One of the building block of
the game and the easiest to master is the service return. Unfortunately, many instructors tend to make it the most complicated
aspect of racquetball. In fact, it is quite simple if you understand
the strategy of "playing by the numbers."
Racquetball is an action-reaction sport. If your mind is
muddled, you'll end up with weak, ineffective returns. Therefore,
your return of serve philosophy should be a simple one: Play
defense, make your opponents earn their points, take high percentage
shots, keep the serve out of the critical center court position, and
set up scoring shot of your own.
Use
Standard Shots for Standard Heights. This means in certain
areas of the court, when the ball is serve into a particular area of
your body, react with a specific shot into a specific area. Nothing
more, nothing less. Just as you serve by the "the numbers," you will
return the serve in the same way.
The best
position for a racquet swing is away from the back wall in the
middle of the court. If you stand too close to the back wall,
you will be vulnerable to drive serves just past the short line. If
you're too close to the server, power Zs and deep drive serves
become a problem.
