The return of serve starts with where you line yourself up and how you line yourself up. I was shocked when I conferred with some “experts” who told me they split the court in half when they positioned themselves for return of serve. This violates laws of physics.
Put your arm and racquet out straight to the forehand side. Now do the same across your body to the backhand side. I know, I know, you turn your body so you do not reach across but it takes longer to get to the ball on the backhand side. So why stand in the middle? Why not factor in that split second?
Another issue is where the server lines up. If they favor one side or the other and you stay in the middle, they will have leverage to that side. Here is another tip. Do not stand at the back wall unless you are playing B level and below. Why? Because good players will work to hit good drive serves just over the short line. You cannot get to those serves from back there. Look at the angles for returns of serve. For example if you move way off the back wall, two steps or more, you are susceptible to return of z serve, It will be downright hard to do. Also you open the alleys for a good angle on soft drive serves.
Compromise and take one step as a general rule. I say general rule because of things like altitude and pace that your opponent hits, will dictate positioning also. Last, get relaxed. Watch a cat pounce on a ball of string. They do not tense all up and leap. They relax and pounce. That is the trick-relax and pounce, do not tense and try to move!