Returning in the System

At the club level the return may be more important than the serve. The return of serve is one of the most misunderstood shots in doubles, technically as well as tactically. Conventional wisdom says that the serve is the most important shot. At the club level, however, the return is as important or possibly more important. What are the keys to a good return, both technically and also tactically? Technical If you've ever taken a tennis lesson or clinic on the return of serve you've definitely heard this advice, “take a short backswing." The concept of a short backswing is often correct. But as a rigid guideline it is counterproductive. It assumes that every serve is coming at the same speed at the same height with the same spin. I can usually tell when a player is mechanically trying to take a short backswing because they look very stiff and the returns are usually terrible. The single most important thing you can do on a return of serve is to have a consistent contact point. You must meet the ball in the same place in front of you every time in order to be successful. This is the role of...