In pickleball, you’ll spend time as both the serving team and the receiving team. While the serving team has the first chance to score, the receiving team has a critical advantage: you start the rally already halfway to the Kitchen line. The goal as the receiving team is to keep your opponents pinned back at the baseline, making it harder for them to reach the Kitchen line where most points are won.
Here are eight return-of-serve tips to help you put pressure on the serving team and set yourself up for success:
1. Start in Ready Position
When receiving, one partner should be positioned at the Kitchen line and the other (the returner) should stand 2–3 feet behind the baseline. Standing back gives you more time to react and set up your shot.
2. Move Your Feet
Most players prefer to return with their forehand, but don’t force it. If the serve targets your backhand, move your feet quickly, and if you can’t, go ahead and hit the backhand return. It’s better to stay controlled than to stretch and risk an error.
3. Take Short Backswings and Watch the Ball
Compact swings give you more control and reduce mistakes. Always watch the pickleball all the way to your paddle to avoid unforced errors.
4. Hit Returns Deep and to the Middle
Mix up your returns, but your bread-and-butter shot should be deep and through the middle, slightly toward the opponents’ backhands. A return down the middle forces indecision between opponents and reduces their angles of attack on the third shot.
5. Aim Safely Inside the Baseline
Don’t aim for the back line. Instead, target 2–3 feet inside the baseline to avoid sailing balls long. Consistency is more valuable than risk.
6. Move to the Kitchen Line After Your Return
After hitting your return, immediately start moving forward. The Kitchen line is the strongest position in pickleball. Get there quickly and be ready to hold it.
7. Use the Lob Return for More Time
If you’re struggling to reach the Kitchen line, try a lob return or a return with more arc. This buys you time to advance, though be mindful of windy conditions, which can make lobs risky.
8. Target Opponent Weaknesses
Pay attention to your opponents. Maybe one has a weaker third shot, or struggles with the backhand shot. Direct your returns toward their weaknesses to force errors and keep control of the rally.
As the receiving team, your job is simple: keep the serving team back and win the race to the Kitchen line. By starting in the right position, keeping your returns deep, and moving forward with purpose, you’ll make it much harder for the serving team to dictate the rally. So next time you step on the court, use these tips to put the pressure back where it belongs, on your opponents.
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