Return of serve: counterattacking the Australian formation
Key takeaway from our Guru
How to counterattack when opponents play the Australian formation?
Hit your return straight down the line and keep moving forward into the court. This forces the server to dodge you, which opens up the court for your next shot.
What this lesson covers
When opponents use the Australian formation, the returner targets the straight line to force a reaction. By hitting the return deep and moving forward immediately, the player puts the server under pressure. The server often tries to avoid the incoming player, which opens up a wider angle for the next shot. Cutting this angle allows the returner to move through the center and win the point directly.
On the backhand side, the player hits the ball in front of the body while moving forward. On the forehand side, the player must step in with the right foot or cross over to ensure the paddle face remains square at contact. This tactic works best against weak serves to build a 0-30 or 15-40 lead, effectively putting the serving team in check.
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Original video
Added on Sep 19, 2026
Good for
Skill level
Court position
Both sides
Play style
Counter-attacking
Secondary shot
Backhand
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