Returning flat hits from long pips

Hi Ardak,

This is a really good and very practical question. Returning those flat, fast hits from long pips can be tricky because the ball often comes with very little topspin or even some backspin, depending on what you sent them. It feels “dead” and tends to drop into the net if you just play your normal topspin lift. Let’s go step by step.

1. Read the Spin Carefully

• If you attacked first, their block/hit with long pips usually sends back reversed spin, so your topspin turns into backspin. That’s why your normal topspin stroke often goes into the net.

2. Starting Position

• Start lower with your racket under the ball so you can lift up against the backspin or “dead” ball.

• Keep your knees bent and stay balanced — you need to adjust quickly since these shots often come faster than you expect.

3. Racket Angle

• Open your racket angle (slightly tilted upward).

• The exact angle depends on how much spin is on the ball:

  • Against strong reversal (backspin), open more.

  • Against flatter, dead balls, open only a little.

4. Contact Point

• Aim for thin brushing contact rather than flat hitting. You want to generate your own topspin because the ball won’t give you much.

• A flatter contact is riskier unless you step in early and counterhit before the spin really bites.

5. Other Tips

• If the ball is too low to lift safely, don’t force it push it back short or long with good placement to reset the rally.

• Placement is your best friend: play deep to their wide backhand or middle, not just back to the pips side.

• Practise timing: the earlier you take it, the less the ball will drop from the dead effect.