Return +1 Drill: Improve Your Return of Serve and First Shot

Key Points

• Gentle Split Step is Crucial:
  A small, controlled split step gives players time and balance to move right or left without getting jammed by fast serves.
• Small Prep Step After Split:
  Teach a small step right (for wide serves) or left (for T serves) immediately after the split to efficiently push into the return.
• Early Racquet Prep & Contact Point:
  Racquet should be back early to use the server’s pace and meet the ball slightly in front of the body.
• Hit Through the Middle vs Big Servers:
  Aim returns through the center to cut angles and neutralize big serves, allowing time to recover and reset.
• Adjust Return Position Based on Serve Speed:
  Step back against powerful servers to react.Step forward against weaker serves to take time away.
• Scouting & Anticipation on Big Points:
  Slightly adjust return position (e.g. step right vs wide-serve tendencies) based on opponent’s habits on pressure points.
• Aggressive Return Strategy:
  Encourage stepping in and applying pressure—can even draw double faults during key points.
• Return + 1 Drill:
  Serve from ¾ court to simulate less reaction time and increase return intensity.Focus is not just return, but return plus first ball (cross-court or down-the-line) to begin the point.Drill improves recovery, footwork, and tactical discipline.
• Used with Pros:
  This drill was a staple for Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, Laslo Djere, and others—builds confidence, precision, and consistency on return games.