The Return of Serve

Quick Look

• Everything starts, as always, from the ready position: on your toes, knees bent, paddle out front, off hand on the throat.
• Against a deep serve with pace, the backswing stays short. There is no time for a big loop.
• Twist the trunk the moment you read the ball, back or forward, and keep the backswing compact.
• Power step with your outside foot and get your feet into position so you are not reaching.
• Swing through the ball and give it medium height over the net, since you are hitting from deep.
• If the return is tough, target the middle of the court. If you can pick a spot, go deep to the backhand corner.
• The ball is going in, so sprint the next three steps to the net and get ready for your fourth, a deep volley.
• Much easier said than done. That is why we keep taking reps.

Ready Position

As always, it starts with the ready position. Bend the knees, get on your toes, paddle out front, off hand resting on the throat of the paddle. This is the same setup I use on every shot. Being on the toes is what lets me push off in any direction without a wasted step, and the off hand on the throat keeps the paddle from getting lazy while I wait for the serve.

Twist the Trunk

The moment I see where the serve is going, back or forward to my forehand or backhand, I twist the trunk. That trunk twist is the trigger for the whole shot, same as the forehand.

Here the backswing stays short. Against a serve with real pace there is no time for a big loop, so I keep it compact and bring the paddle straight back. A short backswing is more repeatable anyway, and against pace it is the only option.

Feet

Power step with the outside foot and work to get into position with the feet. The goal is to let the footwork set the contact point so I am not reaching for the ball with my arm. If my feet get there, everything after is easier.

Swing

Swing through the ball and give it a medium height over the net. Since I am returning from deep in the court, I want enough margin over the net to land the ball deep, not a flat drive that clips the tape.

On placement: if the return is super challenging, I just target the middle of the court and get it back in play. If I have time to pick a spot, I go deep to the backhand corner.

Sprint

The ball is going in, so now I move. The next three steps are a sprint to the net to get ready for my fourth shot, a deep volley. The return is not the end of the point. It is what buys me the trip to the net, so I do not stand and admire it.

Key Takeaways

• Start from the ready position every time: on your toes, knees bent, paddle out front, off hand on the throat.
• Twist the trunk to trigger the shot, and keep the backswing short against pace.
• Power step with the outside foot and let your feet set the contact point.
• Swing through to a deep, medium-height return. Middle of the court when it is tough, backhand corner deep when you can pick.
• Sprint to the net right after contact and get set for a deep volley on the fourth.

Much easier said than done. This is my thought process and points of emphasis for myself, so take it or leave it. The more we hit, the better we get.