Returning a serve in pickleball is a crucial skill that can set the tone for the rest of the point. Here are some valuable tips:
- Positioning: Stand behind the baseline to permit moving forward to hit the return with momentum. Avoid standing too close to the line to prevent getting jammed or having to take a step back for a comfortable shot.
- Stroke Technique: Use a forehand with a backswing and follow-through, stepping forward to meet the ball in front of the body. This allows the receiver to quickly move toward the net by following the natural momentum of the follow-through.
- Return Placement: The main goal is to return the serve deep to keep the serving team at the baseline. A short return brings the serving team forward, allowing them to reach the non-volley zone (NVZ) line and negating the receiving team’s advantage.
- Reacting to Fast Serves: It’s important to get down low with your body and have a wide stance when dealing with fast serves. Minimize your backswing and present your paddle to redirect the server’s power instead of taking a big swing at it yourself.
Remember, practice and experience are key to improving your return of serve in pickleball.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when returning serve?
When returning a serve, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can hinder your game. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Standing Too Close: One of the most common mistakes is standing too close to the baseline. This can lead to being pushed back by a deep serve, forcing you to hit the ball while moving backward.
- Short Returns: Hitting a low and hard return can let your opponent respond and catch you in the transition zone. It’s important to give the ball plenty of lift to have time to get to the non-volley zone (NVZ).
- Hesitating: Stopping and watching your shot after the return can lead to getting stuck in transition. Instead, returning and running to the NVZ is important to maintain momentum.
You can improve your game by avoiding these mistakes and focusing on depth, time, and consistency in your return.
How to improve your return of serve
To improve your return of serve, consider the following tips:
- Positioning and Technique: Stand behind the baseline to allow forward movement and use a wide stance to react to fast serves quickly. Minimize your backswing and present your paddle to redirect the server’s power instead of taking a big swing at it yourself.
- Return Placement: Aim for a medium lofted ball with a 45-degree angle, deep to the middle of the server’s court, without putting too much pace on it. This allows you to use the server’s power at your pace and gives you time to get to the non-volley zone (NVZ).
- Anticipation and Movement: Anticipate the speed of the ball and make quick movements to get on it. Move your body forward when attacking the ball and try to hit a deep slice return, or put some air under it to hit the return deep.
- Consistency and Depth: Focus on consistency, depth, and getting to the non-volley zone after hitting your return. A deep return keeps your opponents pinned on the baseline, making their third shot more difficult.
By incorporating these tips into your game and practicing your return of serve, you can improve your performance and increase your chances of winning points in pickleball.
What are some drills to improve your return of serve in pickleball?
Here are some drills to improve your return of serve:
- Positioning Drill: Practice standing behind the baseline to allow for forward movement and quick reactions to fast serves. This will help you be better positioned to hit the return effectively.
- Return Placement Drill: Work on hitting a medium lofted ball with a 45-degree angle, deep to the middle of the server’s court without putting too much pace on it. This will help you to practice returning the serve with the right placement and depth.
- Anticipation and Movement Drill: Set up drills to practice anticipating the speed of the ball and making quick movements to get on it. Focus on moving your body forward when attacking the ball and hitting a deep slice return or putting some air under it to hit the return deep.
- Consistency and Depth Drill: Create drills focusing on consistency, depth, and getting to the non-volley zone after hitting your return. This will help you improve your consistency and depth in returning serves and transition to an advantageous position on the court.
Additionally, watching instructional videos like “Improve Your Return of Serve with this Easy Drill – Skills and Drills” on YouTube can provide visual guidance and tips from pickleball professionals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZV9TkvljcM&t=1s).
The information in this blog post comes from my research and experience playing pickleball and can be found in my books — HOW TO GET STARTED PLAYING PICKLEBALL, HOW TO IMPROVE FROM BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE IN PICKLEBALL, PICKLEBALL FOR SENIORS, and SMART PICKLEBALL — all available on Amazon. I hope you learn something from this post that you can take onto the courts to help you improve your game.