I’m going to be honest with you…
Our original Return of Serve video didn’t hit the mark.
I almost didn’t send it. It overcomplicated something that’s actually very simple.
So instead, I’m breaking it down for you here—because this drill is too important to skip.
Here’s the core principle:
Don’t stay back after your return.
-
If the serve is deep: short-hop your return, then move quickly to the kitchen line.
-
If the serve is short: run through the return to gain momentum and buy yourself time to get up to the line.
You want to be in position and ready for your opponent’s third shot—not stuck in no man’s land.
How to Drill It:
-
Have your partner serve while you return.
-
Their goal: create serve variation.
-
Your goal: return and immediately move to the kitchen every time.
-
Switch roles every 10 serves to keep it balanced.