Returning a kick serve as a pro

Top players use their own serve to directly win the points or to build tactical advantage during the point. They have enough skills to be dangerous both using first and second serve. It is obvious that they use a lot of power with the first serve and more spin with the second serve. However, for many players dealing with good kick serve is a challenge that they really struggle with. That is why to answer effectively this type of serve you have to practice some technical and tactical adaptations.

Male players have definitely better kick serve execution than female players. We can see that even at the intermediate level between 2 male competitors they are able to hit the serve that creates a lot of problems for the returner. On the other hand, advanced female tennis players don’t rely on the kick serve as a second delivery and we can count only a few exceptions of players who are dangerous while using the second serve.

Kick serve is definitely a weapon that can be used both as a first and second serve. Tactically it is used to put a difficult ball into the opponent’s weaker side (for many it is a backhand) or to open the court from the ad side to hit the winner with the next shot into the other corner. Technically kick serve is really dangerous for the opponent because it bounces really high and to the side which is especially difficult to deal with for players using 2-handed backhands. However, if you want to successfully compete on higher levels you have to prepare your game for this type of serve. There is no doubt that advanced opponents will use this weapon really often during every service game so to convert break points you will have to face the ball that bounces differently every time.

There are a few factors that you should consider while returning kick serve. If you will apply them into your practice sessions you are able to build a solid return that will deal even with the best kick serve during the competition. Here are the areas that you need to take a look at while training returns:

Do you have an offensive mindset?

It all starts with your mindset. If you will think defensively from the beginning you immediately decrease your chance for a successful return. Kick serve is a challenge but it is also an opportunity to put pressure on the server and see how he can react to a good return. Think about your response as your first step to break the opponent’s serve.

Are you inside the court?

The main goal of kick serve is to open the court by putting the returner way outside the sideline. To prevent this you should take a few steps forward and play return inside the baseline. By being closer to the ball you immediately cut the angle which doesn’t allow the ball to fly too far away from your racket. Additionally, this position will also motivate you to be more offensive with your approach.

Where is your point of contact?

The height that you hit the ball at has a crucial impact on the quality of your return. If you let the ball bounce over your shoulders you will have big problems to hit good return and stay in at least a neutral position for the next shot. To effectively hit offensive return off kick serve you have to hit the ball between your waist and shoulders. This zone gives you the biggest control over the ball so consider that while taking a position to return.

Which stance do you use?

The ball that bounces high and to the side can put you in an unbalanced position. To avoid this situation try to use an open or semi-open stance. By placing weight on the left leg and using that leg to generate the power you achieve a comfortable position for your body to control kick serve that is played to your backhand. On the other hand, if you will try to respond to kick serve with a regular close stance you will immediately lock the hips which will result in many late points of contact.

Kick serve is one of the skills that all players should try to possess. This type of serve offers many benefits and can make it easier to win their own service games. However, opponents also try to use this serve to get an advantage so players should train how to respond to kick serve too. Apply knowledge from this article to never be scared again of the opponent who tosses the ball to the left side and moves the racket from the left to the right to apply dangerous spin.

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