Return of Serve

After the serve, the return of serve is the most important shot in tennis. Successful tennis players have consistent returns. It is well recognized that the server has a major advantage. So, what to do about it? Much can be done to minimize that advantage and in order that you should be thinking such measures as your opponent serves, here they are:

Assessing Player Readiness

Players must constantly be reminded to be ready and pay attention to the server. Teach players to watch the ball during the toss. This allows for immediate tracking skills to take place. It is often necessary for the player to move toward the ball for the return. These can be very difficult concepts to master, but are necessary for the player to progress.


Teaching the Skill

* The basic ready position (using a forehand grip), presented in the groundstroke lesson, is used in the return of serve. Use the key words "relax," "look for the ball" and "be ready."
* Players should begin a yard or so inside the baseline, close enough to touch the singles sideline. The position is the same for both singles and doubles play.

* "Relax"
* "Look for the ball"
* "Be ready"
* "Turn"
* "Shorten your backswing"
* "Move your feet"

Return of Serve Stroke

* The return of serve is similar to the forehand and backhand, with a shorter backswing due to decreased time to react to the ball. Use the key words "turn," "shorten your backswing" and "move your feet."
* The student turns as if preparing for a volley and takes the racket back as the body is turning. This helps teach a shorter backswing.
* Footwork is similar to groundstroke preparation. With limited reaction time, the athlete may take just one step toward the ball before contact. Be sure that the initial step or steps will achieve a suitable position 'split step'. A step in the wrong direction will tell the coach that more time is needed working on tracking skills.
* To practice return of serve, have the athlete track the oncoming serve and catch the ball in a short court format. Increase distance as skill progresses.A young player and a beginner must be taught to receive not further back then the baseline.It would have to be an exceptional service for a young player to force another youngster to go further back.
* Note: a tennis player should never have both heels on the ground at the same time. In getting ready to return serve, a player must be on the balls of their feet and split step and prepare just before returning the ball.Most services at that age and class level should be taught to move in toward the net for the second service if they note a certain player's second serve is usually short, and in some cases they could move in almost to the service line.

To allow them to learn to stand behind the baseline is almost encouraging flat-footedness, lack of thought, a slow get-'em-all-back spirit and a negative attitude to quick thinking during play.

The main reasons why standing a yard or more behind the baselin is poor tactics are:

1) The further one is back from the net the more difficult it is to hit winners, and it is difficult for a player of any level to hit a winner from two yards behind the baseline against a player of a comparative standard.

2) The additional time it takes for the ball to travel the extra four yards (two beyond and two back to the baseline) can make the difference a net-rusher being in a defensive volleying position and a winning one.

3) It is almost impossible for anyone but a first-class player from a yard or two yards behind the baseline to reach a good drop shot or drop volley and make an effective stroke.

4) It is not possible for most youngsters to reach even a mid-court ball and play it well when starting to run from two yards behind the base line.