The first step towards winning a point in tennis is to get the point started. Even though the return of serve looks like a regular groundstroke, there is quite a bit more to it. Learning to block fast serves, chip and charge, and returning spin serves are skill sets that must be targeted and developed.
Review the advice in the return technique section to take your return of serve to a whole new level.
We recommend you start with our series of return lessons below. It includes 11 lessons from footwork all the way through the swing. Alternatively, you can use the filters below to find a specific return technique video.
Improving your Tracking Ability on the Return
One of the most common mistakes when returning is failing to track the ball into the racquet after the bounce. Here is a drill to help you practice this. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, regis...
Eliminate any Tension when Returning
Tension is one of the main causes of unforced errors in tennis and the return is one of the strokes where players tense up the most. Improve your return by first recognizing tension and the eliminating it. To get access to t...
Track the Ball from the Bounce to the Racquet for Better Returns
A very common source of mistakes in tennis is failing to track the ball from the bounce to the racquet, and the speed of the serve makes it even more prevalent on the return. Next time you are on the court keep that in mind every time y...
Stay Still for a Better Return
In order to return effectively you need to be able to perfectly time a ball coming at great speed towards you, and the only way to do it consistently is by eliminating any superfluous movement. Stay still for better returns! ...
At Times All You Can Do on the Return is Use Your Forearm
At times the serves are coming so fast that the only way to generate some forward momentum is to use your forearm. On these extra fast serves set up with the racquet head close to contact and use your forearms not your arms to send your...
Set the Racquet Head Behind your Contact Point as Soon as Possible
To return effectively you need to avoid swinging in a steep angle. Instead a solid return swing will usually be fairly flat. Here is a good way to achieve this. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here,...
Different Types of Footwork to Return
Every return involves the split step but different players take different approaches. Some move in, some stay in place and some even move back. Take a look at your options. To get access to the videos and premium media, just...
Imagine you are at the Net when Blocking a Return
To block a return you will need to set the strings behind contact and push forwards with a little under spin. If you picture a volley you will be on the right track. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login ...
Synchronize your Feet with the Serve to Improve your Return
As a returner you are under tremendous time constrains. If you do not move as soon as the ball leaves the opponent’s racquet you will most likely not reach a well placed serve. Therefore having an automatic, efficient split step routi...
Get Behind the Ball to Return Better
Anytime you have a chance, move behind the ball to return. Avoid reaching if it is not absolutely necessary. Reaching will easily get you off balance and will decrease your chances of hitting a powerful return. To get access...
Use a Very Compact Swing for an Effective Return
The key to returning effectively is to make contact with the ball in front of the body. Due to the serve speed, taking a normal swing at the ball will usually lead to a late contact point. A much better alternative is to shorten your ba...
Attacking Forehand Return Side View
This is a good example of a return with a full swing, one used to attack a weak serve. The side view shows cleary how the player exploits a weak serve by starting an early move to set up her forehand and attack it with an aggressive swin...
One Handed Blocked Backhand Return Body Front
One of the most effective serves is the body-serve, which forces the player to move sideways away from the ball to return. This return requires an extremely short backswing and follow through since the player is not really able to swing ...
One Handed Topspin Blocked Backhand Return Front
Returning a very fast requires a very compacto swing. The player barely has time to turn the torso and set the racquet head behind the incoming ball. In addition, the swing will usually aquire more of a linear form when compared with muc...
Two handed backhand Return back
Returning a very fast serve requires a very compact swing. The player barely has time to turn the torso and set the racquet head behind the incoming ball. In addition, the swing will usually aquire more of a linear form when compared wit...
Return Two Handed BH Front
The slice serve will make the ball rotate sideways and curve. In order to accomplish this, the player has to hit the side of the ball and attack the ball with an angled racquet head. From this back view, it is very easy to see how the pl...
Return Two handed BH blocked Front
The faster the serve, the less time to recae and return it. Therefore, the player has to shorten the swing both on the backswing and on the forwards swing to be able to return effectively. Here is a good example of this. To ge...
Return FH Back
In women and junior tennis the return can be one of the weakest shots in the point. A good returner will take advantage of this and start the point attacking using an aggressive swing Let's take a look at an example. To get ac...
Return FH Front
Here you will have a chance to take a closer look at a return of a week serve. The player has time to step into the court and take a large backswing to generase pace. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login h...
Return FH Side
This is a good example of a return of a weak serve. The side view will show us clearly how the player takes advantage of the slow ball to step into the court and attack it with an aggressive swing. To get access to the videos ...
Return FH Slice
Sometimes the best way to return a fast serve is by blocking it back with slice. Here is a good example of how to do this. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or bec...
One Handed Backhand Slice Return Front
A slice return is a control shot very similar to a vollley. The player uses a compacto swing to block the ball safely back. Let's take a look at its key components. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login...