Podcast #197: Return of Serve X-Factor
November 22, 2011
Exactly what sets players like Agassi, Djokovic and Murray apart as great returners? Is it possible to learn those same skills as recreational level players? In today’s episode of the Podcast I’ll share with you the techniques needed to be successful with the return of serve, as well as the “art” and the “x-factor” required to be a master at it.
Ian I am THANKFUL for ESSENTIAL TENNIS!
Its so much healthier to listen to you, then the vulgar stuff on TV.
So, I feel like its better for me both tennis wise and just in terms of clean living to find someone who
1) cares 2) explains complex things very well and in detail 3) is kind of like a great friend you havent met in person yet, because its so much easier to see tennis through the prism of one person’s views who has given us 100 plus hours of his best ideas, as opposed to the impossible task of piecing together bits and pieces from various sources, some of which contradicts.
Basically, this show is like being able to MIND read what your LOCAL PRO should tell you, BUT WONT because they either DONT KNOW or WANT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING IAN TELLS US FOR FREE.
Ian, definitely hope you charge for this site, your giving away too much for free
but i am THANKFUL THAT I CAN save your shows, listen to them in the backround while doing other things.
–Hope you and your family had a great Gobble Gobble day. Cheers
Hilina’i, first of all I think you couldn’t be more right about the atmosphere on this site. It’s a great website not only in terms of instruction but in terms of tone. I think Ian is the guy who sets the tone for it and he should be commended.
I wouldn’t get so down on yourself, dude. Don’t think of yourself as a slow learner just b/c you can’t pick up the tips right away. I think for almost all of us it takes a while to process what’s being said and put it into practice. I try to remember that when I hear or read something of value on this website that I have to undo the bad habit while trying to incorporate the good habit, so that takes time. So, don’t feel like you’re not getting it just b/c it takes a while.
Thanks Redbird, picking up something slowly is okay by me. There are many who don’t even try to learn, they do the same things year after year. I’m also willing to get worse while i fix something–it’s hard, but if some magic words (like in a podcast) don’t result in immediate success, I won’t just abandon it if the magic words arent instant magic.
In the case of return of serve, i’m now trying to take the serve earlier. So, i’m mixing it into the mix, sometimes going for better returns with more control and sometimes taking the ball early even if it’s a lame return.
Ian,
Happy Thanksgiving.
You have these podcasts, videos, and your forums, plus you come up with stuff like your serve course or volley course, and all of them have places for questions and comments. Everyone has their own situation, at their specific level, with their specifc experiences, so many questions or comments are vastly different, there are also many that are all the same–and through it all, you just seem very patient and responsive to everyone. I’m guessing within each area (podcast, video, courses, forums, etc) and especially across the disciplines, you get many of the same questions, and you are always, kind, informative, and very respectful. So, thank you for doing all you do and the way you do everything. Essential Tennis has such a friendly tone which I think has much to do with how you treat people and the example you set. There are many websites (in whatever area of interest out there) that open up comments and exchanges to the general public and most will have a fair chunk of not-so-nice, obnoxious, insulting, bully-like, rude, nasty or otherwise negative comments. But you run a class act. Okay, sappy thank you back at you done.
Oh, the podcast…how do you suggest improving technical skills of the return of serve? By the way, I’m a real slow learner. I hear about people who take your tips and improve, and I’m the guy who takes a while to figure out what is meant, and then I will try, and then I might get worse, and then i might start to see a glimmer of improvement, and that may even be short lived, and maybe i eventually get a little better at the one thing. So, tips/a plan for the fast learner is fine, but don’t forget us slow learners.
Thanks again.
Hilina’i,
Welcome to the community. This is a special group over the internet, and if you find it at all possible, I would encourage you to try to make it to one of Ian’s clinics that he has occasionally. It is that same feeling of warmth from people who come together to better themselves, with 7 other people that have the same goal.
As to how to take and audio podcast and incorporate it more quickly…..
I think this may be done best with combining the podcast with video and live observation. With the time available in the podcast, you can take some time assimilating what is being said, and why it is important. It is also great that you can listen multiple times to make sure you understand the point being made. Next step would be to either watch some videos (like returns this week) which may be something like Ian’s, or FuzzyYellowBalls. Another thing you can do is watch some better players, and observe them successfully accomplishing what was talked about in the podcast. There are quite a few A-ha moments there. Next step is to visualize yourself doing the same thing as that mental picture of the technique being done. Last step is to maybe video yourself to ensure you are doing things the way you *think* you are doing it.
In my opinion, it is not productive to try to mimic the professional player’s strokes. However, there are certain things that you can gain when you are watching with a purpose. I cannot wait to see my next match, and see which player is better at applying the right amount of aggressiveness to the serve return.
Always stay positive. Every day on the court is a blessing. Give yourself positive direction – tell yourself what you need to do, not what you have to stop doing. Savory your great days. Replay the great strokes that you made in your mind, and they will become more frequent on court.
Mark in Sandy Eggo
Mark in Sandy Eggo, Thanks for the encouragement. I like your tip about telling oneself what to do, not what not to do. When I practice, that’s largely what i do. When I’m in a match, there’s very little–i hardly make any technique corrections (maybe I’ll shadow the correct stroke right after the wrong stroke), I dunno, hard to explain, I more or less play with what’ve got. When a match is over, I’ll reply what all happened and pick one or two glaring things to work on. So, I go over what not to do after a match and determine what needs work now, i go over what to do when practicing, and i just use what i’ve got (the progress made from practice) during a match.
A clinic sounds interesting. Sounds like a bunch of lessons at once–I haven’t taken a lesson, so don’t even know what that’s like.
I do like FYB as well as ET. There’s so much to think about with so many great resources, one can easily over think and be in constant state of change/confusion. I’ll pick on a couple things for a couple weeks and leave everything else alone.
I am definitely going to try a few of your tips next time I play. I consider myself to have a good return game, but hope to use some of these strats soon.