The serve-and-volleyer has one plan: make you feel rushed, take the net away, and turn your return into a passing-shot emergency. Don’t help them by swinging harder just because they’re charging. The best counter is to make their first volley awkward, make them cover space, and choose your moment to go over them. That’s not one magic shot—it’s a sequence of smart decisions, starting with where you return.
You don’t need a rocket forehand to beat a player who follows the serve. You need a return that lands low or at their feet, passing shots aimed with purpose, and a lob you use when the situation calls for it. Here’s how to build that plan, whether you’re facing a polished doubles-style attacker or a club player who charges every first serve.
Start by taking time away from the first volley
A serve-and-volleyer wants your return to sit up. A comfortable volley lets them angle the ball away, punch it deep, or finish outright. Your first job is to make contact difficult—not to hit a winner from the baseline.
Watch the server’s first move. Some players sprint straight in; others serve wide and follow the ball toward the open side. Either way, read the serve early, get balanced, and meet the return out in front. A compact swing is usually more dependable than a big, late cut. Think of it as redirecting pace rather than creating all of it yourself.
Use these return targets
- At the server’s feet: A low return near the incoming player forces a half-volley or a difficult low pickup. It’s often the safest pressure shot, especially when the serve lands near the middle.
- Through the middle: A firm, low return down the center takes away sharp volley angles and can create uncertainty if the server and their partner are used to covering different lanes. In singles, it also makes the attacker adjust rather than volley comfortably across the court.
- Behind the server: If the player is charging hard and you can see their momentum carrying them forward, a controlled return behind them can catch them moving the wrong way. This is a useful change-up, not a shot to force on every point.
- Crosscourt, with margin: A wider return can pull the first volley away from the middle, but it also opens an angle for the volleyer. Use it when you’re balanced and can keep the ball low—not when you’re reaching or guessing.
The key is depth and trajectory. A dipping ball that lands near the service line can be more troublesome than a faster return that floats waist-high. Aim for a target, not a highlight. If your return consistently makes the opponent volley up from below the net, you’ve already changed the point.
Vary the look without making the return a gamble
Don’t return every serve to the same spot. A low ball at the feet, a firm ball through the middle, and an occasional return behind the server make the attacker think before they move. That hesitation matters. But variety only helps if you can execute it. Under pressure, choose the return you trust and use the others when the serve gives you time.
Positioning matters, too. If you stand farther back to handle a fast serve, be ready to move forward after making contact; don’t admire the return while your opponent’s volley is already on its way. Against a slower, kickier serve, you may be able to take the ball earlier and cut off the server’s path. Test the position during the match instead of assuming one return spot works for every serve.
Read the first volley before choosing a passing shot
It’s tempting to decide “crosscourt” or “down the line” before the opponent even hits the volley. Resist that urge. Your best passing shot depends on how the volleyer approaches and where their racket meets the ball. If they’re stretched low, you may have time to pass. If they’re balanced and close to the net, a small opening may be all you get.
Keep your feet active and use a split step as the opponent makes contact. That small hop helps you react in either direction. From there, look for their movement and racket position: are they leaning toward one side? Are they reaching for a low ball? Did they punch the first volley deep and give themselves time to close further? Those clues help you choose a shot with a realistic chance of getting past them.
Passing-shot angles: make the court work for you
A crosscourt pass travels over the lower part of the net and gives you more court to work with. It’s often the higher-percentage option when you’re stretched or hitting from behind the baseline. Aim beyond the volleyer, not right at their body, and leave enough margin that a slight miss still lands in.
The down-the-line pass can be devastating because it sends the attacker the long way across the court. But the net is higher near the posts, and the available court is narrower. Choose it when you’re balanced, see the volleyer leaning across, or have a ball that lets you make contact well in front. Trying it from a defensive lunge is often just donating an error.
There’s a useful middle option: hit firmly through the center of the court. It may not look as dramatic as a sideline pass, but it can jam a player who has closed toward one side and reduce the angle available on the next volley. If they get a racket to it, you may still have a playable reply.
Players such as Pete Sampras, Stefan Edberg, and Patrick Rafter built their success around putting opponents under pressure at the net. The lesson isn’t that every volleyer is unbeatable; it’s that a good attacker will punish a pass that arrives at a comfortable height. Make them volley from low, make them move, and then take the opening they leave.
Choose the lob for the moment—not just because they’re at net
The lob is a powerful answer, but it’s not an automatic answer. A short, floating lob can give the attacker time to turn, set up, and smash. Before you lift the ball, ask two quick questions: how close are they to the net, and are they moving forward or already balanced?
If the volleyer has closed in and is leaning toward a low ball, a well-shaped lob can send them scrambling backward. If they’re still near the service line, they have more time and may attack the lob with an overhead. A lob is most useful when the opponent is close enough that turning and retreating is awkward, or when their momentum is carrying them toward the net.
Choose between a defensive lob and an attacking lob
- Defensive lob: Use height and depth to buy time when you’re stretched or off balance. Your priority is to get the ball high enough to clear the racket and deep enough to avoid an easy overhead. Recover toward the middle as soon as you hit it.
- Attacking lob: When you’re balanced and the opponent is tight to the net, aim higher than a pass but lower and more purposeful than a desperate moonball. A topspin lob can dip behind them, but only use it if you can control the lift and depth.
Read the opponent’s overhead ability, too. Some players love smashing; others retreat awkwardly or prefer to hit an overhead from a particular side. If you’ve seen them struggle with a deep lob, use it again—but don’t lob blindly when they’re waiting in position with a clear view of the ball.
Build a simple point pattern
Having a pattern keeps the pressure on without making you predictable. Try this sequence: return low to the feet, split step as the opponent volleys, then pass into the open court if they’re pulled off balance. If they stay central and close in, consider the lob. If your return produces a weak volley, attack that ball rather than forcing a spectacular pass from a poor position.
Here’s a quick guide to choosing your response:
| What you see | Smart first choice | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Server charging straight at you | Low return at the feet or through the middle | Reduces the chance of a comfortable, angled volley |
| Volleyer leaning toward your crosscourt side | Controlled pass behind them or down the line, if balanced | Uses their movement against them |
| Opponent tight to the net and moving forward | Deep lob, if you can lift it safely | Forces a turn and retreat instead of another easy volley |
| You’re stretched wide or off balance | High, defensive reply with useful depth | Buys recovery time and avoids a low-percentage winner attempt |
Common mistakes that make a net rusher look unbeatable
- Going for the sideline every time: The spectacular pass is memorable, but a safe low return or central pass may win more points over a match.
- Hitting too high: A chest-high ball is a gift to a volleyer. When possible, keep the return and pass low.
- Lobbing from panic: A rushed lob that lands short invites an overhead. Choose the lob because the position suits it, not because you can’t decide what else to do.
- Standing still after the return: The point is still live. Split step as the volleyer strikes, then react.
- Ignoring patterns: Notice whether the opponent serves wide and follows the ball, favors one volley, or closes more aggressively behind a particular serve. Adjust your target to what they actually do.
In practice, make the training realistic. Ask a partner to serve and follow the ball, then play out the point rather than stopping after the return. Give yourself goals: land a set number of returns low, use a crosscourt pass when stretched, and lob only when the opponent closes. You’ll learn which choices hold up under pressure, not just which ones look good in a cooperative drill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I aim my return against a serve-and-volleyer?
Start with a low, deep return toward the server’s feet or through the middle. These targets make the first volley harder and limit sharp angles. Add a return behind the server when their forward momentum or positioning makes it available.
Should I always pass crosscourt?
No. Crosscourt usually offers more margin, especially when you’re stretched, but it can leave the volleyer an angle. Go down the line when you’re balanced and see an opening; use the middle when you want to reduce angles or jam the attacker.
When is a lob better than a passing shot?
Consider the lob when the opponent is very close to the net, moving forward, or leaning toward a low shot. If they have time and are well positioned for an overhead, a low pass is often the better choice.
What if my return isn’t powerful?
Power isn’t the only way to disrupt a serve-and-volleyer. A compact, controlled return aimed low can force an awkward first volley. Prioritize contact, direction, and recovery over trying to hit a winner from the baseline.
Final Thoughts
To counter a serve-and-volley player, don’t try to win the whole point with one heroic swing. Make the return low, read the first volley, and pass into space—or lob when their position makes the overhead uncomfortable. Keep your choices tied to what you see, not to a rule that says you must always go crosscourt or always go over their head. That’s how you turn a charging opponent’s favorite pattern into a series of tough decisions.
