Return of Serve Practice for Doubles

As we discussed in our article on breaking serve, breaking serve is critical if you want to win more doubles matches.

Players must be able to control the depth and direction of their returns, especially when receiving second serves.

Following are a progression of drills you can use to develop offensive returns of serve.

NOTE: This drill requires at least one person who has a consistent, accurate second serve and can keep serving through an entire hopper of balls to keep the drills moving. This drill has a variety of formation variations, depending on the serving skills of your team members, including one-one-one serving and returning; one player serves to three players, with players rotating every few minutes; etc.

Step #1 — Players line up to return serve in two, single-file lines, with players waiting behind the receivers at the back fence.

Step #2 — If the coach is serving, or you are using only one server, the server serves a weak second serve to the player in the deuce court, who practices returning crosscourt and deep (past cones or other targets areas you have set up). The server then serves one to the ad court, and the ad court player practices the same shot. Server repeats this sequence to the same two player until each has hit at least two, and preferably three ball before rotating to the opposite line.

Step #3 — After two or three shots are practiced by each of the two returners, they move to the end of the opposite end of the line.

Technique Tip
After each player has gone through the drill once, stop the drill and point out that the returner is looking at the opposite baseline through the net, not over. This visual peculiarity leads to many players aiming directly at the spot on the court where they want to hit the ball, causing many balls to go into the net. Have your players visualize a spot three or more feet above the net, and have them aim high above the net to achieve depth. Even crosscourt lobs and moonballs will be difficult for servers who serve and stay back.

Step #4 — After players have practiced this skill for several minutes or more, increase the realism of the drill by adding pressure. If the player does not get his or first return in the court, crosscourt and deep, they do not get additional balls. With lower-level players, make the goal to at least get the ball crosscourt and past the service line in order to earn a second or third ball.

Step #5 — Have players practice returning short and crosscourt, in front of the service line. Set cones or a rope which diagonally bisects the service box, making returners hit short and wide, almost into the alley. Use the same serving sequence as in steps #1-#3.

Step #5 — Have players alternate returns, hitting the first ball deep and crosscourt, then short and crosscourt, just as they might during a point during a match.

Step #6 — Increase the pressure by repeating Step #4 for this part of the drill.

Immediately after this drill, have players play crosscourt doubles points, with each player limited to a second serve. If they do not get the one serve in, it is considered a double fault. Players may not lob the return during this mini-set. After each player has served once, have the winners move up and split and the losers move down and split.