Returning hard shots?

Question

When I'm playing a set against a few of my friends, some of them tend to hit very hard and its very hard to return it back. I'm at an ok level of skill right now but I'm wondering if it has to do with me being too weak on returns, or something else.

Answer 1

No you are not too weak on returns. It could be your racquet or your string tension. Opt for a heavier racquet to increase the mass variable of the force = mass x acceleration equation. And also opt for a looser string tension to increase the time variable of impulse = force x time. That combination will make it incredibly easy for you to generate momentum. It could however also be about your timing. It doesn't matter how fast your opponent hits their shots. Your racquet strings will be able to transfer the momentum. It does matter on the timing of your shots. Try taking a shorter back swing, work on your footwork and recovery positions after each rally, try stepping into the ball, work on what part of the racquet the ball makes contact with and work on the angle your racquet face is on contact with the ball. Feel free to ask a tip or lesson at my website.

GoodLuck!

Coach Ninja

Coach Ninja's Tennis Guide

The Essential Tennis Guide

Welcome to Coach Ninja's FREE essential guide to playing exceptional tennis.

Answer 2

Position the racket in the right way and you can use the speed of the ball to send it back over the net.  To be more attacking and start winning points with clean shots a few trips to the gym wont hurt.

Answer 3

Hmm....interesting suggestions to your questions from this forum......

You say that you are an "OK" player.......which leads me to believe you are an advanced beginner or intermediate player.  The easiest answer to your question is to take a lesson from a USPTA certified professional and tell them that you want to work on handling pace from opponents!  I bet the pro will problably diagnose issues with your technique, movement, reaction time and anticipation and your 1 hour lesson will turn into a series of lessons.

However.......

Your asking about retunring fast paced balls which means they are coming very FAST realtive to your perspective!  That means you have very little time to react so here is what I would work on with an ATP/WTA, internationally or nationally ranked player.

SHORTEN YOUR BACKSWING - 9 out of 10, players attempt to match pace WITH pace!  Someone rockets a ball at you and you take a HUGE backswing, only to allow the point of contact with the racquet and ball to be behind and you are late causing numerous errors!  By shortening the backswing and keeping the point of contact more in front of you....you can use the opponent's pace against them!  Your not adding pace your directing the opponent's pace!

LOOK TO OPEN YOUR STANCE - Unlike other posts....saying "step in" and "turn sideways", by opening the stance it allows increased reaction time and actually moves your racquet arm/shoulder closer to the ball and not further back when you step in or turn sideways.  By opening the stance your point of contact actually moves farther back then when you step in or turn sideways!  when your point of contact moves farther back...it gives you more time.  Think about it, when you step in where is your point of contact......out in front of the foot stepping in.  If your stance is more open......where is your point of contact.......farther back realtive to the point of contact when you step in.  You have just gained approximately 3 feet to be "late"  if you where stepping in but "on time" if your stance is open.  Take a look at the pros and see how many step into a fast past ball.

USE A CONTINENTAL GRIP - by using a continental grip, you can play better defensive.  The grip opens up the racquet face and allows shorter back swings.  When used properly (practice, practice, parctice) it can aid in using opponent's pace against them.  The next time you see a top level player block back a rocketing overhead hit right at them......99% of the time they are using a continental grip!

I hope this helps!  Good luck and keep swinging!

Answer 4

wow.  um ok.  Just a little shocked by some of the answers.

With all do respect, you string tension really isnt going to fix this problem.

The first person talked a little bit about hitting the ball in the right position which is pretty much right.  But here is the actual solution.

I coach a lot of players and have seen lots of problems in my day.   Players will reach a certain level of play and realize that other people are starting to hit harder and with more spin.  Your problem is the same problem as many other players in your situation have.  

1)  You can not swing harder at their incoming ball.  You must return the ball the way YOU like to return it.  Increasing racquet speed will only cause trouble right now.

2)  The solution to your problem is to get the racquet back quicker.  I know you may think this is simple. But its nothing but the truth and only solution.  You need to have your racquet back much quicker than you currently do.  

Watch the pros: Racquet is back first, then they run to the ball.  

Get in the habit of turning your body, getting your racquet back, then running to get the ball.  If your racquet is back in time you wont have this problem.  I PROMISE!  

the second you know where that ball is headed (moments after it comes of the string of your opponent) you should have your racquet in the backhand or forehand position.  

GOOD LUCK!

Steve Viglione

USPTA Pro

Owner- http://topspinsports.com  

Answer 5

Usually the problem is not with weakness but with timing. Them hitting it harder means that the ball gets to you quicker and you have less time to react. Bad positioning of the racket= bad shot.

All you have to do is be ready on your feet and be ready for the hard hit shot.The moment you see it coming, start swinging your racket. NOT when you normally would. This way, you end up hitting the ball at the correct angle and height. The pace from their shot should give you even more of a bite to your shot.

To get this right, simply practise with a friend. Get the friend to start hitting the ball hard at you and practise the earlier swing. It will take a little time, but its worth it.

Hope this helps.