Contact Moves: Defensive Returns

The Power Move: a long lunging cross step to return a wide fast serve. In this series we are looking at the Contact Moves to develop world class footwork on the return of serve. In the last article, we looked at the patterns for aggressive returns. (Click Here.) Now let's turn to defensive returns. The classic Defensive Contact Move on the return of serve is what I call the Power Move. Players use the Power Move on the return on both the forehand and backhand sides when they are pushed wide, with the weight moving across the body on a diagonal sideways or even backwards. The Power Move allows players to cut off the angle of the oncoming ball. It also allows them to keep good balance so the recovery footwork can be dynamic and explosive. For each of these Contact Moves we will outline: 1. Type ball on which to use contact move 2. Out steps or the steps to set up the stance 3. Hitting Stance 4. Contact Move itself 5. Corresponding Balance Move 6. Recovery Steps A pivot into an open stance, the lunge step and landing, a breaking step and a crossover recovery step. Forehand Return...