Return of Serve

Key Points

• 99% of returns should be aimed at the center line
• Unlike tennis, the returner in pickleball holds the advantage
• The return should be hit deep
• Typically, it’s best to stand behind the baseline to return a serve in order to prepare for a deep serve and enable yourself to move forward through the ball
• Aiming for the center line has the two-fold benefit of potentially skidding on the line and also limiting angles
• In pickleball, the return of serve is a weapon - the goal is good depth and also getting up to the kitchen line
• Just like a groundstroke, you should turn your shoulder, imagine a brick wall behind you, use your legs, and extend the arm forward after contact
• Moving through the ball is imperative - on the backhand, you can use a karaoke step to gain more forward ground