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You are the server's partner. Which returns are yours?
The server's partner owns the middle and the floaters. Move to them as the return is struck.
You are at the net as your partner serves. Which return should you be moving to take before it is even hit?
The server's partner owns the middle and the floaters. Move to them as the return is struck.
Why
The server is still moving forward when the return is hit and cannot volley well from mid-run. The server's partner, already at the net, is in the better position for two kinds of return: anything through the middle, which is closer to them than to the server, and anything weak and floating, which they can reach earlier and hit down. Taking those balls early, moving as the returner makes contact, turns the serve into an attack rather than a scramble. The cross-court return to the server is left to the server, unless it is a floater, in which case it belongs to whoever gets there first and calls it.
What this means at your level
Beginner
At the net when your partner serves, be ready for the ball down the middle. It is yours.
Intermediate
Watch the returner's racket face. A closed face through the middle is coming to you; move early and volley to the feet.
Advanced
The middle-ball poach also lets the server serve wider, because they know the middle is covered. Tell them so.
Common questions
You are at the net as your partner serves. Which return should you be moving to take before it is even hit?
The middle ball and anything that floats. The server's partner owns the middle and the floaters. Move to them as the return is struck. The server is still moving forward when the return is hit and cannot volley well from mid-run. The server's partner, already at the net, is in the better position for two kinds of return: anything through the middle, which is closer to them than to the server, and anything weak and floating, which they can reach earlier and hit down. Taking those balls early, moving as the returner makes contact, turns the serve into an attack rather than a scramble. The cross-court return to the server is left to the server, unless it is a floater, in which case it belongs to whoever gets there first and calls it.
Why not only balls hit straight at you?
Waiting for the ball to come to you is passive. The middle ball and the floater are yours to take.
What should a beginner do here?
At the net when your partner serves, be ready for the ball down the middle. It is yours.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The middle-ball poach also lets the server serve wider, because they know the middle is covered. Tell them so.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
beginnerThe ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
intermediateWhat do you do with the return of serve?
The return lob is how the receiving pair steals the net. Aim over the player who is still moving.