How to Return a Big Serve

At every USTA level up to 4.5, one player has a serve 10+ mph faster than the other. If you're the slower server, learning to return will keep you in matches you'd otherwise lose 6-1. This is the tactical guide to returning against someone who serves harder than you.

Quick answer

To return a big serve: stand 3–5 feet behind the baseline, hold a continental grip, split-step on your opponent's contact, take a very short backswing, block or punch the ball back deep and up the middle, and reset for the next ball. Do not try to hit a winner off a first serve.

Where to stand

The single biggest club-level returning error is standing on the baseline against a big server. You don't have time — you're rushing the swing, and you're returning short.

First serve return: 3–5 feet behind the baseline. Some pros return from 8+ feet back. The extra time is more valuable than the shorter distance to the net.

Second serve return: on the baseline or 1–2 feet inside it. Most club second serves are attackable, and you want to take them early before they kick.

Deuce court, ad court: shift 1–2 feet toward the side the serve is likely coming to. Watch your opponent's toss — a toss that drifts to their left (right-hander) usually means an out-wide serve.

Grip

Hold the racquet in a continental grip or very slightly biased toward your forehand. On a fast serve you do not have time to change grips.

The continental grip is a compromise — it isn't perfect for either wing, but it lets you punch a return with either side without switching. Once you get to a slower ball, you can adjust.

Split-step

This is the entire foundation of returning. Time a small hop so that your feet land at the exact moment your opponent's racquet makes contact with the ball.

Why: the split-step preloads your legs and lets you move in any direction. If your feet are planted when the ball is served, you cannot react in time.

Drill: stand at the baseline and have a partner serve to you. Do not swing at the return — just split-step and take one step in the correct direction. Rep 50 of these and your reaction speed doubles.

Shorten the swing dramatically

A big first serve does not need power from you. It has all the power already — you just need to redirect it.

The backswing should be no longer than a volley. Racquet back to the shoulder, no further. Punch through the ball with your body weight, not with arm swing.

Most club players take a full ground stroke backswing on the return. On a 100 mph serve, they never finish the backswing before the ball is past them.

Target: deep, up the middle

Do not try to hit a winner. Do not try to hit the sideline. Do not try to hit a low crosscourt angle.

Aim deep and up the middle. Depth prevents your opponent from stepping into a big second shot. Up-the-middle removes any angle they can attack.

Once you've neutralized the first serve, the next ball is where you can start playing. You're returning to rally, not to end the point.

Attack the second serve

The corollary: attack second serves aggressively. A recreational second serve is slow, spinning, and short. If you don't attack it, you're giving up free points.

Move up. Take the second serve inside the baseline. Take it early before it kicks.

Aim to the server's weaker wing. Almost every 3.0–4.0 player has a weaker backhand. Return second serves to that side and force them into a defensive rally ball.

Come to net when possible. A short second serve returned deep and aggressive is the perfect approach shot. Get in.

Reading the serve

Big-serving opponents give away the direction of the serve in three places:

1. The toss. Toss out in front and slightly right (for a right-hander) = flat serve. Toss over their head or slightly behind = kick. Toss well to their right = slice out wide.
2. The stance. Wider stance and lower knees usually mean a kick serve.
3. Patterns. Track your opponent's serves for a game or two. Almost every club player has a favorite serve on big points.

Returning a kick serve

The kick serve bounces high and away. If you let it come up to shoulder height, you're returning defensively.

The fix: move forward and take the ball early, on the rise, before it kicks above your waist. This requires nerve, but it's the only way to keep a kick serve from dominating you.

What NOT to do

• Don't stand on the baseline against a big server
• Don't take a full ground stroke backswing on a first-serve return
• Don't try for winners — return deep, then attack the next ball
• Don't change grips on a fast serve — continental is your default
• Don't stop split-stepping when you're tired — this is when you need it most

Practice pattern

10 minutes of return drills, twice a week. Have a partner serve. Focus:

1. First 25 serves: split-step and short swing, aim deep middle
2. Next 25 serves: read the toss, call the direction before contact
3. Final 25 serves: full return + follow-up rally ball

You'll feel the difference in one week of matches.

If you're on the south side of Indianapolis and want a coach to feed you serves for a full lesson while diagnosing your return technique, that's what a private lesson is for.