Ready to go one step deeper? Learn how to handle flat, kick and slice serves with confidence in the "Returning Serve Types" module of Essential Tennis Academy: essentialtennisacademy.com/
This video is soooo important! Again, in my years of tennis training, no one is breaking it down like Ian, Meg and Kevin. Semi-western grips on the forehand! Split step landing while the opponent makes contact with the ball - TIMING is so important. And thanks for the vocabulary clarification. Who knew inside and outside leg meant backhand/forehand positions. When learning tennis, the coaches didn't explain this and I couldn't get my form right. Thanks guys! Where's the Emmy award for this channel? Seriously! We gotta get you nominated and win for a Webby award at the least!
Haha I thought this video was gonna teach me how to return different types of serve like slice, kick, etc. But I didn’t come for this but I still love it 😅 Thank you 😊
I really wish I could train like 2 months with you guys in person. This is truly the BEST channel for training. And ATP youtube and Martina Navratilova have been inspired and trying to do the same! (For those who consume tennis youtube videos like me + all of Federer's interviews lol).
This video is a testament for any tennis enthusiast that EssentialTennisAcademy.com is great. I have a subscription and I love it! Instead of wasting time searching for the best knowledge, these guys are bringing the best to me. THANK YOU!
Really taken with the shots from behind the doubles return in the ad court. Don't think I've ever seen footage at this angle before, as a RH backhand doubles player it's really interesting to see what great technique looks like from this position. Any chance of set of videos on each doubles starting position?
Very good video on return of serve. One idea that I would include would be playing to the score of the service game. A player should always be aware and adjust the placement and risk level depending on the point score. If you are up on the server then be more aggressive. If it is 30 all or 40-30 then be consistent and hit a high percentage shot. If you are up on a server you can take a more aggressive position inside the baseline on a second serve or hit a return and volley in doubles on add out. That’s how I was coached to play and always included that advice when I coached.
Kevin, the outside inside leg analogy is MAJOR for me. I am ambi-dextrous so a backhand feels like a forehand too. I was thinking of being sneaky and getting away with forehand - forehand on both left and right sides. But that means the outside leg changes then for each side!
Can you please give us some hints on how to read where the serve is going ? us more advanced players 4.0-4.5 and up return so much better if we read the serve before it is hit. this is especially true against pretty good servers like 90-100 mph serves.
Good vid. To return serves, except for the pro, u don't have time to do the complete classic movement. U have to shorten it drastically, 'cause merely u don' t have time. And that is why i cannot return 'cause i make the big move with the racket and very late on the ball. How to improve this short preparation?
Hey, H.S. They're definitely NOT "tennis shoes". They're barefoot shoes made by "Vivo Barefoot". I've been slowly using them on the court more and more. Definitely don't recommend trying them for tennis without a long crossover period.
Any help for right-handers battling strong kick serves to the backhand on the ad side in doubles? -- I faced this in my match yesterday and although we won in a tiebreak, it took me until the second set to adjust. I basically had to read the serve from the toss and then jump into the court to take it on the rise to hit a cross-court return from my backhand. Very hard for me to keep that return low and if I didn't make an excellent return, the net player had an easy poach.
I've watched the vids closely and it sure seems like Nishikori and Murray both land just before the ball crosses the net or a few feet before it lands. Sure, their toes touch the ground sooner than that but that isn't the point they land where they can actually apply force to launch in either direction. The moment their feet land enough to apply force is definitely after the ball is struck and its moving in a general direction. Obviously the best returners read body language too and better than the rest but even those elites appear to land after serve contact. If you land planted at the exact point of contact you have no idea where to push off yet. Having said all that lol the pros play/serve so fast that the split step begins waaaaay early just to get that timing right. Slower club players and servers wouldn't need as much. :)
You're right, rational! The pros are timing their touch onto the court with recognition of where the ball is headed, NOT contact. Most tennis players don't split step at all so our guidance is usually to time with contact, which is much, much easier. Hope that makes sense.
That same foot hop is losing popularity. Is this just for returning or also when your opponent hits a short ball. I think it is wise to not hop off the front foot. It's load instead on a short ball. I do want to try it on the return though.
Notice between 0:25 and 0:30 seconds into the video, Kevin starts with a forehand grip, then switches to what looks like a continental grip just prior to returning a serve to his forehand. I unintentionally do this same exact thing, starting with a forehand grip but unconsciously moving to a continental just prior to swinging the racquet to return a serve even though I intend to stay with the pre-set forehand grip. Frustrating.
My tip is to move my weight quickly between both feet, so I wont be passive and it is easier to move in either direction, but I dont pretend to be an expert
Ready to go one step deeper? Learn how to handle flat, kick and slice serves with confidence in the "Returning Serve Types" module of Essential Tennis Academy: essentialtennisacademy.com/
This is great content, but the soundtrack should be about 10% volume, you should barely hear it.
This video is soooo important! Again, in my years of tennis training, no one is breaking it down like Ian, Meg and Kevin.
Semi-western grips on the forehand! Split step landing while the opponent makes contact with the ball - TIMING is so important.
And thanks for the vocabulary clarification. Who knew inside and outside leg meant backhand/forehand positions. When learning tennis, the coaches didn't explain this and I couldn't get my form right. Thanks guys! Where's the Emmy award for this channel? Seriously! We gotta get you nominated and win for a Webby award at the least!
Im agree with you Sana, this team are awesome!
Hope one day to visit them
Haha I thought this video was gonna teach me how to return different types of serve like slice, kick, etc. But I didn’t come for this but I still love it 😅 Thank you 😊
This is an excellent instructional video- thank you for showing the details.
I really wish I could train like 2 months with you guys in person. This is truly the BEST channel for training. And ATP youtube and Martina Navratilova have been inspired and trying to do the same! (For those who consume tennis youtube videos like me + all of Federer's interviews lol).
You can come work with us any time, Sana 🙂🙏
This video is a testament for any tennis enthusiast that EssentialTennisAcademy.com is great. I have a subscription and I love it! Instead of wasting time searching for the best knowledge, these guys are bringing the best to me. THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for that, Sana. We appreciate your support so much!
That was a great and simple breakdown of the return of serve for the recreational tennis player. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it, Glen!
Essential Tennis - Lessons and Instruction for Passionate Players I think this video honestly benefits all levels of play!
very good advices thankyou
Great video. I should have known this many years before. Return a hard serve is my most weakness because I tried to hit back hard. Thanks so much.
Outstanding tips and advice. #tennisislife💚🎾
Really taken with the shots from behind the doubles return in the ad court. Don't think I've ever seen footage at this angle before, as a RH backhand doubles player it's really interesting to see what great technique looks like from this position. Any chance of set of videos on each doubles starting position?
Thank you good vedio❤
Wow guys, that's an incredible video. So much information. Will be returning to this lots. Really under considered aspect of the game.
Appreciate your videos brother! Thanks again
My pleasure!
can Ian teach us how to do this baseball wind up serve :) 10:04
Hahaha
Very good video on return of serve. One idea that I would include would be playing to the score of the service game. A player should always be aware and adjust the placement and risk level depending on the point score. If you are up on the server then be more aggressive. If it is 30 all or 40-30 then be consistent and hit a high percentage shot. If you are up on a server you can take a more aggressive position inside the baseline on a second serve or hit a return and volley in doubles on add out. That’s how I was coached to play and always included that advice when I coached.
Fantastic video! Thank you once again!
exactly what i was looking for :)
Very good video 👏🏾
Kevin, the outside inside leg analogy is MAJOR for me. I am ambi-dextrous so a backhand feels like a forehand too. I was thinking of being sneaky and getting away with forehand - forehand on both left and right sides. But that means the outside leg changes then for each side!
Glad you had that realization, Sana!
Essential Tennis glory days! Great content. What do you do after returning a slow loopy second serve? Return to baseline or attack at the net?
Thank you for all your videos!
You're very welcome, Simone!
Thanks, very helpful
Great to hear, Obaid!
Thank you sooooooo much because of you I won a tournament 😀😀😀😀
Nice cone shots! 8:34 8:39
🔥🔥
Very good video nice tips
Thank you so much, Nicolas!
Awesome video.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ben!
Can you please give us some hints on how to read where the serve is going ? us more advanced players 4.0-4.5 and up return so much better if we read the serve before it is hit. this is especially true against pretty good servers like 90-100 mph serves.
What size racket does Ian use? 110?
Good vid.
To return serves, except for the pro, u don't have time to do the complete classic movement. U have to shorten it drastically, 'cause merely u don' t have time. And that is why i cannot return 'cause i make the big move with the racket and very late on the ball. How to improve this short preparation?
playing mixed doubles what is the best way to return a very slow soft serve?
Fantastic as always guys 👍👍👍
Nive topics on all compartments of the game of tennis.
Do you intend to train amateurs as well as professional players ?
Glad you enjoyed it, Jimmy. We only train amateur players!
What music did you use for this video? I'm really digging it!
How do I counter lefty slice serves?
Here's a video for you, Dragon! th-cam.com/video/b-HII85xJRs/w-d-xo.html
Lol I did not like this as I am a lefty. :)
Hello Ian, what tennis shoes are you using in the video .... they are barefoot shoes? and which model it is? Thanks for your answer.
Hey, H.S. They're definitely NOT "tennis shoes". They're barefoot shoes made by "Vivo Barefoot". I've been slowly using them on the court more and more. Definitely don't recommend trying them for tennis without a long crossover period.
Any help for right-handers battling strong kick serves to the backhand on the ad side in doubles? -- I faced this in my match yesterday and although we won in a tiebreak, it took me until the second set to adjust. I basically had to read the serve from the toss and then jump into the court to take it on the rise to hit a cross-court return from my backhand. Very hard for me to keep that return low and if I didn't make an excellent return, the net player had an easy poach.
Great vid! You guys gotta get some new racquets - those paintjobs are looking rough! :)
We agree, haha
I've watched the vids closely and it sure seems like Nishikori and Murray both land just before the ball crosses the net or a few feet before it lands. Sure, their toes touch the ground sooner than that but that isn't the point they land where they can actually apply force to launch in either direction. The moment their feet land enough to apply force is definitely after the ball is struck and its moving in a general direction. Obviously the best returners read body language too and better than the rest but even those elites appear to land after serve contact. If you land planted at the exact point of contact you have no idea where to push off yet. Having said all that lol the pros play/serve so fast that the split step begins waaaaay early just to get that timing right. Slower club players and servers wouldn't need as much. :)
You're right, rational! The pros are timing their touch onto the court with recognition of where the ball is headed, NOT contact. Most tennis players don't split step at all so our guidance is usually to time with contact, which is much, much easier. Hope that makes sense.
Please don’t add music, it’s unnecessary
That same foot hop is losing popularity. Is this just for returning or also when your opponent hits a short ball. I think it is wise to not hop off the front foot. It's load instead on a short ball. I do want to try it on the return though.
Lovely contact, but why oh why do you run that 8bit tune so loud
Notice between 0:25 and 0:30 seconds into the video, Kevin starts with a forehand grip, then switches to what looks like a continental grip just prior to returning a serve to his forehand. I unintentionally do this same exact thing, starting with a forehand grip but unconsciously moving to a continental just prior to swinging the racquet to return a serve even though I intend to stay with the pre-set forehand grip. Frustrating.
Was Ian wearing a pair of minimal shoes?
Joseph Ho chinese slippers
Yup! I've been teaching in them for a long time but just recently started doing more hitting in them as well.
Nothing about receiving out wide slice serves? 😢 Looks like I will continue to be aced by the wizard 🧙♂️😆
1:39 Split step is too late. You’re supposed to land at the moment your opponent hits the ball.
Incorrect
The body serve to the backhand during doubles. I normally use a 1HBH but have to use a 2HBH and punch a lob. It's ridiculous.
Way to smash those cones, Megan!
🔥
What kind of weird rackets are you using..? :)
It's top secret!
My tip is to move my weight quickly between both feet, so I wont be passive and it is easier to move in either direction, but I dont pretend to be an expert
no translate ?
god. the music.
Music is killing the video, less volume or change it
Thanks!
You're supposed to be in the air, not land, when your opponent makes contact with the serve
Too many technical terms. Hard to understand what they’re talking about.
Loud annoying background music and i can't find any subtitles?? is really inconsiderate for a lot of people with less than perfect hearing.
Sorry about that, Dan.
Would be better without the music. This is distracting. A lot. Annoying even.
Please turn off the music while you are talking. Too annoying.
Turn the damn music off
Not even Novak can return every serve