Hi everyone!

Here’s a solo drill designed to work specifically on the return of serve using a ball machine. You’ll train to react quickly to varied trajectories and improve your consistency against topspin balls simulating a serve.

The goal of this exercise is to strengthen the quality of your return by adapting your footwork and swing to fast, topspinning balls, while aiming for depth and precise placement.

How to run the drill:

Place the ball machine on the server’s side, slightly offset to the right to imitate a server’s position. Program it to send fast balls at about 70–80% of maximum speed, with 5 seconds between feeds and with topspin. Alternate trajectories between the wide zone and into the body.

Stand in the return position behind the baseline. On each ball, step your left foot forward at impact (if you’re right-handed) and send a deep cross-court return with your forehand.

After each set of 8–10 returns, take 30 seconds of active recovery.

Complete 5 sets in total.

(Image created with the ETDM software – Download it here)

This drill develops your ability to adapt to serve effects, improves return precision and depth, and strengthens consistency under pressure.