I started racquetball in september as a college gym course, and it is so much fun. Now I am playing people with some experience, and I am having a lot of trouble returning a particular serve.

When the server stands in the center or right side of the court and does a low or mid height drive serve that bounces to the front wall, and off the left wall four or five feet before the back wall, then hitting the ground and continuing to the left of the door.

It isn't a problem of getting in there - even in cutthroat when I am stationed on that side, I am in as good a position as I know how to be, and the ball comes straight at me and I swing and miss. I don't have poor hand-eye coordination - I think I play just fine, and am able to consistently hit kill shots etc.

I think it may have something to do with the angle it comes off the side wall. Since it doesn't come straight at me, I have to hit it at just the right time. I'd appreciate if anyone could tell me some tricks they use if they've ever experience this problem.

paintanker

It isn't a problem of getting in there - even in cutthroat when I am stationed on that side, I am in as good a position as I know how to be, and the ball comes straight at me and I swing and miss. I don't have poor hand-eye coordination - I think I play just fine, and am able to consistently hit kill shots etc.

This serve is called a "jam serve" and is intended to come in on you as a difficult shot. A ceiling return should be pretty easy as the swing is simpler to time.

Ideally you'd like to develop a more offensive return. So practice (ask friends to hit these to you). Secondly, make sure you've got enough space -- that you're starting close to the court middle (in doubles/cutthroat some players try to receive in the middle of their half of the court, which is too close to the side wall) and that you dot overrun the ball. To not overrun it, you'll have to be pretty focused during serve return. In singles, I usually shade slightly to the right so that I get a better view of the ball coming off the racquet, and this helps me anticipate the trajectory later, too.

Matt

Here's a variety of Jam serves in doubles ... and returns.

Is that a young Mitch Williams and young Jack Huczek in the Pro Kennex gear? Man I really miss watching Mitch play. Grip it and rip it!