How to improve your return of serve in Pickleball


How to Return a Pickleball Serve Effectively: Strategies to Win Points

Returning a serve in pickleball is one of the most important skills to master if you want to win more points and elevate your game. An effective return can immediately put pressure on your opponent, allowing you to take control of the rally. In this article, we’ll dive into strategies, techniques, and tips to return serves effectively and maximize your chances of winning points.

Understanding the Basics of the Return

Before diving into advanced strategies, let’s start with the basics. The primary objective of returning a serve is to get the ball back over the net and into play. But a well-placed return can do much more—it can shift momentum in your favor by forcing your opponent into a defensive position.

Key Goals for the Return of Serve:

  1. Get the ball deep: A deep return pushes your opponent back and gives you more time to approach the net.
  2. Avoid hitting too high: A return that is too high over the net makes it easier for your opponent to attack.
  3. Aim for placement: Target specific areas of the court to put your opponent on the defensive.

1. Positioning and Stance

Good positioning and stance are critical for successfully returning a serve. Being ready for the serve is half the battle.

Ready Position

  • Feet: Stand just behind the baseline, about shoulder-width apart. Your weight should be balanced on the balls of your feet for quick movements.
  • Knees: Slightly bent to help you move quickly in any direction.
  • Paddle: Hold your paddle in a neutral position with the face angled slightly forward. Your paddle should be ready to react to both forehand and backhand returns.

Adjusting for Different Serves

  • Powerful Serves: Stand a bit farther behind the baseline to give yourself more reaction time.
  • Soft or Spin Serves: Move closer to the baseline and be ready to step in quickly.

Tip: Avoid standing too close to the baseline, as you may have to backpedal quickly if the serve is fast or deep.

But, also don't back up too much as a crafty server could exploit that by hitting a slice serve out wide pulling you wider off the court and opening up the court in their advantage!

2. Focus on Depth and Placement

The depth and placement of your return are two of the most critical factors in making a good return. A deep return can push your opponent to the baseline, giving you time to approach the net, while a well-placed shot can make it difficult for your opponent to mount an aggressive return.

a. Deep Return to Baseline

  • Aim to hit the ball near your opponent's baseline. A deep return makes it harder for them to attack and forces them to play from a more defensive position.

Why It Works: The further back your opponent is, the longer it takes for them to advance to the net. This gives you an advantage to control the next shot.

b. Target the Opponent’s Weak Side

  • If you know your opponent has a weaker forehand or backhand, return serves to that side. For example, if they struggle with backhand shots, aim your return to that side of the court.

Why It Works: Exploiting weaknesses increases the chances of forcing an error or a weak return that you can capitalize on.

c. Use Angles

  • Returning to the sidelines can pull your opponent out of position, opening up the court for your next shot.
  • Work on returning serves down the line and coming in after the return to the net

Why It Works: By making your opponent move laterally, you disrupt their rhythm and create opportunities for you to win the point.

Tip: Avoid hitting the ball too close to the sideline when aiming for angles to reduce the risk of an unforced error.

3. Managing Spin Serves

Some players use spin serves to make the ball bounce unpredictably, which can make returning the serve more challenging. There are two common types of spin serves to look out for:

a. Topspin Serve

  • A topspin serve makes the ball drop faster after clearing the net, often bouncing higher than expected. To counter a topspin serve, position yourself a bit further back and be prepared to move forward if needed. Use a slightly open paddle face to control the high bounce.

b. Slice Serve (Backspin)

  • A slice serve causes the ball to skid low after bouncing. For a slice serve, step into the shot early to catch the ball before it dips too low. Keep your paddle face closed (angled down) to avoid hitting the ball into the net.

Tip: Watch your opponent’s paddle during their serve. A downward stroke usually indicates backspin, while an upward stroke suggests topspin.

4. Use the Split-Step for Quick Reaction

The split-step is a footwork technique used by many advanced players to quickly react to an opponent's serve.

How to Perform a Split-Step

  1. As your opponent strikes the ball, hop slightly with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. As you land, stay on the balls of your feet, ready to move in any direction.
  3. Use this balanced position to take off quickly toward the ball.

Why It Works: The split-step gets you moving as soon as you see the ball’s direction, allowing for faster reaction times and better returns.

5. Choose the Right Stroke: Forehand vs. Backhand

Your choice between forehand and backhand depends on where the ball is served and which stroke you’re more comfortable with. Here’s how to optimize both:

Forehand Return

  • Generally, most players are more comfortable with their forehand. If possible, position yourself to use a forehand return on most serves.
  • For a powerful forehand return, step into the shot with your lead foot, make contact with the ball in front of your body, and follow through with a full swing.

Backhand Return

  • If the serve is aimed at your backhand side, don’t rush to run around it. A solid backhand return can be just as effective.
  • For a smooth backhand return, keep your wrist firm, step into the shot with your non-dominant foot, and follow through along the path of the ball.

Tip: Practice your backhand consistently. The more comfortable you are with your backhand, the less vulnerable you’ll be to serves targeted to that side.

6. Mix Up Your Return Strategies

While consistency is important, predictability can be a disadvantage. If your opponent starts anticipating where you’ll return each serve, they can adjust their positioning and strategy. Mixing up your return strategy keeps your opponent guessing.

Examples of Variation:

  • Return deep to the baseline one time and hit a short drop shot the next time.
  • Alternate between crosscourt and down-the-line returns.
  • Occasionally use a lob return to throw your opponent off balance.

Why It Works: Variety forces your opponent to react quickly and adapt, reducing their chances of setting up an aggressive shot.

7. Advanced Tip: Neutralizing Power Serves

For advanced players, returning powerful serves can be a challenge. When faced with a fast, powerful serve, the key is to use the opponent’s power against them.

How to Do It:

  1. Shorten your backswing: With less time to react, a shorter backswing allows you to make quicker contact with the ball.
  2. Absorb the pace: Instead of trying to hit the ball hard, simply guide it back over the net by absorbing the pace of the serve.
  3. Focus on placement: Even with a fast serve, placing your return deep and toward the sidelines puts your opponent under pressure.

8. Approach the Net After Your Return

After a good return, particularly a deep or angled shot, you should quickly move forward to the non-volley zone (the kitchen). This puts you in a more offensive position, allowing you to take control of the rally with volleys and dinks.

Tip: Use the time during your opponent’s backswing to move forward and establish your position near the kitchen line.

Conclusion: Return with Purpose

To win more points in pickleball, mastering the return of serve is essential. By focusing on depth, placement, and adjusting your techniques to different types of serves, you can take control of the rally right from the start. Remember to practice mixing up your returns to keep your opponent off balance, and always look to move forward to the net after making a strong return.

Incorporate these strategies into your practice sessions, and you’ll see noticeable improvements in your ability to return serves effectively, giving you a tactical edge and helping you win more points.

One of the best ways to improve your returns is to train with a ball machine that feeds hundreds of balls deep to both the forehand and backhand side.

Consider renting one of our ball machines to get started on practicing your returns more!