June 08
Routines and Rituals Before Serving and Returning
Beginners - before you serve do these things:
| 1. |
Check to make sure you have the right grip. |
| 2. |
We like players to bounce the ball every time at least three times. |
| 3. |
Look across the net at your opponent. |
| 4. |
Serve! |
It can be said that matches are won and lost essentially on the initial exchanges: the serve or the return.
Beyond beginners - before you step up to serve:
| 1. |
Decide what serve you are going to hit. |
| 2. |
Where you are going to hit it. |
| 3. |
Where your opponent most likely will return it. |
| 4. |
And where you will most likely hit your first ball after the return. |
Beyond beginners - rituals for return of serve:
| 1. |
Be prepared to react to wherever the ball may go. Keep your feet moving. |
| 2. |
Anticipate what type of serve they will hit. |
| 3. |
Stand in order to bisect the angle of possible serves. |
| 4. |
Make the initial turns for the return by rotating the lead shoulder. |
| 5. |
Hit the return and get back on balance. |
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