Service Return

G'day Alois

When an opponent serves short and spinny and side/top spin I tend to kind of over-the-table loop it back.  This is useful in that I can use the opponent's spin back against him.  However, I can become too predictable with this return and was wondering about all the other different ways I could return it.  For example, can I block it back?  Push it back? Block it back with sidespin? etc...?  During last night's competition, I tried just going over the ball and placing it but the topspin made me pop it up.

Perhaps this could be something to include in your upcoming service return DVD??? 

Could you start a new blog on things people want to see in the service return DVD and we could comment?

Thanks!

Ji-Soo

Hi Ji-Soo,

To return such a serve, you are probably doing the best type of return at the moment.  You can block it back but you would need to come over the ball a little more to keep it low. It also would tend to give your opponent an easy attacking ball.

You can push it back, but think about having a really relaxed hand to take away the effect of the topspin.  Otherwise the ball will sit up easily.

Sidespin is a good way to get the ball to stay short.  If you take a look at the lesson on Drop Shot off a Lob you will see the principle of keeping the ball short by using sidespin.

Thanks again for your suggestions about Returning Secrets.  I have written the Blog.  Here is the link.  Just go to the Blog to add your suggestions.

Service Return Secrets - Content Suggestions.

Thanks again.