Fix Your Service Return
First published on 9-09-2009. Bookmark & share
by Randy Lynn Rutledge - a previously certified USPTA Tennis Teaching Professional
( Note: retired in good standing, but stopped making USPTA dues payments )
( Note: retired in good standing, but stopped making USPTA dues payments )
This article suggests variable progressions of a tennis service return.
The return of serve is a reactive stroke or hit. Ideally, the receiver of serve is properly positioned to allow enough time to react to the action, speed, and placement of a served ball to return it back into the server's half of the tennis court with exact and strategic placement.
Racquet Preparation
From a stable ready position, a tennis player uses variable movement direction and distance of footwork patterns, shoulder turn, and tennis racquet to respond to the approaching serve and to execute the progressions of a desired stroke or hit.
From a stable ready position, a tennis player uses variable movement direction and distance of footwork patterns, shoulder turn, and tennis racquet to respond to the approaching serve and to execute the progressions of a desired stroke or hit.
A tennis player's footwork, shoulder turn, direction of tennis racquet movement, and distance of tennis racquet movement are all functional variables of a serve return.
Positioning the Non-Dominant Hand
The positioning of the non-dominant hand is a functional variable of the serve return. Typically, use a neutral placement of the non-dominant hand on the tennis racquet, from where the hand can slide down, or up, to respond appropriately according to available time and desired force.
The positioning of the non-dominant hand is a functional variable of the serve return. Typically, use a neutral placement of the non-dominant hand on the tennis racquet, from where the hand can slide down, or up, to respond appropriately according to available time and desired force.
The Ready Stance - Weight Distribution
Your weight is normally positioned over the front part of your feet and your knees should, at least, be slightly bent, or unhinged. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart.
Your weight is normally positioned over the front part of your feet and your knees should, at least, be slightly bent, or unhinged. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart.
Tennis Racquet Ready Position
The tennis racquet ready position should allow for equal success on a forehand or a backhand serve return. The tennis racquet is in front of your body and its positioning is a functional variable.
The tennis racquet ready position should allow for equal success on a forehand or a backhand serve return. The tennis racquet is in front of your body and its positioning is a functional variable.
Read the Server's Actions
Closely watch the opponent's ball toss and all serving motions to gain clues as to the type of serve you will be returning, ball speed, and landing location.
Closely watch the opponent's ball toss and all serving motions to gain clues as to the type of serve you will be returning, ball speed, and landing location.
Split Step
Do a split step at the approximate moment that the server's tennis racquet contacts the tennis ball. A split step is a slight upward hop of only a couple of inches, so that when you land you can more easily move in any direction.
Do a split step at the approximate moment that the server's tennis racquet contacts the tennis ball. A split step is a slight upward hop of only a couple of inches, so that when you land you can more easily move in any direction.
Footwork, stroke length, racquet path, string-to-ball contact point, and the action (speed and spin) to be applied to the tennis ball are all functional variables of a service return.
Footwork & Shoulder Turn
Footwork is used to prepare the shoulders and to move the tennis racquet into a position from which to begin the forward portion of a chosen stroke to respond to a tennis serve.
Footwork is used to prepare the shoulders and to move the tennis racquet into a position from which to begin the forward portion of a chosen stroke to respond to a tennis serve.
Stroke Length
The length of the stroke used to return a served tennis ball should vary according to the speed which must be created.
The length of the stroke used to return a served tennis ball should vary according to the speed which must be created.
Tennis Racquet Path
The desired action to be applied (speed and spin), net clearance, and available landing distance should determine the path of the tennis racquet for any specific type of stroke, or hit, to be used as a return of serve.
The desired action to be applied (speed and spin), net clearance, and available landing distance should determine the path of the tennis racquet for any specific type of stroke, or hit, to be used as a return of serve.
String-to-Ball Contact Point
The location of the contact point (early, late, high, low) is a functional variable of a return of service. Returning a high or a low serve requires the contact point to be slightly farther forward than a ball contacted at an average height, in order to clear the net by a consistent amount of distance.
The location of the contact point (early, late, high, low) is a functional variable of a return of service. Returning a high or a low serve requires the contact point to be slightly farther forward than a ball contacted at an average height, in order to clear the net by a consistent amount of distance.
An early contact point (closer to the net) will tend to prevent the ball from going wide on the side of the court where it was struck. A late contact tends to allow the ball to go wide on the side of the court where it was struck.
Follow Through
The length and path of the tennis racquet follow through are functional variables of the return of service. Vary the tennis racquet path (high-to-low, low-to-high, and any other combinations) according to the desired action (speed and spin), amount of net clearance desired, and available landing distance for the return of service.
The length and path of the tennis racquet follow through are functional variables of the return of service. Vary the tennis racquet path (high-to-low, low-to-high, and any other combinations) according to the desired action (speed and spin), amount of net clearance desired, and available landing distance for the return of service.