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What is the Chip-and-Charge

The chip-and-charge refers to the tactic where the returner hitting a block bunt with underspin or a knifing slice when receiving serve and following it in with speed to dominate the net.

Coach Ray Evan hop steps well into the court as he prepares to chip-and-charge. — Coach Ray Evan hop steps **well into the court** as he prepares to chip-and-charge.

What are the advantages of the chip-and-charge

The advantages of the chip and charge are several:

Coach Ray Evan Paler prepares for the ball very early as he looks to chip-and-charge

It forces the server to think about their serve, knowing that his opponent is coming to the net on the return. This results in a lot of missed weak serves or even double faults.
It elicits a lot of cheap points from the pressure of an approaching opponent off missed third shots.
Only the very best third shots will trouble the chip-and-charger and many other third shots that are less than good will be punished with a first volley putaway, deep set to the open court, or back behind to set up the finishing volley.
It puts a lot of continuous and constant pressure on the server repeatedly, time and time again, leading to mental fatigue, frustration, and loss of concentration.
It constantly makes the opponent feel very rushed by taking time away from them
It keeps jerking the less movile players around as you vary the approach to the open court or behind them or short, and volleying into the open court or behind them.
Over the course of a match, a player constantly faced with this might trigger muscular injuries or cramps if they are not well conditioned.

Why Chip the Return instead and not Strike the Return as usual

Look at how far into the court Coach Ray Evan Paler is as he plays the chip-and-charge

Many players will ask why to chip the ball and not hit the cover off the ball?

It gives you more margin for error by simply redirecting the shot to your target with good amount of underspin.
It gives you more time to close into the net for a better volleying position.
The chip or slice return will cause the ball will stay low, forcing the opponent to hit up, which results in an easier volley most of the time.

What tennis skills are needed to use this chip-and-charge tactic

The finish on the follow-through show clearly just how much underspin Coach Ray Evan Paler has imparted to the slice return.

You need to have a knifing backhand slice
Have the ability to take the return early with good hand and racquet skills
Have a short compact swing
Have the abilty to time the ball well
Have the abilty to take the ball on the rise
Have dynamic balance to split, load, transfer and press on the return of serve when the serve can be quite fast or with wicked spin

Which targets to return slice or chip to?

Coach Ray Evan Paler races towards the net, split-stepping just before his opponent makes contact with the ball and ready to go either way when he lands.

As there are advantages both down the line or cross court, the primary target most of the time should be to the oppoent’s obvious weakness. You can vary it deep or angled short (if crosscourt) or narrow middle by on the weaker wing.
Can also choose to target the better shot, if on that wing, your opponent has a significantly longer backswing.
Keep changing targets to keep your opponent off balanced.
Deuce court forehand return – down the line and follow it in.
Deuce court backhand return – into the ad court and follow it in.
Ad court backhand return – down the line and follow it in.
Ad court forehand return, down inside out to narrow or wide backhand and follow it in.

How to cover the court following the chip

Coach Ray Paler perfectly ositioned to cover the next shot with his first volley. Note his ideal position just behind the service line and fully loaded to pounce on the first volley.

To start with, whichever way you return, follow the line of the ball to the net towards the net to bisect the geometrical return possibilities while giving up the extreme.
After a while, a player will have preferred tendencies, you can start leaning towards those targets.
You may also notice that your opponent may not have the ability to change the direction of the ball effectively off your chip-and-charge e.g. to go up the line off a low crosscourt slice return, and you can be tight on his preferred, or limited response.

Really useful tips on applying the Chip-and-Charge Tactic

Do not be afraid to hit a short chip when coming in. It is difficult for many two-handed backhand players to move forward and get under a short, low chip with the added pressure of having to hit a passing shot.
Stand close or even inside the baseline on the return and take the ball early. Let your opponent sense you will be attacking them.
Keep the backswing very compact than on a normal slice
Be quick and get as close to the net much as possible before split stepping just before your opponent hits the ball so that you will hand and move in either direction as he hits makes contact with the ball.
Apply as heavy backspin as you can to skid the ball and keep it low so your opponent has to hit up.
Keep the approach very deep. This is key. An approach that is too short opens up a lot of passing angles.
Have a forgetful mindset. It will not work everytime and you will get passed sometimes. What is important is to win more than you lse, and on pivotal points like 30-30.
Do it in a pressure situations for the server when the opponent is down and really needs the point. It is more difficult for then in such instances.
Do not try to win the point with the first volley if you are not on top of the net. If the opponent’s shot comes back low and you are not inside of the service line, get your first volley deep and continue to close and look to put away the next ball instead.
Do it on a first serve once in a while. When the opponent knows you can do it on the first serve, it exponentially increases the pressure on them on the second serve.

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Psy-Ops: The Relentless Pressure of the Chip-and-Charge Player – Coach Ray Evan Paler’s 10 Best Tips on how to Crack your opponent with the Chip-and-Charge Tactic.

What is the Chip-and-Charge

What are the advantages of the chip-and-charge

Why Chip the Return instead and not Strike the Return as usual

What tennis skills are needed to use this chip-and-charge tactic

Which targets to return slice or chip to?

How to cover the court following the chip

Really useful tips on applying the Chip-and-Charge Tactic

Like this:

What is the Chip-and-Charge

What are the advantages of the chip-and-charge

Why Chip the Return instead and not Strike the Return as usual

What tennis skills are needed to use this chip-and-charge tactic

Which targets to return slice or chip to?

How to cover the court following the chip

Really useful tips on applying the Chip-and-Charge Tactic

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