From beginners to beyond serve returns. If you watch a beginner closely try to return serve you will see them make two common errors. One-they will move right at the ball. I call this an “arrow” trajectory; a straight line. The second mistake is they open their body so fast and drop the racquet so low, they have nothing left to strike the ball forcefully, they can only push it. On the backhand side they want to use their forehand rather than pursuit the art of movement and grip change on that side.
Fast forward said beginners with no instruction playing as A or better players. Years later this same player compensates for their weaknesses by inventing all sorts of moves. Some “hop” to generate power, some come up with bizarre twisty wristy swings! How can you take advantage of these folks?
I had the luxury of playing the Long Island open for over 20 years. When racquetball boomed all these one wall players came off the streets of the big apple and played indoor racquetball. Bizarre game-styles were the norm!
I learned how to pummel these inefficient stroke mechanics. First, I used an off speed drive serve. If you hit the ball slowly to a poor backhand you will get a weak return or a ceiling ball. Either is not a threat to end your serve inning immediately so that is a huge plus. Youngsters: There is no rule that says you have be old to play smart; you can do that at any age.
I named the soft serve “the dinky-do serve”. If hit right it hangs there like a big pumpkin and seems to be saying “shoot me, shoot me”. I played a was lucky enough to defeat some great shooters with this serve. Try it and find the camera and smile when you win!