How to Return a Kick Serve Without Shanking It
Quick answer
A kick serve is awkward only when you stand still and let it climb to your shoulder. You have two good answers: move in and take it early on the rise before it jumps, or back up and let it drop into a comfortable strike zone. Either way, shorten your backswing and meet it in front. The worst choice is freezing in no man's land.
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Why the kick serve gives you trouble
A kick serve has heavy topspin, so it bounces high and jumps up and away. If you stand at your normal return spot and wait, the ball climbs into your shoulder or above, the worst possible contact height. The serve is not unreturnable. Your position and timing are the problem.
Option 1: take it early on the rise
Move in and meet the ball just after the bounce, before it kicks up. This takes time away from the server and catches the ball at a comfortable height. It takes nerve and a short, compact swing, but it is the aggressive answer and it works well on a second serve. This is the same compact motion from the return menu.
Option 2: back up and let it drop
If taking it early feels rushed, back up a step or two and let the ball climb and then drop into your normal strike zone around waist height. You give up a little time but get a much more comfortable ball. Pick the option that suits the moment and commit to it.
Understanding the serve you are returning helps too. If you know how a kick serve is built, you read the bounce earlier.
The short version
Do not stand still. Take it early on the rise or back up and let it drop. Shorten the backswing, meet it in front, and commit to your choice.
Frequently asked
How do you return a high kick serve?
Either move in and take it early on the rise before it jumps, or back up and let it drop into a comfortable waist-height strike zone. Shorten your backswing and meet the ball in front. Do not stand still and let it climb to your shoulder.
Why is a kick serve so hard to return?
Its heavy topspin makes it bounce high and jump up and away, into an awkward contact zone if you wait for it. The fix is position and timing: take it early or back up, rather than letting it kick into your shoulder.
Should I take a kick serve early or back up?
Both work. Taking it early is aggressive and removes the server's time, ideal on a second serve. Backing up gives a more comfortable ball at the cost of a little time. Choose one and commit fully.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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