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The Secret To A Better Return of Serve

🎯 The Secret to a Better Return of Serve in Pickleball

In pickleball, movement direction is everything. When you’re moving forward, you’re on offense. When you’re moving backward, you’re on defense—and you never want to be on defense. Your goal should always be to move forward until you’re at the kitchen line, the best position on the court to win points.

As the returner, you get first access to the kitchen. The server must stay back to hit their third shot, which means you have a critical opportunity to take control of the point—if you play it right.

Here’s where most players go wrong:

They stand right on the baseline to hit their return. But in reality, most serves land deep. So, when you stand on the baseline, the first thing you end up doing is stepping back to adjust to the serve. The moment you step back, you’re on defense. You’re losing time, losing court position, and falling behind in the point.

The solution?

Start your return position 2–3 steps behind the baseline. From there, when the serve comes in, you can move forward into the shot. That small adjustment puts you in an offensive mindset, gives you better timing, and gets you closer to the kitchen faster.

You’ll be surprised how much more effective your return becomes—just by flipping the script and hitting while moving forward.

Click here for a full video on how to INSTANTLY Improve Your Return

No More Neves During Competitive Pickleball! Steal This Strategy!

Many beginner and intermediate players make the same mistake: they walk onto the court and go full throttle from point one—trying to play like Ben Johns, crushing every shot, swinging for the fences.

And what happens? They start missing, fast. Unforced errors pile up. Confidence drops. Frustration kicks in. Why? Because they set the bar too high from the start—and there’s nowhere to go but down.

Here’s a mindset shift that can transform your match play:

🎯 Think of Pickleball Like Riding a Mountain Bike

Start in gear 1. Get a feel for your rhythm, timing, and consistency. As you warm up and find your groove, shift up—to gear 2, 3, and beyond. If you’re rolling, keep rolling.

But what happens when you hit a hill? Or something feels off? You downshift.

Hit a few bad returns? Downshift—take speed off and add margin.

Missed your last couple of drops into the net? Downshift—give yourself more space to land the shot.

Once you regain control, shift back up as needed. Some matches might only require gear 3 to win. Others might demand gear 9. Only shift up when the moment calls for it.

This is how the pros do it. Ben Johns in round one vs. a qualifier? He might stay in gear 2 the entire match. Against Tyson McGuffin in the finals? He may need every gear he’s got.

End Of Spring & Summer Programs Start This Week!

Universal Rackets is kicking off another exciting season — now offering programs at 38+ locations across PA, NJ, TX, FL, and IL!

Whether you’re looking for:

✅ Adult or Youth clinics

✅ Rating clinics

✅ Youth Summer Camps

✅ Social tournaments

✅ Round robins

✅ Picklepaloozas

✅ Fundraising events

✅ Or just a great way to play…

We’ve got something for every pickleballer and tennis player — of every age and skill level.

As your all-in-one, inclusive community provider, Universal Rackets offers flexible scheduling with programs available on weekdays, weekends, mornings, and evenings.

For Jersey Shore Programs visit: www.jerseyshorepickleballclinics.com

For Philadelphia Programs visit: www.phillypickleballclinics.com

For Main Line Programs visit: www.mainlinepickleballclinics.com

For Montgomery Programs visit: www.montgomerypapickleball.com

Click here to view all of our programs!

How To Master The Backhand At The Kitchen aka The Hardest Shot In Pickleball

Have you ever noticed that even advanced players struggle with their backhand at the kitchen? Especially when positioned on the left side of the court, the backhand dink can feel awkward, inconsistent, and easy to miss. But why?

Let’s break it down.

🎯 The Challenge of the Backhand Dink

Unlike the forehand dink, the one-handed backhand requires your paddle to cross your body, which demands earlier preparation and more precise timing. Many players—even those with a tennis background—have trouble because they bring over habits like looping paddle swings, which delay contact and reduce efficiency.

The #1 reason players miss backhands at the kitchen?

👉 Inefficient preparation and timing.

To fix it, start with this:

From your ready position, take your paddle directly to your lower left leg, eliminating any unnecessary motion. This gives you ideal spacing to strike the ball in the optimal contact zone.

If your paddle is too far back, too close to your body, or too early/late in contact, your shot will lack control. Simple as that.

🦵 Don’t Forget the Footwork

The second biggest culprit behind missed backhands is poor footwork.

At the kitchen, footwork is all about sliding and shuffling—not bouncing or stepping across your body. Your stance should be athletic, low, and balanced, with lateral mobility as your foundation. Think of your legs as your engine. Strong footwork allows you to move into position and recover to ready stance efficiently.

If you’re moving awkwardly, you’re not giving yourself a chance to hit a good shot.

🔁 The Three Types of Backhand Shots at the Kitchen

#1 The Dink

A soft, controlled shot lifted from low to high, ideally just clearing the net and landing shallow in your opponent’s kitchen. If it’s too high or too deep, expect a volley return. Aim for precision and depth control.

#2 The Roll

This is an aggressive topspin shot used to apply pressure or initiate a firefight. Generated by your legs and upward paddle motion, the backhand roll adds pace and bounce, often catching opponents off guard.

#3 The Attack Volley

A no-backswing, explosive backhand used when the ball is waist-to-shoulder height. Hit out in front and follow through toward your opposite shoulder. Target the opponent straight ahead or any open angle they’ve left exposed.

✅ Final Tip

If you get tight, rushed, or out of sync on the backhand—go back to the basics:

 • Efficient paddle prep

 • Solid footwork

 • Smart shot selection based on court position

Master the fundamentals, and the confidence will follow.

Lesson of the Week: Full Backhand Side Masterclass

Click here to view this week’s lesson

Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!

-Universal Rackets