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Tipbit #30 - Return Serve
If you want to be competitive with the other RFPBA members, you need to develop a more effective Return of Serve.
Here are Five tips to focus on if you want a great return of serve.
1.) In pickleball as opposed to tennis, there is a good chance you can cover the whole service box, even if you are tucked to one side or the other. With that in mind, you want to shade to the side that allows you to hit from your favorite wing. Assuming you want to hit a forehand return, then position yourself then to hit a forehand 95% of the time. Think about it, how many backhand returns do you see Richard P or JB hit?
2.) Don’t stand on the baseline or too close to it; you will have to back up to return a deep serve. Because you're backing up, you'll be off-balanced. This limits your reaction time and prevents forward momentum; all of which could cause a weak return.
3.) Depth is always best. Depth makes it harder for your opponent to hit a strong third shot and allows you time to reach the NVZ line. The back 1/5th of the court is where you want your return of serve to land. If you're not hitting this spot regularly your opponent will, "take the net from you."
4.) Location is the next important part of the return of serve. You want to reduce the angles you give your opponent to hit shots from. This means if you're playing someone who can hit good passing shots, or can paint the kitchen corners, you want to aim toward the middle more often. Remember, “angle begets angle!” Plus, it creates confusion between your opponents.
5.) Return to the weaker side or opponent. If your opponent does have a weaker side, or if one of the opponents is weaker at third shot drop or drives, that's the target you should aim for.
* Personally, I like to hit my Return of Serve with a slice. A slice or backspin will typically cause the pickleball to take longer to travel in the air (as opposed to a flat return). This allows this old member additional time to get to the kitchen line and gain court position. Plus, it stays low to the ground after the bounce. This is key in preventing members from going on the attack with a ball high in their strike zone. I also find that under spin creates problems for many of my opponents when attempting to hit their third shot, as the pickleball slides or skips upon contact.
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C' ya on our Glen Park Courts. President Lueck