Return of Serve Tips
The return of serve is one of the most important shots in pickleball — and one of the most underrated. A good return puts you in position to control the point. A weak return puts you on defense immediately. Here's how to make your returns work for you.
🎯 The Golden Rule: Hit It Deep
Depth is everything on the return. A deep return (landing within 2-3 feet of the baseline) does three critical things:
- Keeps the serving team back at the baseline
- Gives you time to reach the kitchen line
- Makes their third shot harder to execute
A short return invites the serving team to attack immediately. Depth buys you time and position.
The Mechanics
Ready Position
Stand 1-2 feet behind the baseline, paddle up and in front of you. Weight on the balls of your feet. You should be ready to move forward, backward, or laterally depending on where the serve goes.
Don't stand too deep — you want to step into the return, not reach for it.
Contact Point
Let the ball come to you. Make contact out in front of your body, not at your side. A forward contact point gives you better control and more power with less effort.
For high bouncing serves, take it at the top of the bounce or on the way up. Don't wait for it to drop — that eats up time you need to get to the net.
Follow Through
Your paddle should finish high and toward your target. A complete follow-through adds depth naturally. Stopping your swing short is a common cause of short returns.
Strategic Targets
- Deep to the middle: The safest return. Creates confusion between opponents about who takes the third shot. Lowest risk of going out.
- Deep to the backhand: Most players have weaker backhands. A deep return to the backhand corner makes their third shot more difficult.
- At the server's feet: If the server is creeping forward, a return at their feet as they move is hard to handle.
- Down the line (advanced): Risky but effective. If the server's partner is poaching, a return down the line catches them out of position.
Getting to the Net
After hitting your return, your job is to get to the kitchen line. This is non-negotiable in doubles — the returning team should always be moving forward.
Move Forward Immediately
Don't watch your return. Hit and move. Your momentum should already be carrying you forward as you complete your follow-through.
Move With Your Partner
Both returner and partner should advance together, staying side by side. Don't leave gaps by moving at different speeds.
Split Step Before the Third
As the serving team hits their third shot, execute a split step (small hop landing with feet wide). This gets you balanced and ready to react in either direction.
Common Return Mistakes
⚠️ Avoid These Errors
- Hitting short: Returns that land mid-court are attackable. When in doubt, add more depth.
- Standing too deep: Starting far behind the baseline means a longer run to the net. Position yourself to hit and move forward.
- Not moving after the return: Standing and watching your shot wastes precious time. Hit and go.
- Trying to win the point: The return isn't for winners. It's for getting position. Play steady, not spectacular.
- Overhitting: More power = more errors. Controlled depth beats hard but inconsistent.
Returning Different Serves
Deep Serves
For serves that push you back, focus on contact and depth. Don't try to do too much — just get it deep and get moving. Consider a slice return to keep the ball low and buy extra time.
Short Serves
Step forward aggressively. You can attack a short serve with pace if you choose, but depth is still more important than power. The advantage of a short serve is you're already closer to the net after hitting.
Spin Serves
Watch the ball carefully. Topspin serves kick up; slice serves stay low. Adjust your contact point accordingly. When facing heavy spin, block the return with a compact swing rather than taking a full cut.
Practice Drill
Set up targets (cones, towels, or spots) 2-3 feet inside the baseline on both sides of the court. Practice returns with a partner serving. Score yourself: 2 points for hitting the target zone, 1 point for baseline half, 0 points for mid-court or out. Aim for 15+ points out of 20 returns.
The Bottom Line
A great return doesn't need to be flashy. It needs to be deep, consistent, and give you time to establish position at the kitchen. Master depth and movement, and you'll win more points before the real rally even starts.