How
to play the "off backhand" return in doubles.
By
Jason Roberts
One frequently asked questions as a tennis
coach is how can I improve my “off backhand’ return of serve from the
deuce court (or ad court for the lefties)
This particular return is not only troublesome for players of our standard but also for the more professional of players. I was recently discussing this particular shot in the change rooms as I was deciding the doubles teams for the team that I was responsible for in Germany. “I don’t like playing the forehand side of the court because I’m not comfortable with the off backhand,” was commented from 4 of my 6 players 3 of which had an ATP doubles ranking at the time. “Well who can hit that return,” was my question
If you can’t seem to keep your return away
from the opposing net player or not able to get the backhand return out wide
enough to the in coming volleyer then try these tips.
- 1. When setting yourself for the return lay your left leg a little further back than normal. This will bring your right shoulder a little further forward and in this position you are now more side on to the net than usual. It is imperative for this particular return that you’re right shoulder comes forward, so that you are now more side on to the net favouring the backhand. This will naturally enable you to achieve the angle out to the left of the court as you are hitting the off backhand..
- 2. The natural tendency is for the shoulder to rotate away from the direction you are playing on this particular shot. That is you shoulder will rotate right and you are actually aiming your shot a little more towards left, (off backhand). So that is why you can stand ready for the return of serve more side on favouring, or anticipating a backhand. This will obviously open your stance on the forehand as well, however that will allow you to achieve a good angle out wide if the serve comes to the forehand.
- 3. Take the ball a little later than usual. With this particular return the earlier you take the ball the more chance you have of your return going towards the opponent stationed at the net. The later you take the return the better you can achieve the angle out to the left of the court or the better you can hit an off backhand.
- 4. If you are really struggling to achieve the angle out to the left and your opponent at the net is continuously poaching your backhand return that is floating more middle, then keep him/her honest by going down the line a couple of times. At least this will get them to “hang” more towards the trams than to be intimidating towards the middle.
- 5. If you are losing confidence on the shot avoid at all costs attempting to take the return form further back. This will give the net player even more time to poach those returns and the server will be closer to the net on his or her first volley. Stay up and stay aggressive.
- 6. Other options on this return is the chip lob over the net player. Decent elevation of the ball and length are important here. If you do manage to get the ball over the net player then charge the net so that you and your partner establish yourself both at the net, imposing against the two that are now “one up and one back”.
In concluding
don’t forget the basics of returning serve. Space yourself half a metre
further back, edging in as the server begins his/her backswing. As the server
impacts the ball you should be landing from your split step. Shorten your
swings up so that you strike the ball form a compacted action. And watch the
ball from the moment it leaves the servers hand.
All the best in
improving this shot,
Jason Roberts
Jason Roberts is Centre Manager and Director of Coaching at Tennis Central located at Robinson Park five minutes walk from Perth City. Jason has recently returned from 10 years as an ATP ranked journeyman/coach. TheTennisCoach would like to thank him for his valued contribution. He can be contacted at.
PRO SHOP (08) 9328 6422
COURT HIRE (08) 9328 8128
Email Jason@tenniscentral.com.au