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RETURN OF SERVE
The return of serve is the 2nd most important part of tennis after the serve itself.
Just like in the way there are many different type's of Forehands out there, the same is true for returners.
Some players like to be aggressive with their returns, others want to make the return so they will block or chip it.
A good player will be able to do both.
So what makes a good returner?
Andre Agassi-One of the greatest returners of all time
THE SPLIT-STEP ON RETURNS
The split-step is important in all aspects of the game but when returning it becomes even more important. If you time the split-step correctly you will gain time along with the explosive power in the legs that you need to catch the return, if timed incorrectly you can be late and slow for reacting.
SO WHEN DO YOU NEED TO SPLIT-STEP ON RETURNS?
YOU SHOULD BE LANDING WHEN YOUR OPPONENT HITS THE BALL (CONTACT POINT)
ANY EARLIER AND YOU WONT BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE THE BALL IS GOING
ANY LATER AND YOU WILL BE IN THE AIR WHEN THEY MAKE CONTACT AND WILL HAVE LESS TIME TO REACT
THE ONLY TIME THIS WONT WORK IS IF YOU ARE PLAYING AT A LOWER LEVEL AND THE OPPONENTS SERVE IS VERY SOFT AND SLOW, IN THAT CASE YOU CAN TAKE A FEW SPLIT-STEPS AND REACT AS SOON AS YOU SEE WHERE THE BALL IS GOING
SO IF YOU NEED TO LAND WHEN YOUR OPPONENT MAKES CONTACT YOU WILL NEED TO TIME THE SPLIT-STEP WELL
SOME PLAYERS WILL START OFF IN A WIDE LOW BASE AND THEN JUST SPLIT FROM THERE, OTHERS WILL START BY MOVING FORWARDS THEN DOING THE SPLIT AND OTHERS WILL BOUNCE FROM LEG TO LEG AND THEN SPLIT
HOWEVER YOU WANT/PREFER TO DO IS UP TO INDIVIDUAL STYLE BUT JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING IT ON TIME
Novak Djokovic in his ready position for the return of serve
Novak Djokovic in the air on his Split-Step
WHICH GRIP?
When waiting to return we recommend-
FOR DOUBLE-HANDED BACKHAND PLAYERS hold the Forehand grip with the bottom hand and the Backhand grip with the top hand. If you are right handed this will be the right hand is in the FH grip and your left hand is in the BH grip.
FOR SINGLE-HANDED BACKHAND PLAYERS hold the the racket in the Forehand grip most of the time (only time you should start with the BH grip is if your opponent is attacking your BH constantly on the returns)
The reason behind all of this is simple-If you wait with a Backhand grip and it comes to your Forehand then there is no quick way of changing the grip, however when you wait with the Forehand gripand it comes to your Backhand your top hand (for double handers) and your non-hitting hand (for single backhands) can help change the grip quickly.
FOREHAND DRIVE RETURN
5 KEY THINGS FOR THE FOREHAND DRIVE RETURN:
1.SEE THE BALL AS YOUR OPPONENT TOSSES IT UP AND WATCH IT UNTIL AFTER IT HAS LEFT YOUR STRINGS
2.SHOULDER TURN (IF TIME PERMITS IT)
3.LOADING ON OUTSIDE LEG (RIGHT LEG FOR RIGHT HANDERS, LEFT LEG FOR LEFTYS)
4.SHORT SWING (IMAGINE THERE IS A WALL BEHIND YOU AND YOU CANT TAKE THE RACKET PAST YOUR BODYS LINE)
5.CONTACT POINT IN FRONT OF BODY
BACKHAND DRIVE RETURN
5 KEY THINGS FOR THE BACKHAND DRIVE RETURN:
1.SEE THE BALL AS YOUR OPPONENT TOSSES IT UP AND WATCH IT UNTIL AFTER IT HAS LEFT YOUR STRINGS
2.CHANGE INTO BACKHAND GRIP
3.SHOULDER TURN (IF TIME PERMITS)
4.LOADING ON OUTSIDE LEG
5.CONTACT POINT OUT IN FRONT OF BODY
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