HOW I TEACH THE RETURN OF SERVE To Advanced Players

HOW I TEACH THE RETURN OF SERVE To Advanced Players

By Paul Dale | The 3AM Method

Players spend hours perfecting groundstrokes, but here's the truth: At the top level, the Return of Serve wins more matches than perfect forehands.

When both players hold serve efficiently, the return becomes your only chance to create the crucial break. It's the key that unlocks tight matches.

I Want You to Get Inside Their Head

Consistency beats power every time on return.

Put yourself in the server's shoes: They're landing first serves, feeling confident, but you keep getting balls back and forcing rallies. Now what? Do they change tactics or stick with their plan?

Either way, you've created doubt and influenced their decision-making. Mission accomplished.

When I Tell Players to Take the Ball Early vs. Late

I teach players that returning serve isn't just about reacting to a ball; there is also a tactical timing (early or late) choice you should be making.

Take it Early When:

  • The Opponent serves and volleys, and you want to force them to play their first shot from deeper in the court.
  • You sense they can be rushed into errors.
  • You sense they are physically slow or clumsy.

"Inside Returns": Contact the ball with your feet over the baseline. Start deep, move forward on their toss, and decide what depth is appropriate for each serve.

"Precision beats power, timing beats speed."

Take It Late When:

  • You're the stronger baseline player
  • You prioritise controlling the return over aggression
  • You need more time to "see" big serves

Deep Return Requirements: You must return with depth and create "heavy" balls that can't be easily attacked.

Big Point Strategy: Read Your Opponent

Breakpoint decisions depend on the opponent type: There are often two worlds colliding in the serve and return of serve dual —the player who wants to shorten the point and the player who wants to engage in a longer point.

Against Steady Baseline Players:

  • Take the ball early
  • Can you get to the net when off the second serve 
  • Shorten the point

Against Aggressive Servers:

  • Return consistently and start rallies
  • Let the length of the rally force poor shot selection and mental pressure.
  • You're trying to force them to live in your world (contest long points), not theirs (point is over quickly).

Visual Blocking: Dictate Their Serve

Physical positioning influences their target choice.

If they're killing you with wide serves, stand a little wider. This forces them to serve down the middle, their least preferred target and where you can now anticipate the serve direction more easily.

Visual Blocking = Tactical Control

The 3AM Method for Return Excellence

OBSERVATION: Read the server's patterns, tendencies, and momentum swings. REACTION: Adjust your Return position and target zone based on what's working. RECOVERY: Reset quickly and continuously whenever tactics aren't effective

3 Immediate Actions for Better Returns

This Week's Practice:

  1. Include serve + return in every drill - Practice starting points this way
  2. Practice both inside and deep positioning - Master both options

Match Application:

  • Consistency first - Have someone take stats on your return of serve during your next match.
  • Switch positions - Keep changing where you stand to practice visual blocking
  • Plus one - Try to return so that you set up your next shot; a one-two punch

The Bottom Line

While others perfect their groundstrokes, spend time mastering your return. Nothing will be more valuable during a tight match.

Remember: Time spent on return practice is time spent learning how to win.

Ready to transform your return game? Follow @The3AMMethod for daily tactics that turn defence into your most potent weapon.




Location: Bangkok, Thailand

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