Chip and charge

The chip and charge is a specialty return of serve where you step into the court when returning the ball. Using a continental grip, you slice, or chip, the ball back to the opposite side of the court, while you simultaneously move towards the net to set yourself up for a volley.

If executed well, the chip and charge can be a great combination to quickly put pressure on your opponent right after they serve and position yourself to take control of the point at the net.

However, if executed poorly, the chip and charge can also set up your opponent for an easy passing shot. We don’t see players now using Chip and Charge tactic. With evolution of tennis racquets the serves now are just too big to be able to do it effectively.

Players who successfully used Chip and Charge tactic are: Jimmy Connors, Tim Henman.

Characteristics:

• Strong slice backhand;
• Putting instant pressure on the server to make them come up with a passing shot;
• Great at taking time away;
• Takes the ball early with very strong racket skills – controlling the racket head on balls that have different speeds and spins;
• Compact swings and good on the rise skills;
• Good timing on the split step and loading on the outside leg, which allows them to have a strong first step towards the net.

Tactical patterns:

• Deuce court taking a kick serve down the T and aggressively returning it down the line or the middle;
• Drive the forehand or backhand to the backhand corner of opponent and attack;
• Deuce: Run around forehand, hit it down the line and attack;
• Ad- Side: Chip down the line and charge;
• Ad- Side: Forehand inside out to backhand and attack.