Pickleball Tips - 4.0 To Pro, A Pocket-Sized Pickleball Podcast 47: The Secret Sauce on Pickleball Returns!
Aug 10, 2025
Delve into the art of returning in pickleball, from the challenges of getting back into the game to mastering footwork and balance. Discover strategic techniques for effective serve returns, including targeting specific court areas and adapting to opponents. Personal anecdotes add flair as players learn to slice and place their shots effectively. Plus, uncover tips on exploiting weaknesses and enhancing core positioning for successful returns, ensuring a competitive edge on the court.
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Footwork Is The Biggest Multiplier
- Footwork and balance are foundational and often explain most errors and injuries on court.
- Improving stance and not running through shots yields big gains across levels, even advanced players.
Start Deep And On Your Toes
- Move several feet behind the baseline before returning so your momentum goes forward into the court.
- Stay on the balls of your feet and plant forward instead of being pushed backward by a deep serve.
Turn Incoming Slice Into Offense
- Modern paddles and heavy slice returns let you convert incoming backspin into aggressive topspin returns.
- Use the opponent's spin to dip your hard return into the court rather than always slicing.