In pickleball, a strong serve and return are essential for controlling the flow of the rally right from the start. The serve is your first opportunity to set the tone for the point, and a strategic return can give you the upper hand. As pickleball paddle technology progresses, players can hit stronger, faster and more aggressive serves while maintaining control, which means they are starting off the point with a bang. By not taking advantage of your serve, you start off the point at a disadvantage by letting your opponents get a free ride to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). Here’s how to master both and give yourself the best chance of success.
The Power of the Serve: Setting the Tone
When serving, one of the most important things to focus on is depth. A deep serve pushes your opponent back, limiting their ability to attack, and gives you control over the point. In comparison, if you serve it in the middle of the box, the likelihood of an aggressive return and your opponent getting to the net increases. An aggressive return creates a toughthird shot and puts your team at a disadvantage by having both your opponents at the net while your team is still stuck at the baseline. In addition to a deep serve, focus on accuracy and placement to cause trouble for your opponent by making them move or forcing them to hit the return on their weaker side (usually their backhand). An aggressive serve keeps your opponent on the defensive, and it can even force them to hit a weaker return.
However, if you always serve deep to your opponent's backhand, that can become extremely predictable, allowing your opponent to prepare and giving them more time to strategize. If you vary your serves, you’ll keep your opponent guessing. Mix up the spin, speed, and placement of your serves to avoid being predictable. A topspin serve creates a high bounce, challenging your opponent to react quickly. A slice serve skids low, making it difficult for them to make an aggressive return. You can even occasionally throw in a soft serve to disrupt their timing. The more variety you add to your serve, the harder it is for your opponent to get into a rhythm.
The Return Game: Setting Up Your Advantage
Equally important as the serve is the return. A strong return sets up your rally and puts you in a good position to control the point. To succeed on the return, always aim deep to push the serving team back, creating more time and space between the two points of contact. The more pace and spin you add onto the return, the more aggressive the shot is creating pressure for your opponents. That being said, the return does not always have to be super fast. A slower, higher return that lands deep can give you more time to move toward the NVZ, where you can take control of the game. If you always have a shallow return it allows the serving team to move towards the NVZ and pressurize your team by attacking early and putting you on the defensive.
Quick Question: Would you rather have your opponents hitting their third shot from the baseline or the middle of the court? The closer your opponents get to you, the scarier it can be to receive that third shot, especially if it is a hard, fast drive.
Topspin is an effective tool for returns, as it causes the ball to dip quickly. This forces your opponent to hit up on their next shot, making it easier for you to set up your attack. Also, consider returning crosscourt whenever possible. The crosscourt shot gives you a larger target area, so it can be a lower-risk shot if you're receiving a difficult serve. A deep, well-placed return can put you in the driver’s seat for the rest of the rally.
Hitting with Intention: Selecting Where To Target
Accuracy, consistency, and control are determined by your grip, setup, impact point, and recovery skills. A comfortable grip, balanced setup and out-in-front impact point allow for control over your depth, height, pace and spin, which influences where the ball will go. Stance and footwork are crucial for generating power and control as well as stepping into the serve and return and preparing for the next shot.
By mastering the fundamentals of pickleball, players can start focusing on the strategy and placement of shots to neutralize or pressure opponents during the point. Before serving, choose a target on the court, such as down the T, out wide or towards the player. Notice how your opponent reacts to hitting different serves and discover what their weaknesses are to continue targeting during the game. Ensure you practice returning crosscourt or down the line so you can choose who you want to hit the third shot. If you notice one player has a weaker drive or high drop, try to return the ball to them to get an easier third shot. Whether you’re facing a hard serve or a soft one, being able to adjust to your opponent's serve, and sticking to your target while maintaining a deep return will give you the advantage.
Conclusion
Mastering the serve and return in pickleball is all about setting yourself up for success from the first shot. By prioritizing depth, varying your serves, and focusing on strategic returns, you can control the rally and dictate the pace of the game. Combine that with good footwork and positioning, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a force at the net.
Keep practicing, and before you know it, you’ll be serving and returning like a pro!