How to Return a Racquetball Serve

The Racquetball Server and Serve Returner

The only time during gameplay when a player gets to place the ball where they prefer to hit it from, is during the serve. The server has complete control of the height and location of the ball when it is served. This is their best opportunity to hit the ball with the speed, accuracy, and location they want. They also control center court at this time. This is the most desirable place to be on the court. And this is why the return shot you select to use is so important.

There are a few factors that you have to quickly ingest when deciding on the return shot. The problem is that the returner has very little time to decide which shot they want to play because the game is so very dynamic. The ball continues to move and is not always predictable as well as your opponent’s changing position.

Another factor is the level of confidence the returner has in the shot they are faced with completing. A player may be good at making pinch shots when the ball comes off the back wall but not as good when the ball is coming directly at them.

This could alter the shot selection from the one that is best to play in that circumstance to another one that the player is more confident in making.

For the sake of discussion, the returner in these scenarios can hit most of their shots with the same consistency although we know that is not always the case. Usually, it is not! We’re always working on one thing or another to make our game better.

How to Return a Racquetball Serve.

How to Return the Lob Serve.

A high lob serve that can be cut off because it is either close to or over the encroachment line provides the returner with a couple of different options. The returner can hit a ceiling ball, a high Z or a wide-angle pass pretty safely. All of these returns will force the server out of center court position and into making their shot from much further back in the court.

These same shots are ideal for the half-lob serve too…. But if the serve is hit longer than the server wanted and the returner gets a ball at the knee-to-hip level just beyond the encroachment line, take your shot… a pinch, a down-the-line pass, a wide angle pass, or a kill shot works. Which one of these shots is best probably depends on the location of the server and the confidence the returner has in making any one or two of these shots. Passing shots are usually the safest but remember, make sure the passing shot does not result in the ball coming off he back wall and giving your opponent an offensive shot.

How to Return the Drive serve.

The drive serve will make the returner decide on which return shot they want to hit much quicker. When a server hits a drive serve, it’s with the intention of scoring an Ace.  The returner will have less time to determine if the ball is going to bounce twice before the back wall, will it bounce off the side wall and directly at the returner,  or will it bounce off the side wall and back wall or straight off the back wall. Also, is it served to the returner’s forehand or backhand side? There is a lot to consider and this is what the returner has to quickly ingest and process when selecting their return shot.

Many of us have our “safe” or  “go-to” return shot we like to play when we’re not sure what to do or when the serve is really good and puts us in an uncomfortable, defensive spot.  Some of these “safe shots” are ceiling balls or something like an “Around the World shot”.

We all know which shots we are most comfortable with hitting like the “ceiling ball” or something like an “Around the World shot” that can be used to move the server out of center court and help put us in a more offensive position.

When the serve is a drive serve, and the returner decides to make an offensive shot. At this point, the returner should try to take advantage of the position of the server. If the server hasn’t moved from the server’s box, then a pass shot that does not come off the back wall is a good choice. When the server remains in the service box this makes them have to react faster to the return shot. the server is too far forward and if the returner can hit one of the easiest shots in the game, why not? The passing shot will force the server to react faster and if they guess wrong or cannot catch up to the passing shot, it will result in a poor or failed return their part.

If the server is anticipating a shot near the back of the court and moves behind the center court area, a shot that stays in the front court is the best choice like a pinch or low kill shot.

If the server is favoring one side of the court or another, this may be a good opportunity to pass the server who is out of position with a wide angle or pass shot to the corner.

If the server takes up good position in center court, the shot the returner can either be aggressive and pop a shot low and in the corner, or hit an unexpected pass shot. The returner can also choose to move the server out of center court and to the rear of the court. Now the returner occupied center court and forced the server to make a decision and play it safe or go for the kill.

What you have to know is that with each serve, there are a number of ways to successfully return it. Your objective should be to make a return shot that does not put you in a more defensive position than you already are. If the server is upfront, don’t hit a ball that stays up and winds up easily on your opponent’s racquet. Make the server move, keep them guessing and lastly, keep the return from coming off the back wall.

A ball you hit that comes off the back wall will Always provide your opponent with one of their best opportunities for a point or a side out. The ball is usually in a good place and gives the player time to set up.