Defensive Redirection Drill from the Service Line / Reflex Return Against Fast Pace

Before you start

• Have a friend or partner stand at the service line and blast fast serves or practice hitting consecutive fast serves at you.
• Adopt a conservative grip and clean unit turn.

Movement sequence

1. Perform a split-step timing your preparation against incoming pace.
2. Utilize a clean unit turn with a conservative grip to maintain a unified returning system.
3. Get the racket face more square to the incoming ball and take the shot like a volley with a follow-through.
4. Redirect the big serve back with a shorter swing path and proper weight transfer.

Key points

• Keep the racket face less open and more square.
• Ensure your swing path is more in line with the incoming ball.
• Use a compact backswing and a volley-like action with a follow-through.

Common mistakes

Falling into the trap of thinking you have to slice, chip, or float the return back just to get it in play. Using open grips and loose or complex unit turns that lead to struggles against big servers and fast pace.

Practice notes

Chips are for parties; great returners like Roger Federer get the racket face more square to redirect big serves back with practical purpose. Players who return best against big servers have the most conservative grips and the cleanest unit turns.