Not sure how active this forum is, but what the heck...


I've recently started playing regularly and my returns aren't too bad at all, I'm working on improving my consistency and getting returns deep.

Problem I'm having at the moment is returning shots that have been hit with heavy topspin. The first thing I do is to notice quickly that topspin has been applied so, after working out approximately where the ball will bounce, I adjust my position to stand further back than normal so that when the topspin takes effect I'm in the correct place to return it. Problem being with deep shots I can be standing quite a way back which obviously puts me at a disadvantage.

I was talking to a friend and he said that coaches recommend you step in and try and take these kind of returns early if you can. Problem with me is I'm still learning timing/consistency so it seems a risky kind of shot to try.

Any advice on how I can improve this shot?


Cheers B)

I play at club level and provincial level which is one step below country level and my advice to you is to take the ball as early as you can before it bounces to high.However you need to be able to direct the ball quite offensively because when you step in off a return you are also exposing the other half of the court. But as you also say you are learning your timing so its quite far off before you get to master that early return.Ask Sam on here,he is a coach and should be able to advise you best!

Sound advice from Dark. Only thing to add would be to persevere with it. Timing the ball on the rise comes with time, but it will add new dimensions to your game. Coaches used to teach waiting for the ball to drop and hitting around waist height, but you'll develop much quicker if you can teach yourself to stand your ground and time the ball.
Unless you play on clay, but with a name like Yorkshire.....
You might get worse (more inconsistent) before you get better, but stick at it and try to keep your head still through the shot and you'll improve at pace! :)
ps what grip are you using? If you've only just started playing regularly, you'll probably have an eastern forehand grip, so low balls will feel easier to hit. If you're going to step in and hit the higher balls, you might want to practice getting your grip around to a semi-western and it'll give you more range to hit higher balls.