to push the return because they simply can’t generate any angular momentum. In doubles, where crosscourt returns are essential, it is very hard to hit the ball crosscourt from either court when facing the net. Shorter is Better Because of all the aforementioned elements that create differences between the return of serve and the groundstroke, we need to understand that sometimes shorter is better! A shorter backswing will diminish the timing demands, making for a more controlled stroke. Because oftentimes we are returning a very fast serve (especially when playing against higher levels of skilled opponents), we don't have to over cook the stroke to generate pace. Rather, we can use the pace of the incoming ball to generate enough pace to neutralize the serve. In singles, a short stroke, under control, hit crosscourt and fairly deep is far better than trying to generate offensive excessive pace and it allows us a better opportunity to keep the ball in play. A crosscourt return is usually a neutralizing return and puts the onus on the opponent to respond. In doubles, keeping the return away from the net player is the first challenge. Hitting it low, crosscourt, and angled, usually creates an opportunity for the return team to immediately go on the offense.
Ways to Execute a Good Return Understanding the dynamics can help a player formulate a return of serve strategy. Obviously, knowing and executing are two different things. However, understanding the “Why” can help you execute the “How” of any tennis stroke. We see this when we teach tennis: pros who teach the “why” with the “how” develop players who can be critical thinkers on the court. If we only teach the “how,” we often don’t encourage players to make adjustments as they play. If we understand how the serve is different, we can better anticipate the action of the ball and react to it more effectively. A high-bouncing ball should be hit with a driving stroke. The ball is already above the net so we don’t need to hit up necessarily, to gain clearance. Driving through the ball with a slight upward brush will help keep the spinning serve from spraying off the racquet face. The upward brush will help impart some topspin. However, since the ball is above the net, the goal is to drive the ball forward and let the natural angle of the drive coupled with gravity keep the ball low. In doubles, this type of return is very effective at getting the ball crosscourt and at the feet of a net-rushing server. Avoid rolling the racquet face over the ball. This common mistake is amplified by the height of the ball and the natural “reverse pendulum” action our arm acts like when hitting a ball above our shoulder plane.
Getting our shoulders sideways is the key to giving yourself a chance to stroke the ball instead of pushing, slapping, stabbing or flailing at it. There is a tendency, especially in doubles, to want to see what the opposing net man is doing. This “peeking” makes us open up early. Work on getting sideways so that you can stroke the ball crosscourt; this crosscourt return ability is also imperative in singles play. Working on the backhand slice return is also important to get the body very sideways. The slice backhand is dependent on a very sideways position both when hitting crosscourt from the ad court for right-handers as well as—if not more important—for the right-handed deuce court player to hit the inside-out backhand slice or topspin stroke. The best returners in the game do these things and they do them within a context of being relaxed. Obviously, if you have developed good strokes and you gain the experience of playing, you can go into the return game with a sense of confidence. However, even some of the best players tense up and end up unconsciously doing the things I’ve mentioned here. All players need to be aware of the things that go into making a solid return, then consciously employ them enough times so that they become habit. Dynamic Drills The best way to practice the return is of course have someone serve to you so you can implement the proper return dynamics. However, there are a couple drills that can speed up your learning curve. Service line serves — Have a partner serve to you from their service line instead of the baseline. This position amplifies the ball’s bounce and spin while giving you less time to react. Mastering this will increase your ability to react to normal serves while teaching you to turn, shorten your stroke, and remain balanced. Stand Closer In — Practice standing closer for some returns. This practice, like having your partner serve from the service line, increases your perception of the speed of serves and reduces the time you have to prepare.
As with all drills, make sure you are not trying to accommodate the action by developing detrimental practices. Often, when we are faced with less time on any shot, we resort to wristy movements or other stroke elements that don’t contribute to our improvement.
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