Serve return (need help)

[Double-fault]

Hello.
What (how)the best way to return a strong serve?
Forehand and backhand.
Thank you for all your help
:confused:

[ericb]

To return a strong serve, you'll have to start taking less of a cut at the ball by shortening your backswing. Although you should always keep your eye on the ball, it is particularly important when receiving faster serves to follow the ball all the way to the point of contact. At first, just try blocking the ball until you become comfortable with the timing and centering the ball. Then you can gradually start taking bigger cuts as you become used to the higher service speed.

Your placement and footwork are equally important when receiving: as the server hits the ball, you should do a mini "split-step" so that your body is already in motion as the ball comes to you. In terms of placement, if you see that the server has trouble hitting certain spots, take advantage of it and place yourself accordingly. You can also move back a bit if they are unable to serve hard-angles with spin.

It can also help to have a look at how some of the pros return. You'll often see Andy Roddick 8 feet behind the baseline to receive second serves, while Agassi is pretty constant no matter who is serving. Federer is probably one of the best right now at 'reading' someone's serve, thus improving his placement.

Hope this helps,

Eric

[Hawkeye2]

Hi,

first of all you should turn your upper body to the side of the serve as soon as you can guess it.

Anything else can wait, but only this turn will give you some "extra" time because you no longer need to take your racket back.

After this turn you can start to move if necessary.

Try it, it works !

Bye

[Double-fault]

Thanks for the tip.
Will work on it next time out.
;)

[Jaypro]

DF please GET YOURSELF SOME LESSONS!

[Jaypro]

I didnt mean to make that last post so short haha...yes please get some lessons from a local pro...not only will you get solid advice (make sure the pro is USPTA) but you'll also meet new people to play with. great way to meet chicks ;)

[Double-fault]

Thanks for your advise JayPro.
I'm low on private lesson fund. (Trying to saving money for the new stringing machine).
Have been playing tennis little over a year, so I have a lot to learn from.
(Start to play tennis at the Old age, the body won't keep up with game, Motrin after every game) :(
I get great tips from here. (my serve improving alot)
So I get all the help I can get.
;)
Thanks everyone for the tips, Thanks the StringForum.
Keep on writing the tips here.
:D

[kwick]

Hey JayPro,



I didnt mean to make that last post so short haha...yes please get some lessons
Did you know that there is an edit button so you can alter your own submissions before they are seen. It avoids having to make embarrassing haha cover up responses and second submissions for your afterthoughts. Delete is even better..... :p

My prediction is that JayPro will respond to this by saying "somehow i posted my submission without realizing it, so there was no way to edit, or delete anything kwick" - Am I clairvoyant or can I use the edit function ?


DF please GET YOURSELF SOME LESSONS!
Are you on some kind of mission to find employment for all the hard-up tennis pros in the US :eek:

When has anyone ever responded to you with "Go take a lesson" even though it could have saved themselves a lot of time and effort.

You've been reading too many responses on that GSS forum again dude : (eg. Go join the USRSA.......) :p

later,

kwick.[/QUOTE]

[Jaypro]

somehow i posted my submission without realizing it, so there was no way to edit, or delete anything kwick. and no i am not on a mission, nor am i hard up for lessons thank you very much. I have enough clients to keep me busy 5-6 days a week. all i meant was that it would be advantageous for DF to take some lessons thats all..we can give him all the advice in the world here, but on court instruction and demonstration is much much better... ;)

[kwick]

JayPro,
Why don't you re-read my previous posting and don't take me so seriously. It was a wind up..... :)
Ciao,
kwick
By the way, I agree that lessons are much better. I myself invested 150 bucks on a 2 day stringing course from a GSS tournament stringer. From nothing, I learnt 1-piece, 2-piece and ATW stringing techniques and patterns in those 2 days. You couldn't get a better start. Since then, I have been learning every day and have enjoyed sharing my limited knowledge and some useful diagrams from my investment with yourself and anyone interested. In return, I have learnt much from many others on this forum. Your point about lessons is correct albeit it a bit obvious.
Now then, Wind-up or serious :confused:

[Jaypro]

sorry, i do get a bit wound up around here, blame JayCee haha...who was the GSS guy that taught the course? Tim? I'de love to go to 1 of those. where was it?

[Double-fault]

Thanks everyone for the tips.
My return serve much better :D
Again, Thank You
(Y'all are safe for now, untill another question come up)
;)

[kwick]

JayPro,
The course I did was in the UK by one of the guys on the Athens Olympic stringing team. I'll add the link but I guess it's a bit out of your way. I'm sure you can find an equivalent in the US.
Cheers,
kwick

http://www.rssrac.co.uk/Page_1x.html