Left hander - Returning in Doubles
Service Return
Grenville Pereira Asked 13 years ago
Hi Alois & Jeff
In a doubles match , I have an opponent who mixes up his serves which I have trouble returning.
The opponent is right handed and has a sort of a tomahawk action.
The different varietes of serves which I see comming is
- a) heavy topspin and this has quite a bit of side spin as well
- b) there is a variation in this topspin which is slower and is a short serve
- c) there is a heavy backspin serve
- d) there is also a variation on this backspin which is very much slower serve.
Being a Left Handed player and returning from the right side I am using backhand to return where I feel I am able to topspin better with forehand.
Can you please guide me on the position I should use while returning and also any clues on how to best read variations in spin and speed based on how the ball moves and to have more consistent service returns. (Also sometimes I have an idea on the speed but it is too late , I have already moved into the shot and its too late to change )
Thanks
Regards
Grenville
Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago
Hi Grenville,
It is the most difficult part of the game.
To work on the fast serve return, I have found that standing back a little is the best way. It is easier to move forward rater than backwards.
If you want to use your forehand a little more to return serve, just move a little to your right and it will open the table up a little more with your forehand. This is important as a left hander otherwise you will get caught on your backhand side. Being a left hander in doubles you have a real advantage in returning serves.
Thoughts on this question
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Grenville Pereira Posted 13 years ago
Hi Alois
Thanks for the reply . I'll practise the variation of coming forward to take the serve and also the other point of standing side on to the table. Do you have any videos or video links to demostrate the best way to tackle serves , i.e for pivotting around and taking the serves with your forehand or just improving your back hand counterhits. Also i case i position myself one step back from the table wont it make it difficult for me to lift short serves.I remember seeing in your DVD of service return you mention that depending on what serves the opponent serves often , based on this you position yourself from the table(either close or one step back ). Is that the way I need to go about adjusting my position based on my opponents serves.
Thanks
Regards
Grenville
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago
Hi Grenville,
It really does depend a lot on where your opponent has positioned themselves for their serve and also what type of serves they have been troubling you with. Our lesson on the Ready Position goes through this concept with you. Take a look at it and let me know if you have any other questions.
Grenville Pereira Posted 13 years ago
Hi Alois
Thanks a lot . This answers my question and I will work on receiving serves consistently from the 'basic ready position' and also make the adjustments based on how the opponent varies his postion.
I will also try and keep looking for flaws in the opponents position as well and vary my serves and shots accordingly.
Regards
Grenville
Grenville Pereira Posted 13 years ago
Hi Alois and Jeff
Thanks for the video response. I was being caught on my backhand , exactly as indicated in the video . I started trying out the new receiving position. Right now i am able to topspin the long serve which not much speed which gets attacked( looped back ) by the opponent sometimes. I guess as I practise more , the speed of the loop returns will increase , making it harder for the opponent to attack.
Thanks
Regards
Grenville
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago