Question: How often should I return down the line?
Answer: Most returns should be aimed cross-court, but you want to avoid predictability, so a few down-the-line returns play an important role. Against an aggressive poacher, return down the line whenever you see him heading cross-court and even a few times when you don't. If the server's partner is camped out in the alley, he might be a weak volleyer, and you'll want to test him by hitting some aggressive returns in his direction.
