To return serve in pickleball, stand 2-3 feet behind the baseline, let the serve bounce, and hit a deep return through the middle. Aim about 2-3 feet inside the baseline, then move to the kitchen line right away. The return is the second shot of the rally, and a good one takes the serving team's best position away. This guide is part of our strategy guides and covers doubles first.
Where do you stand to return serve?
The returner stands about 2-3 feet behind the baseline. That extra step gives you time to read the ball and set up your swing. Standing right on the line feels aggressive. It also leaves you jammed on deep serves.
In doubles, your partner does not stand back with you. Only the player receiving the serve starts behind the baseline. The other player waits at the kitchen line, ready to pressure the serving team once the return is in play. If you are unsure of your spots, read where to stand in doubles.
What must happen before you hit the return?
The serve has to bounce before you hit it. In the words of the basics list, the serve must bounce before being returned. So don't volley a serve, even when it looks easy.
The serve also travels diagonally. The server hits from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service court, so you always know which side the ball is coming to. The server stays back until the third shot has been hit. That is the two-bounce rule at work: your return must bounce too before the serving team can hit it.
Where should the return go?
Your default return is deep and through the middle. Think of it as a plain, repeatable shot. It isn't a winner, and it doesn't need to be. Here is how the main choices compare.
| Situation | Return choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Normal serve | Deep, through the middle | Forces indecision between opponents and narrows their angles |
| Opponent has a weaker backhand | Deep, toward the backhand | Draws errors on the third shot |
| You cannot reach the kitchen line | Higher, arcing return | Buys time to move forward |
| Windy day | Flatter, controlled return | Lobs are riskier in wind |
Deep and through the middle
A return down the middle forces indecision between the two opponents. Each player hesitates over who takes it, and neither wants to leave the other's ball, and the middle takes away sharp angles for their third shot. Angle it slightly toward the backhand side of the opponents when you can.
Aim 2-3 feet inside the baseline
Do not aim at the back line. Pick a spot about 2-3 feet inside it. A ball that lands there is still deep enough to keep the serving team back, and it leaves you room for error. Consistency is worth more than risk here. A return in the net or out hands over the point before the rally starts.
Pick on a weaker shot
If one opponent has a shaky backhand or a weak third shot, send more returns their way. Do it quietly, with the same deep, controlled shot as always. The point is to make them hit the hard ball, not to hit it harder yourself. Their third shot is often a third-shot drop, and a deep return makes that drop harder to hit.
How do you swing and move on the return?
Most missed returns come from rushing. Settle your feet before the ball arrives, turn your shoulders early, and let the ball come to you instead of lunging at it.
Keep the swing short. A short backswing gives you control, and control is the whole job. Watch the ball all the way to your paddle, which cuts down unforced errors.
Favor your forehand, but do not force it. If the serve goes to your backhand, move your feet quickly. If you cannot get around in time, hit the backhand. It is better to stay controlled than to stretch and risk an error.
What do you do right after the return?
Move forward immediately. The strongest position in pickleball is the kitchen line, and the receiving team can win the race to it because the server is still back. Do not stand and admire the return. Hit it, then walk or jog up behind it and meet your partner at the line. Stop before you step into the kitchen and hold your spot.
If you struggle to reach the line, a lob or higher-arcing return can buy you time to advance. Use it as a tool, not a habit. Wind can carry a lob long or short, and a lob that sits up gives the other side an easy overhead.
Try it with Pickle Call
A good return starts with knowing who serves and from where. Pickle Call is a pickleball score app coming to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Tap the side that won the rally and the app keeps the score and the serving call, so you can focus on the return. A small court on the score screen shows each player's position and marks the server as 1 or 2. See how it works on the server 1 or 2 page. No account, and your games stay on your devices.
Bottom line
Stand 2-3 feet behind the baseline, let the serve bounce, and hit deep through the middle, landing 2-3 feet inside the line. Then move to the kitchen line with your partner. A steady, deep return beats a flashy one almost every time, so practice the same shot until it feels boring.
Questions
- Does the return of serve have to bounce?
- Yes. The serve must bounce before it is returned, and the serving side lets your return bounce before they hit it. That is why the server stays back until the third shot.
- Where should you stand to return serve?
- The returner stands about 2-3 feet behind the baseline. In doubles, your partner waits at the kitchen line while you take the return.
- How deep should a return of serve be?
- Deep, but not on the back line. Aim about 2-3 feet inside the baseline so the ball keeps the serving team back without sailing long.
- Should you lob the return of serve?
- Only when you cannot reach the kitchen line otherwise. A higher return buys time to move forward, but wind makes a lob risky.
