The Backhand Returns

What are the keys to the variety of possible backhand returns?

In my last article I looked at the forehand return. (Click Here.) Now let's turn our attention to the backhand side. This requires a separate look at the one-handed backhand returns and the two-handed backhand returns. Some aspects are similar (and also similar to the forehand). But some aspects are very different.

As we did with the forehand return, we'll look at the differences between blocking a backhand return and hitting a swinging return. We'll also see how the use of one or two hands influences those options.

We'll look at positioning when returning--how close to the baseline should a player stand? When and why should you shift left or right? Finally, I want to raise another issue that is usually overlooked: the mental aspect of the return game. Is there is a difference mentally between returning with one hand versus returning with two hands? Is there a difference compared to the forehand?

Let's start with the similarities between the one-handed and two-handed backhand returns. The ready position and footwork are basically the same, the same as they are for the forehand. That makes sense since you don't know in advance which side the serve is coming to.

Posture, ready position, then the turn.

The checkpoints are simple. The knees are bent. On the two-hander the hands are together on the grip. On the one-handed backhand the non-dominant hand is placed on the throat. The player's back can be either straight or bent depending on the individual. But, universally on all pro returns, the back straightens and the player stands up as the toss of the serve goes up into the air.

As the toss goes up, the returner takes one or two steps either forward or backward, then launches into the split step. Video shows that the top players tend to be in the air just at or even just before the moment of the hit.

When the player moves backwards, there can also be more steps before the split. This typically occurs on slower surfaces like clay. We saw that on the forehand return this also happens when players are trying to run around to hit aggressive forehand returns. But overall, it's less common on the backhand, when players seeking to be more aggressive tend to go forward, not back.

Alternate step patterns to initiate the unit turn: the reverse pivot and drop step.

After the split step, the first step to the ball is with the outside foot (left foot for the righties). This is what I call "chasing the ball" with the outside foot. It is also a basic principle on the groundstrokes. (For more on this, Click Here).

On a serve hit directly at the player you will sometimes see a player take a reverse pivot step. On a stretch return you will also occasionally see a drop step where the outside foot moves backwards under the player, rather than stepping toward the ball.

But whatever the first step, it initiates the unit turn. This sideways turning of the feet and torso is a fundamental that is the same on both the one-handed and the two handed return.

At its greatest extent, the body turn on the return is virtually always less than on the groundstrokes. On the groundstrokes for both the one-handed and two-handed backhand, pro players typically turn the shoulders beyond perpendicular to the net, reaching an angle of 120 degrees or even more.

The amount of total shoulder turn is less on the returns.

On the returns, the shoulder turn usually reaches 90 degrees or slightly further, clearly less than the groundies. And on two-handed block returns, the amount of turn can be reduced substantially further.

On the backhand return, the contact can be made with an open-stance, a neutral stance, or a closed stance. On the forehand most returns are hit open stance, and occasionally neutral. On the backhand, players will hit open stance, but frequently neutral and closed stance as well. It's not that one stance seems to have the advantage so much as that the stance is dictated by the nature of the ball.

The terminology here can be tricky. Often the players are stepping forward or across into the shot, but don't get the front foot down on the court until after the contact, similar to the footwork on a running groundstroke. Even when the players are in the process of stepping far across their bodies, some coaches would call these returns open stance, though others would not. Regardless of the pattern of the step, or the terminology to describe it, the body turn and the alignment behind the ball are what is critical.

The subtle, but more compact movement of the racket tip on the return compared to the groundstroke.

Like the turns, the backswing paths on the backhand returns are more compact as well. This difference doesn't seem dramatic when we casually observe backhand returns. This is probably because the backswings on backhand groundstrokes are more compact in general compared to the forehand.

In the case of a player like Thomas Johannson, who already has a minimum of backswing on the two-handed backhand groundstroke, you can find many examples where the backswings appears identical on the groundstroke and the return. (Click Here).

But on most two handed returns, the size of the take back is reduced. The easiest way to see this is to look the tip of the racket. On most backhand groundstrokes, the tip of the racket usually goes back until it points directly to the back fence at about a 90 degree angle, or slightly further. On most backhand returns this angle is reduced. The hands don't go back as far, and the racket tip reaches an angle of say 70 or 80 degrees.

But it is very important to understand that this reduced backswing is usually combined with a followthrough roughly equal to that on the groundstrokes. Andre Agassi was the master of this variation of the two-handed return. I think this longer followthrough is the way to develop the drive return.

The basic pattern: more compact backswing, long followthrough.

As on the forehand, I believe that the followthrough is the only way players will learn to develop spin, hit through the ball, and control the return. So for the basic return, the right model is a strong turn with a somewhat abbreviated backswing, and a complete followthrough.

Having said that the drive is the first step, a complete return games means having the ability to block returns as well. With two hands, this blocking motion is basically just a shorter segment of the return swing described above. Two handed players block returns by compressing the backswing even further than on the drive return and then shortening up the followthrough as well.

The effect can be very dramatic. Watch Guillermo Canas, probably the most compact returner in the game. The tip of his racket often reaches only a 45 degree angle to the back fence. His followthrough sometimes continues for what appears to be 2 feet or less, after contact..

The two-handed block with dramatic reduction in backswing and followthrough.

It is important to note that even the most compact returns are based on the same strong initial unit turn as other returns. The other thing they share in common is the contact point. The reduction in the overall size of the motion allows the player to make contact at the right time, at the front edge of the body, in order to deal with the speed and spin of the return.

Great returners naturally adjust the size of their swings to the speed of the serve, and also, to the reduction of the available time interval. This is why it is so important to learn to swing first rather than block. The two-handed backhand groundstroke, the two-handed backhand return, and the two-handed block return are all based on the same fundamentals.

The ability to block effectively with two hands is one reason why you see relatively few one-handed slice returns from two-handed players. Another may be that two-handers simply aren't as comfortable or confident hitting with one-hand. For these reasons, the slice returns hit by two-handers are often from stretched defensive positions, or they are used as a change of pace tactic.

A slightly compacted one-handed backhand drive return: the best model for most players.

The drive return has become the dominate type of one-handed backhand return in the pro game. Like the forehand, the pros know if they hit a weak reply they may not get to hit another ball in the point. By driving returns with topspin a player can get greater height over the net and produce a higher bouncing ball for the opponent to play, which in general makes it harder to hit winners. I believe that what makes Federer such a great returner is his ability to attack with a full swing more often than most of his one-handed counterparts.

This type of swinging one-handed topspin return is a slightly more compact version of the one-handed groundstroke. It starts with the same first move as all the returns: a unit turn sideways with the torso and feet. If you wonder why Federer returns so well on the backhand drive, look at his immediate turn and the beautiful alignment and posture.

Again, when compared to the groundstroke, the total amount of body turn is somewhat reduced. On the one-handed drive return, the players turn the shoulders at least 90 degrees to the net, and usually somewhat further, but this is less than the maximum turn you see on the groundstrokes. When the players hit from extreme closed stances that turn can reach 120 degrees or more.

The differences in the shoulder turn between the one-handed return and the one-handed groundstroke.

As with the two hander, we also see a change in the position of the racket in the backswing on the return. On the one-handed groundstroke, the tip of the racket points well behind the player at the completion of the turn, as John Yandell has pointed out in his one-handed backhand series. (Click Here.)

When players maximize the shoulder turn on the groundstroke, the racket can actually go back until it is parallel with the baseline. On the one-handed return, this racket position is less extreme. This corresponds naturally to the reduced shoulder turn. The angle of the racket to the baseline is more like 30 or 45 degrees, although it can vary with the individual return.

This compressed turn and shorter backswing are combined with the same type of longer followthrough we saw on the two-handed drive return. Once again the followthrough is critical. The forward swing typically reaches an extension point that is the about same or slightly shorter as on the one-handed groundstroke.

This is a common thread. The point is to reduce slightly the size and/or amount of movement in the preparation but still learn to hit all the way through the ball and extend the finish.

Blake's flatter drive return.

Some players such as James Blake compress the one-handed return motion somewhat further, but not so much it can be considered a block. With James, the shoulder turn rarely reaching more than 90 degrees. You'll also see that his outside foot usually turns less sideways than other players. Often it is at an angle of 45 degrees or less toward the sideline, compared with 90 degrees in the typical body turn.

His forward swing pattern is also slightly different. This is due to the flatter nature of so many of his returns. There is usually less pronation of the forearm. You can see this because, as the racket moves through the contact zone, the racket tip points at the sideline longer. A player like Federer rotates the racket tip up more so it is pointed directly upwards at the most extended part of the swing.

If you look at most of Jame's returns, the racket tip stays at a flatter angle and points less upwards, or if it does point upwards, does so later in the swing.

This type of return pattern may look like a block, but the purpose is the opposite of the block. Rather than simply trying to block the ball into play with a smaller swing, James is hitting aggressive, flatter drive returns with this motion.

These returns are riskier and more difficult to time. If it's your inclination to return in this fashion you should definitely experiment with it after your foundation is sound. When James wants to hit a more conservative return, he hits with slice, as do most one-handers, as we will see.

True blocks and full groundstrokes: two other one-hand return variations.

These are the main variations, but there are other options that we see in the pro game. Ivan Ljubicic for example hits many flat backhand returns on first serves that qualify as blocks. The swing is radically compacted, similar to the two-handed block, with less turn and less followthrough. Fernando Gonzales at times will also use a block return that is similar to Ljubicic, but most times he swings more fully. You'll see Federer and Blake and others do it occasionally as well. But it's not the norm.

Contrast that to the opposite approach of a player like Richard Gasquet, who likes to move several feet back even on second serve returns. From this position he takes a backhand swing on his returns that is virtually identical in size to his backhand groundstrokes.

So let's summarize where we are at this point for most players. The logic we've explored on all the returns is this: learn the longer, fuller swing patterns first. Our goal is to develop the best returns possible, and 20 years of teaching convinces me of this path. Compact swings need the core preparation and some feeling of hitting through to succeed, and these can only be mastered in the longer motions.

The slice return is the basic block return for one-handers.

Compared to the two-handers, the use of slice on the return is much more prevalent for one-handed players. Most one-handers use the slice return the same way the two-handers use the block return. The obvious example in the pro game is the way Roger Federer consistently neutralizes Andy Roddick's first serve.

Although it is less and less common in pro tennis, t he slice returns can also be used as an offensive shot. The chip and charge return is an example of an aggressive slice return. Federer's short crosscourt slice return is another. But the majority of the slice returns made in today's game are used to put the ball in play.

As with the drive return, the fundamentals of the one-handed slice return are related to the groundstroke version of the stroke. At this point, I won't surprise anyone if I say that the best way to master the slice return is therefore through development of the slice groundstroke. In this way the fundamentals will transfer instinctively to the return.

The slice return can also be aggressive in the chip and charge.

When it comes to the slice return preparation, we find the familiar relationship compared to the groundstroke. The amount of unit turn on the slice return is reduced. As with all the other backhand returns, this is related to the issue of stance. The extreme closed stances on the groundstrokes are associated with more body turn, but players rarely use these extreme patterns on the returns.

There is a major difference though on the slice backhand return. On all the other backhand returns, we saw that the backswing was shorter, but the followthrough remained fairly long. On the one-handed slice return, this relationship can be the opposite. Some slice returns have noticeably shorter backswings, but many or even most do not. The position of the racket is much closer to the groundstroke at the completion of the preparation.

Compared to other returns, the slice typically has more backswing and much less followthrough.

There is an even bigger difference is the followthrough. Instead of equaling the length of the drive groundstroke, it's the opposite for the slice. The followthrough is significantly shorter.

On slice backhand groundstrokes in the pro game the players swing radically downward to generate enough underspin to control the levels of ball speed. But there is still a substantial followthrough. There is a sense of hitting down, but there is also a sense of hitting through. You see this is the followthrough where the racket hand can reach eye level on many strokes.

But the same is not true on the slice return. The swings are shorter and the followthrough is usually much lower. The finish is rarely higher than the mid chest and can be as low as the waist or even mid thigh level. The feeling is of hitting more sharply downward and less outward and through. This goes with the concept of neutralizing the speed of the serve and/or taking speed off in order to control the return.

Learning the slice drive is key to the slice return.

This abrupt downward swing is more difficult to execute than a slice drive on a slower paced groundstroke. But it can be developed if the player already has the feel in place for of hitting through the ball with underspin. One of the keys to developing a good slice return is therefore a feel for all the variations in slice groundstroke, learning to hit high hard balls, lower slower balls, and even drop shots. The feeling of controlling the ball with underspin is what translates into the ability to hit the block one-handed slice returns.

When it comes to positioning on the return, you see a tremendous amount of variety in the pro game. On clay, a player might be 15 feet behind the baseline. On a hard court or a grass court a player might be on or inside the baseline. But you can see every variation on every surface.

Bjorn Borg used positioning and speed.

BjornBorg, one of the great returners in history, played far back not only on clay, but on hard courts and even on grass because he was so phenomenally quick. Every player has to find his own comfort zone. In my own game I have tried many positions at various times, and found some were more successful than others against different opponents.

Against big servers, try standing significantly further back to allow the ball to slow down or kick serves to spin out. But be ready to run and move further to the ball when you are in this position. Generally this strategy is best suited for quick players who are good on defense. Or for use against servers who can only hit the middle of the box.

The other option is to move in. Standing in on or even inside the baseline is a good strategy for players with compact swings and good eyes and hands. Although the difficulty of timing these returns is much greater, standing in solves the problem of high kicking spin serves, allowing the player to contact them before they get too high. This is particularly an issue on the one-handed return.

Moving and taking the return early is one of the most obvious ways to return aggressively.

The strategy of moving in allows you to use the server's ball speed against him. By taking the ball sooner, you take time away from the server on his next ball. We probably all remember the backhand return Roger Federer hit against Roddick at this year's Open, a shot Roger said was his favorite of the entire tournament. This strategy is very common for players with great two-handed returns.

Shifting right or left in anticipation can be a good strategy, if you know which direction the serve is likely to go. If you observe the serving patterns of your opponents you can often be quite sure which way they will serve in a given situation. The pattern can be very general--a certain player always serves the backhand on second serves in the deuce court. Or it can be more specific--another player goes down the T on first serves on his ad points.

Positioning can also be used as more of a mental strategy. On big points changing up where you stand will give the server something to think about. For example, if you stand further to your right or left, you may force a server to hit the serve into the opening to the side you prefer. You may even illicit a double fault from a server trying to make a placement near the line.

In general, as a player, what should be the mindset on the return? A player has to develop an aggressive mind set to become a better returner. But what does that mean? It doesn't necessarily mean that you hit the return hard. In fact, it can often mean the opposite.

Aggressive returns are returns that lead to service breaks.

Yes, an aggressive return can mean stepping in, taking the ball early and hitting brilliant winners. But it can also mean chipping the ball and floating it deep.

What an aggressive return mentally really means is that you use your returns as the first step toward breaking serve. There may be a difference in how you use your returns if you are a one-hander or a two-hander, or if you have a big forehand return. Or a great one-handed slice. But the mentality is the same. Use what you have in the most effective way possible to win points on your opponent's serve and generate breaks.

So how do you develop this mentality? To do this you develop the capacity to hit all the variations of speed and spin. You learn to let the blocking action happen more instinctively as you get better at reading and responding to particular serves.

The other neglected component of an aggressive return mentality is the study of patterns, as discussed above. You experiment with your return positions. You learn what you are capable of against different serves and servers.

You use all this knowledge to devise a return plan. Against some players, simply getting every serve in play, even if you take off the pace, is the most aggressive possible mentality. This is usually true against players to whom you feel superior once the serve is out the equation.

But against players with more weapons, you may have to take more chances, and now the mentality has to change. Your opponent may be able to take control of the points on your lesser returns and hold serve on a regular basis, even if you are making him play a lot of points. To break serve against this type of player, you may have to hit higher risk returns, accept that you will make more errors, and wait to string enough good returns together to break, sometimes in combination with errors at key times from your opponent. It can take many service games sometimes to generate breaks in this fashion, but often one break is enough--or even just a mini-break in a tie-breaker.

Faster, better preparation: the same key for groundstrokes and returns.

For most club players the problems with developing solid ground strokes and good returns are the same. Slow and/or poor preparation, not enough unit turn, too much take back with the arm and racket independent of the motion with the body. This is where you must start to improve. Video yourself if possible and look at the timing of your return motion and your final turn position, especially the position of the racket arm.

In my experience, most club players when faced with a fast serve or a heavy spin serve do exactly the wrong thing. They try to respond by taking a longer backswing. This makes it very difficult to complete the swing and makes the contact late. They don't control the ball, and often the next swing gets even bigger. This is why beginners have such a hard time initially in learning the follow through. They just don't have the level of technique in the preparation they need to do so.

If you struggle with this, work with your local pro to make your preparation more compact both on the ground strokes and on the return. Then focus on your follow through position. See if you can achieve good positions on both fast and spin serves. You'll be own your way to raising your returns by many levels.

The Backhand Returns

Kerry Mitchell