In pickleball, the return of serve is one of the most crucial shots in the game. A well-placed return can immediately put your opponents on the defensive and set your team up for success. But how do you decide where to hit it? Professional pickleball player Jessie Irvine shares her invaluable insights on mastering the return of serve in doubles and mixed doubles.
The Strategy Behind the Serve Return
Jessie emphasizes that her approach to returning serves involves a series of "checkpoints" to determine the optimal placement. It's not just about hitting it back; it's about hitting it strategically to gain an advantage.
You can watch Jessie explain her tips in action here:
1. Target the Weaker Third-Shot Player
One of Jessie's primary strategies is to identify and target the opponent who is less consistent with their third shot. By returning the serve to this player, you increase the likelihood of them making an error, giving your team an immediate edge in the rally [00:23]. This forces them to perform under pressure and can lead to unforced errors.
2. Keep the Aggressive Player Back
If you're facing an opponent who is known for their aggressive play at the kitchen line, Jessie suggests returning the serve directly to them [00:48]. This seemingly counter-intuitive move is designed to keep them further back from the net, limiting their ability to launch an immediate offensive attack. By forcing them to hit a third shot from deeper in the court, you reduce their threat and give your team more time to prepare for the subsequent shots.
3. When in Doubt, Go Down the Middle
What if both opponents seem equally skilled or aggressive? Jessie has a solution for that too: hit your return of serve down the middle of the court [01:26]. This is a high-percentage shot that offers several benefits:
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Limits Angles: Hitting down the middle reduces the angles your opponents have to work with, making it harder for them to hit an aggressive shot back at you.
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Forces Communication: A ball hit down the middle often creates confusion between opponents, forcing them to communicate who will take the shot. Any hesitation can lead to an error.
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High Percentage: It's generally a safer shot, reducing your own unforced errors.
Why These Checkpoints Matter
Jessie's tips highlight the importance of thoughtful shot placement over raw power. By strategically returning the serve, you can:
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Control the Pace: Dictate the flow of the game by forcing your opponents into uncomfortable positions.
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Create Opportunities: Generate weaknesses in your opponents' game that you can then exploit for an offensive attack.
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Reduce Errors: Make high-percentage shots that minimize your own mistakes.
By incorporating these checkpoints into your return of serve strategy, you'll be well on your way to elevating your pickleball game!
