As much as the serve in pickleball is talked about, one that can be as important is the serve return. A serve return in pickleball can make or break a point as much as getting the serve in. So let’s talk about the rules and strategies for a consistent, good return.
The Serve Return In Pickleball
Who Can Return A Serve In Pickleball
The player to whom the ball is being served is the only one that can return the serve. If the player’s partner returns the serve, it is a fault. If the server serves to the wrong player, it is considered a fault on the server’s side.
Pickleball Serve Return Rules
To return a serve, you must let the ball bounce. While you can make a half-volley return, the ball must contact the ground before your paddle hits the ball. While there is no hard rule on where you can stand to receive a serve, you want to stay behind the baseline as much as possible.
If you stand on the baseline or too close to it, you will have to back up to return a deep serve. When you’re having to back up, you may not be well-balanced and could cause a weak return.
Pickleball Serve Return Strategy
A serve return in pickleball can make or break a point so it is very important to have a good one. If you’re making the serve return, aim to return the ball deep to your opponent’s backhand. The deeper your return is, the harder it is for your opponents to make their third shot. The further the ball is from you, the more time you and your partner will have to get to the kitchen line.
You want to gain as much time as possible so make sure your serve return does not have a lot of pace or power. Otherwise, the ball will reach your opponents faster where they can make their third shot before you and your partner have enough time to move up.
If you can return a serve with a slice to create a backspin on the ball, it will make it even harder for your opponents to make a good third shot. Most beginner and many intermediate players have a hard time with backspin. Their third shot tends to end up at the net.
The one serve return you would want to avoid is a short, high return. That gives your opponent a high ball to do a third-shot drive. And worse, it brings them up closer to the kitchen. If your opponent makes a short, high return, make sure you take advantage of it for your third shot.
Can The Return Of Serve In Pickleball Land In The Kitchen?
While a deep return is best, you can return a serve that lands in the kitchen. The only rule against a ball landing in the kitchen or kitchen line is the service. You can even “drop” your service return. However, this is not a good strategy unless your opponents are very slow or immobile.
A super short return will only bring your opponents faster to the kitchen than you or your partner would be able to. Once they’re up at the kitchen, they have more angles and room to hit on your side of the court. In pickleball, the team that controls the kitchen line normally wins the point. You don’t want to give your opponents a head start with a short return if you can help it.
More Pickleball Tips
Just like the serve fault, a serve return fault can give away free points without your opponents working for it. You don’t want to hit a return out or hit such a weak return that your opponents can take advantage of it. A “good return” is one that lands toward the back third of your opponent’s court.
You may be surprised how much control and aim it takes to consistently make the shot in that area. To practice, you will need a partner, some targets to place at the court, and a basket full of balls.
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