Tennis Return Of Serve Drills

Key points

• Set a visible target near the opponent's baseline to emphasize depth over aggressive placement
• Hit with heavy topspin and adequate net clearance to keep the server behind their baseline
• On body serves (especially in the ad court), step in and take backhands to stay positioned toward the inside of the court rather than running around it

Common mistakes

Trying to hit outright winners off neutral serves, or running around body balls on the ad court and getting pulled completely off the court.

Key points

• Have a partner serve from the service line to simulate heavy pace with reduced reaction time
• Use a conservative grip and compact unit turn with a shortened backswing
• Keep the racquet face square to the incoming ball path and punch through like a volley with follow-through

Common mistakes

Taking a long loopy backswing against big serves, or defaulting to floating, defensive slice chips that sit up for the opponent.

Key points

• Step forward into the court to take the ball early on the rise
• Avoid returning passively down the middle where the server is recovering
• Commit to a definitive directional forcing target: aggressive down-the-line or sharp crosscourt angle

Common mistakes

Hitting aggressive returns back through the middle of the court into the opponent's strike zone.