I find most players don’t spend enough time practicing their pickleball service return. So today let’s consider three important factors that will determine your success.
Service Return errors
Just as we rarely want to have a service error, we want to minimize unforced service return errors. I think some players miss their service return because rather than focusing on the shot they are thinking about hurrying to the non-volley zone line. Others overreact to their opponent hitting a hard serve by taking too big of a swing. Remember, a proper pickleball groundstroke swing only takes the paddle back as far as your hip and forward to the target.
Focus On These 3 Keys
The key to an effective service return lies in 3 key points. And the great news is that two of the three can occur before the server even hits the ball.
- Position – The biggest mistake players make is standing too close to the baseline. If your opponent hits a deep return you then have to back up to hit it. Instead, give yourself room behind the line so that you can move forward. This will create a better backswing and better weight transfer to the ball. If someone hits a high lofty serve this will make it easier for you to create the ideal contact point.
- Contact point – When connecting with the return you want your contact in front of you. If you give yourself room to move forward, your weight will naturally move through the ball. Remember the return isn’t simply a groundstroke … it is an approach shot. This means you want to be moving forward as you strike the ball. Prepare early to hit the ball. When your opponent makes contact decide if it will be a forehand or backhand return and pull your paddle back (you only need it as far as your hip). When the ball bounces, push through the ball with your weight transitioning forward. And remember, unlike huge tennis follow-through, I think about hitting three balls and allowing my paddle to follow-through in the direction of my target.
- Direction – There is no one size fits all in a return of serve. Every team and strategy is a little different. You want to have the ability to hit it anywhere on the other side of the court and that takes practice. While many players are told to hit to the middle of the court, you want to be able to hit it cross-court, down the line, or to the middle. Perhaps one of your opponents is more aggressive at the net. You might choose to return to them to keep them off the net a bit longer.
You’ll notice above, that my position behind the line and the target (or direction) of my service return can occur before the server even hits the ball. This mental and physical preparation is key…and can be done by any level player!
Service return Practice
When you practice, call your target on every shot! You can also practice changing things up…perhaps throwing in a lob return from time to time. When you practice, allow yourself to make a mistake. Remember, we all make mistakes, and learning from our mistakes is the only way we improve.
