Doubles Serve Return: 5 Questions | EXTENDED LESSON

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Timestamps: 1. Is it important for you to have a routine when returning serve? - 0:00 2. How do you avoid constantly slicing the return of serve in doubles? - 5:34 3. How do you attack a second serve in doubles? - 12:55 4. What is your target when returning down the line in doubles? 19:17 5. How do you practice your return of serve? 22:52

[@ricardocabrera6245]

This is the closest it get to a private lessons,, and the timing couldn’t be better for what I am working on now, Thank you.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Happy to help Ricardo, thanks!

[@doosrajawad]

Great stuff. I live where it is easy to find paid hitting partners. There are lots of return drills you can make up. 1. Only one kind of serves (say, to the backhand only) 2. Serve from inside the court 3. Serve-return-drive-volley: returner rushes to the net, server tries to fire one at his feet. 4. Classic server and volley. Returner tries to fire one and the feet of the rushing server. etc

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Yes these are great drills, all need a partner though. Thanks Jawad!

[@dariusd2003]

This came at a good time. Thanks for the video.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Thanks for watching!

[@NVishwanath1971]

Any video instructions to show how to return serve from the ad court in doubles?

[@4justiceagainstevil]

Brady, I recently came across your videos and they are wonderful! Good flow, good topics, not too lengthy. Your points in this video are just great and very enjoyable to hear them. I'd just like to emphasize that unlike during the point where react first and think later, on return of serve my routine includes: 1. Meticulous positioning 2. On clay, ensure foot support, no mounds or hollows (sometimes I compromise position a bit to have at least one foot on the tape, which gives better traction for that initial spring to action) 3. Continuously remind myself eyes on the ball from toss to after hitting This routine has enabled me to hit controlled big returns avoiding the volley guy or past him when they poach too early

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Good stuff Dan. Never thought about positioning on the tape on a clay court, but it makes sense!

[@rich.e]

@@DailyTennisLesson definitely going to try that one.... thanks both of you.

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

If you take this lesson from the server’s perspective you learn to observe what your opponent does well and what gives them trouble on the return. Then use this information when deciding where to place your serve, which type of spin to use and where they tend to place their return. I was a baseball pitcher before I played tennis and I was coached to factor that in. It really helped my tennis game especially in doubles or serve and volley tactics. You got to keep mental notes on your opponents and plan your tactics according to the score and game situations.

[@KherojitSingh-dk1ek]

❤❤ ur lessons sir, i am taking all the resources out with me thanks a lot sir 😂❤.

[@geoffhess2267]

Great tips. Looking forward to working on all of them. Two problems occasionally crop up on my doubles returns against weaker players: 1) putting an easy forehand return into the net and 2) over hitting my return on a short serve. Obviously, I need to practice these scenarios…

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Get out there and practice them Geoff!

[@fosterromano6674]

Great Advice . Video is well done

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Appreciate that Foster!

[@DianaReimanHomes]

Thank you for getting back to me. I will practice!

[@pierredaher9590]

wonderful teaching many thanks,

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Much appreciated Pierre!

[@jazzmaster349]

Really great strategy video!

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Thank you Gregory!

[@Mickey_McD]

Thanks, Brady! Do you lob return on occasion when playing doubles?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Yes especially on a good first serve against an active net player, notably a flat serve on the deuce side that I'm stretching in continental grip for.

[@nilminiweerakoon623]

Great video

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Thanks for watching Nilmini!

[@jazzmaster349]

Brady what are your thoughts on the height of the bounce of the serve? For example on a low bouncing serve I will not go down the line because I feel its too much work to put shape on the ball in such a narrow window, perhaps you have some other thoughts on that?

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

First pay attention to where the serve lands in the box. If there is a predictable pattern on the first and second serve you should adjust your position towards your favorite side. Don’t be afraid to move forward on weak serves. Play to the serve score and game score. Most important is to practice your return of serve. Playing doubles is more challenging because of second player who can cut off returns that would be good in singles. As a tennis coach and doubles specialist I am a big advocate of cross court because it opens up the middle of the court between the server and their partner. Doubles is about playing and hitting to zones and working as a team. I see a lot of 4 people playing singles on the same court more than players actually working together to set up a placement to win a point together.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Thanks for watching Thomas--appreciate the input!

[@stevengershman9404]

Backhand return is my mental downfall. It’s been the Achilles heel of my game. I will try and work on changing my grip to BH faster. What about starting in a backhand grip if we feel like we have a stronger forehand return no mater what grip? Tracking the ball on my backhand return is also a problem. Suggestions? Thanks Brady

[@DailyTennisLesson]

This isn't a terrible idea. If you have a two-hander, another option is to start in your forehand grip with your dominant hand and in your backhand grip with your non-dominant hand--then only your dominant hand switches if you hit a backhand return...so you're ready for both.

[@jazzmaster349]

Despite the fact is not a true serve, I still take my ball machine and aim it to my BH side in the deuce and ad courts and just simply practice changing my grip, short back swing, eyes on the ball, and hitting the ball back. It helps tremendously.

[@enriquemorin5569]

Thanks

[@DailyTennisLesson]

You're welcome Enrique!

[@jimmoorhead742]

Do you visualize your forehand and backhand returns for each point?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Yes this is a great tool to use. Here's a video I did on this: www.dailytennislesson.com/video/visualize-the-return-return-tips/

[@jimbike8064]

What's my target on the deep loopy forehand? The corner near the ally? What part of the net should the ball go over? I get poached a lot at the net. Net man gets in my head. I'd rather get a hard hit ball than slow or medium paced.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

I like to use the singles sideline as my target, especially if I'm getting poached in doubles. It's far enough from the opposing net player but still gives me 4+ feet of needed margin.

[@K4R3N]

We lost heartbreaker match last night due to too ease serve returns and their net guy got into his groove late in the match. Subscribed now. We got a rematch in 2 days

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Good luck in the rematch!

[@K4R3N]

@@DailyTennisLesson thanks man, I'm taking your advice. Proper cross court or body shots at their net player. Opposing team is 6 foot players with good wingspan, they're just gonna keep punishing the high slow half-lobs. Need to watch your forehand videos next.

[@lammhult100]

@@K4R3N how did the rematch Wendt?

[@K4R3N]

@@lammhult100 rematch delayed until October due to one of the opposing player is injured slightly

[@the1tfactor]

I am assuming that if opponent is serving shallow out wide you would just move that whole back-and-step-forward split apparatus closer to the baseline?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Yes that will help cut off angles, but leave you slightly more vulnerable to the "T" serve.

[@the1tfactor]

@@DailyTennisLesson So in general, starting further back helps us defuse bombs and helps with T serves, and starting closer in helps with cutting off angles, especially out wide. So it sounds like we really need to pay attention to tendencies to make a sound positioning choice. Like, do they go out wide on the ad or deuce when they need a point, or is up the T their go-to, etc.

[@charliepost5619]

How about (doubles) returning a serve in the ad court when the server hits a good serve to your backhand? I find that in many cases I am preoccupied with just getting it back, anywhere. The opponent at the net is pretty intimidating when you are stretching pretty far to your (right handed) backhand side in the ad court. What do you think about popping one over the net person in this case, instead of trying to make a good enough return that the net opponent can't poach? Otherwise, the angle involved necessitates hitting something very shallow and doesn't give much room for error. On the other side of the net, the serve to the opponent's (right handed) backhand in the ad court in doubles seems like a great idea even when they are expecting it, if you can get the ball wide enough.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Do your best to return this serve crosscourt. The return lob is not a bad play, but a wide serve actually opens up more on an angle for a crosscourt return. The best serves in doubles are generally to the "T", which reduces angled returns and makes it easier for the net player to snag a volley.

[@machxlr8]

This is a great lesson. Backhand return is a huge issue for me. I chip everything and get killed in doubles.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Definitely try and start coming over the ball, as that will help keep the net player in check!

[@machxlr8]

@@DailyTennisLesson Thnx for the tip! I think you nailed it on the head though in your video. Subconciously, I am forgetting the wrist turn on the backhand return and I am leaving the racket face open causing me to chip the return.

[@dmf30]

why not start in full eastern backhand grip as it is a quick change the other way?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

You could do this but I like to start in the the grip I intend to hit with, which is a forehand. Also the non-dominant hand plays a bigger role on backhands compared to a forehand.

[@ProfessorBoooty]

What is your target when u go cross court in doubles ?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

I like to aim to where the singles sideline and service line meet, especially against a serve and volleyer or an aggressive server's partner. If not playing

[@sebastianrichardson3530]

What is that intro song called

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Sorry I'm not sure.

[@charliepost5619]

At one point you emphasized the value of hitting right at the body of the opposing net player when returning a serve. What is the protocol, if any, for hitting at that net player? If you hit one a little out of control and it hits that opponent above the chest, is that unethical? In other words, suppose you can hit it really hard but are not always in control of the height of the return - should you be backing off because you might hit someone in the head? I hit a nice low one the other night that was so hard that the net player had to take a few minutes to shake out his hands. It was very effective as a shot, but I still felt bad about hurting his hand. Should I? Also, once one of these returns gets away from you and hits the opponent too high (not the one I just mentioned), I think that can change the nature of the match into something less enjoyable, particularly if the opponent gets nailed. What is your position on all this?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

No one is trying to hurt anyone, it's just part of the game. You've likely been hit as well in doubles. The intent is not to hit your opponent, it's just the best target sometimes. You can always by them a beer after your win :)

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

I your case there was not intentional malicious intent in your return. As a high school tennis coach I would say the player serving made his partner a target by hitting a weak serve that you could absolutely tee off on. The player at the net should adjust their position to a safe location if they are intimidated and not confident in their partners serve skills. However on short balls or lobs if a player near the net turns their back before the ball is hit this is a signal they concede the point. If you hit them it is a major breech of sportsmanship. If you get hit like this you make sure to return the favor as soon as possible and at every opportunity.

[@stevengershman9404]

I hit a one hand backhand. Usually late on my preparation.

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Shorten that backswing and do your best to keep it away from the net player. Doesn't have to be the best return, just an effective one.

[@DianaReimanHomes]

My backhand is my weakness. How do I get myself to turn and step forward towards the net?

[@DailyTennisLesson]

Preparing early is key on any stroke, especially on the backhand. Use your non-dominant hand to literally pull your racket to the side in your unit turn--this is pretty much mandatory on every backhand you hit. Best of luck on it Diana!

[@FairwayJack]

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