Rekill vs skip! Nothing is worse than hitting that perfect serve, getting a weak return and then putting it into the floor. My favorite saying I stole from the late Dr. Bud Muehleisen, “The floor beats most people!”
Why the UE? (Unforced error)
Top reasons–
1. Poor racquet preparation-Keep the racquet above your waist as much as possible.
2. Twisty wristy–hit out and around, not up and down!
3. Lack of anticipation for the return-Each serve can only get so many types of returns. Example: I hit a drive serve left–I can get 4 basic returns–down the line, cross court, pinch, or ceiling ball. Of those four returns pick the two most common. Usually that would be cross court and pinch. Warning-if you play one of my players that will not work!
4. Poor service technique and footwork–When you hit that serve as hard as you can, your back foot may fly away somewhere! Wherever it goes, it keeps you away from center court and off balance! Off balance athletes tend to put the ball into the floor!
5. Not watching the ball-say what? Yep-when you play the same people all the time in practice you may get into the bad habit of knowing where the return is going. When you are in a tournament playing different players that return may not be going where you think it is!!
Have a plan not only for the serve, but the return!