How to Return a Kick Second Serve

Key Points

• Step in and take it early when returning a kick serve, or move back and wait for it to drop
• When taking the ball on the rise, step forward and load with the left leg and then propel the right foot forward
• Try not to step across your body with the right foot, as you’ll be too slow to recover to the next shot
• Hit the ball higher and deeper when returning from further behind the baseline
• If you generally hit flatter shots, you should look to step in and take the return early before it gets too high
• If you’re the type of player that hits more spin, you can move further back and hit higher and deeper
• Most female players in the modern game like to take the ball early, so it’s usually better to step in on the return so you’re not on the back foot when the point starts