Serve Return Chip and Charge

Against aggressive servers, the standard response is to drive hard or block safely. However, advanced returners use a chip-and-charge tactic: taking a soft, shortened return with heavy backspin or slice and immediately advancing to the net. This approach has multiple benefits. First, it neutralizes the server's pace advantage by reducing ball speed. Second, it forces the server into hitting a pass or lob from an unfavorable position—often closer to their baseline than expected. Third, it puts you at the net where you have the highest probability of winning the point. The chip itself is a short, firm stroke that typically lands just over the net or in the service box, with backspin that causes the server's followup to dip or not bounce as high. This tactic is advanced because it requires confidence—you're moving forward into a potentially vulnerable position—and timing to execute the chip cleanly. It's most effective against servers who lack a strong net game or who struggle with short returns.