Patterns and strategy · 3 min read
The return: the most profitable shot to improve
Improving your return pays off faster than improving your serve. Position, compact swing and clear targets.
Principles
- Split-step as your opponent strikes the ball on the serve.
- Compact swing: unit turn and short stroke, especially against first serves.
- Default target: deep to the middle. Crosscourt if you have time. Against the second serve, step in and attack.
- Against soft seconds: step into the court, keep your feet active, shorten your grip and place rather than crush.
To review after the match
In the app, when you mark that your opponent was “Weak second serve”, we ask whether you tried:
- I stepped into the court to return the second
- I attacked the second and came to the net
- I placed it instead of crushing it
To practice on court
Zone returns
20 returns: points if they land in the deep middle third.
Goal: Neutralizing return.
Fitness that helps
- Reactive split-step with cuesSplit-step and explosive first step in the direction shown on screen.
- Ball drop catchA partner drops a ball without warning; you sprint and catch it before the second bounce.
Ideas inspired by Brad Gilbert, “Winning Ugly” (ch. 8, “Destroying your opponent’s game plan”).