Epic Paddles

Return of Serve Strategies: 5 Ways to Take Control of the Point

Master the return of serve and immediately put pressure on your opponents with these five strategic approaches to taking control from the very first shot.

Return of Serve Strategies: 5 Ways to Take Control of the Point

The return of serve is the second most important shot in pickleball (after the third shot drop). A good return sets you up for success. A poor return puts you on defense immediately.

Many players focus heavily on their serve but neglect their return. This is backward thinking. While you can only win points on your serve through long rallies, you can lose points immediately on a bad return. The return is your first chance to take control of the point.

Here are five strategies to transform your return of serve from a liability into a weapon.

Strategy #1: The Deep Return

The Concept: Hit your return deep into your opponent's court, forcing them to hit their third shot from behind the baseline.

Why It Works:

  • Gives you more time to get to the net
  • Reduces your opponent's angle options
  • Makes their third shot drop harder to execute
  • Forces them to hit upward
  • Puts immediate pressure on the serving team

Execution:

  1. Position yourself

    • Stand 2-3 feet behind the baseline
    • This gives you room to step into the return
    • Adjust based on your opponent's serve depth

  2. Watch the serve

    • Read the trajectory early
    • Decide if you need to step in or stay back
    • Prepare your paddle early

  3. Contact point

    • Hit the ball at its peak or on the rise
    • Contact in front of your body
    • Use a compact swing

  4. Aim deep

    • Target the back third of the court
    • Aim for the baseline
    • Give yourself margin for error

  5. Follow through

    • Follow through toward your target
    • Keep the ball low over the net
    • Move immediately after contact

The Goal: Land the return within 3-4 feet of the baseline. This maximizes the distance your opponents have to cover while minimizing your own movement to the net.

Common Mistakes:

  • Hitting the return too short (gives them an easy third shot)
  • Trying to hit winners (puts you at risk of errors)
  • Not moving forward after the return
  • Standing too close to the baseline

When to Use: This is your default return strategy. Use it 70-80% of the time unless you have a specific reason to do something different.

Strategy #2: The Return to the Weaker Player

The Concept: Direct your return to the weaker player on the serving team, setting up favorable matchups for the rest of the point.

Why It Works:

  • Forces the weaker player to hit the third shot
  • Reduces the quality of their third shot
  • Gives you a better chance to attack their response
  • Sets up the point on your terms

Execution:

  1. Identify the weaker player

    • In warm-up, notice who struggles more
    • Usually has a weaker backhand
    • Often has less consistent shots
    • May be less mobile

  2. Aim accordingly

    • Return to that player's side
    • If they're on the right, return cross-court
    • If they're on the left, return down the line
    • Be consistent with your targeting

  3. Vary the return

    • Mix deep returns with occasional short angles
    • Force them to move
    • Don't become predictable

  4. Capitalize on their weakness

    • If they have a weak backhand, force backhands
    • If they're slow, hit away from them
    • If they struggle with pace, hit firm returns

The Goal: Make the weaker player beat you. Don't give the stronger player opportunities to take over the point.

Common Mistakes:

  • Not paying attention during warm-up
  • Targeting the stronger player by habit
  • Forgetting to adjust when they switch sides
  • Not communicating with your partner about the weaker player

When to Use: Always, if you can identify a weaker player. This is fundamental doubles strategy.

Strategy #3: The Low, Aggressive Return

The Concept: Hit a firm, low return that stays under net height and gives your opponents minimal time to react.

Why It Works:

  • Reduces their reaction time
  • Makes it harder for them to attack
  • Keeps the ball low (harder to drive)
  • Puts immediate pressure on the serving team
  • Can force errors from rushed third shots

Execution:

  1. Shorten your backswing

    • Compact motion
    • Less time from preparation to contact
    • More control at higher speeds

  2. Hit with pace

    • Firm, not wild
    • Use their serve pace to your advantage
    • Add your own power

  3. Keep it low

    • Aim just over the net
    • The lower, the better
    • Don't give them a high ball to attack

  4. Direct it

    • Pick a target (body, backhand, feet)
    • Aim for areas that are hard to handle
    • Make them uncomfortable

  5. Move immediately

    • Don't admire your return
    • Get to the net fast
    • Take advantage of their rushed response

The Goal: Force a weak third shot that you or your partner can attack at the net.

Common Mistakes:

  • Hitting too hard and losing control
  • Hitting too high (gives them an easy third shot)
  • Not moving forward after the return
  • Telegraphing the aggressive return

When to Use: When you get a serve you can attack (medium pace, predictable placement). Don't try this on tough serves.

Strategy #4: The Short Angle Return

The Concept: Hit a return that lands short and wide, pulling your opponent off the court and opening up space.

Why It Works:

  • Pulls opponent wide
  • Opens up the court
  • Forces them to hit on the run
  • Makes it harder for them to get to the kitchen
  • Creates opportunities for your next shot

Execution:

  1. Wait for the right serve

    • Needs to be a serve you can attack
    • Not too deep or too fast
    • Gives you time to execute

  2. Open your stance

    • Face the net more
    • Allows you to hit cross-court
    • Prepare early

  3. Brush across the ball

    • Use sidespin
    • Aim for the sideline
    • Keep it low

  4. Land it short

    • Aim for the service line or just inside
    • Pull them forward and wide
    • Make them hit an awkward shot

  5. Cover the middle

    • After hitting wide, shade toward the middle
    • Your partner covers the line
    • Be ready for a cross-court response

The Goal: Create an opening that you can exploit on subsequent shots.

Common Mistakes:

  • Hitting it too wide (out)
  • Not hitting it short enough
  • Not recovering position after the return
  • Using it too often (becomes predictable)

When to Use: Use sparingly—maybe 10-15% of returns. It's a change-up strategy, not a primary strategy.

Strategy #5: The Lob Return

The Concept: Return the serve with a high, deep lob over your opponents' heads, giving you time to get to the net while forcing them back.

Why It Works:

  • Gives you maximum time to get to the net
  • Forces opponents to retreat
  • Puts them in a defensive position
  • Changes the rhythm of the point
  • Can catch aggressive net players off guard

Execution:

  1. Use an open paddle face

    • Brush up the back of the ball
    • Get under the ball
    • Aim for height

  2. Hit it high

    • Well above their reach
    • Force them to look up
    • Buy yourself time

  3. Hit it deep

    • Aim for the baseline
    • Make them run back
    • Reduce their angle options

  4. Move immediately

    • As the ball goes up, you go forward
    • Get to the kitchen line
    • Take the net while they're retreating

  5. Be ready for the overhead

    • They might try to smash it
  • Block or reset their overhead
  • Stay balanced

The Goal: Neutralize the serve, get to the net, and force your opponents into a defensive position.

Common Mistakes:

  • Lobbing too short (easy put-away)
  • Not lobbing high enough
  • Not moving forward during the lob
  • Using it too often (predictable)

When to Use: Use sparingly—maybe 5-10% of returns. It's a surprise tactic, not a standard strategy. Best used against aggressive net players or when you need to change momentum.

The Complete Return Game Plan

Primary Strategy (70% of returns): Deep return to the weaker player

Secondary Strategy (15% of returns): Low, aggressive return when you get an attackable serve

Tertiary Strategy (10% of returns): Short angle return to mix things up

Surprise Strategy (5% of returns): Lob return to change rhythm

Decision Tree:

  1. Who's the weaker player? → Return to them (deep)

  2. Is the serve attackable? → Yes: Low, aggressive return → No: Deep return to weaker player

  3. Are we in a rut? → Yes: Short angle or lob to change rhythm → No: Stick with primary strategy

Return Positioning

Where to Stand:

  • 2-3 feet behind the baseline (default)
  • Further back against hard servers
  • Closer in against soft servers
  • Adjust based on serve patterns

Ready Position:

  • Paddle up and ready
  • Weight forward
  • Knees bent
  • Eyes on the server
  • Balanced and centered

After the Return:

  • Move forward immediately
  • Get to the kitchen line
  • Split-step just before opponent contact
  • Be ready for the third shot

Common Return Mistakes

Mistake #1: Standing Too Close Being right on the baseline leaves no room to step into the return.

Fix: Stand 2-3 feet back. Give yourself space to move forward.

Mistake #2: Not Moving Forward Hitting the return and staying back is a recipe for losing the point.

Fix: Move immediately. The return is your ticket to the net.

Mistake #3: Trying for Winners The return of serve isn't for hitting winners. It's for starting the point on your terms.

Fix: Focus on depth and placement, not power.

Mistake #4: Hitting Too Short Short returns give opponents easy third shots.

Fix: Aim for the baseline. Give yourself margin for error.

Mistake #5: Telegraphing Intentions Your opponent can read where you're going to return.

Fix: Use the same preparation for different returns. Decide at the last moment.

Mistake #6: Poor Communication You and your partner aren't on the same page about positioning.

Fix: Talk before the point. Know who's taking which balls.

Advanced Return Concepts

The Fake: Show cross-court preparation, then hit down the line (or vice versa). Creates hesitation.

The Chip Return: A soft, high return that lands deep. Buys you time to get to the net while not giving them an easy attack.

The Drive Return: Against a weak serve, drive the return aggressively. Forces a weak response you can attack.

The Body Return: Hit the return directly at the server. Hard to handle, limits their options.

Practice Drills

Drill 1: Depth Challenge

  • Practice returns aiming for specific depths
  • Place cones at 3 feet from baseline, 6 feet, 9 feet
  • Track accuracy
  • Focus on consistency

Drill 2: Target Practice

  • Place targets in different areas of the service court
  • Practice hitting specific targets
  • Work on placement over power

Drill 3: Game Simulation

  • Play points starting from the return
  • Track which return strategy works best
  • Adjust based on results

Drill 4: Pressure Returns

  • Practice returns with consequences for errors
  • Play games where you must get returns in
  • Build mental toughness

Final Thoughts

The return of serve is your first opportunity to take control of the point. Don't waste it with lazy, predictable returns.

Use these five strategies:

  1. Deep return (your bread and butter)
  2. Return to the weaker player (strategic targeting)
  3. Low, aggressive return (apply pressure)
  4. Short angle return (mix it up)
  5. Lob return (surprise tactic)

The best returners don't just get the ball back in play—they immediately put pressure on the serving team and set themselves up for success.

Work on your returns. They're just as important as your serve, your third shot, and your dinking. Master the return, and you'll win more points before the rally even really begins.

Remember: The return isn't the end of the point—it's the beginning. Make it count.