squared off to the path of your ball( don’ t flick your wrist) and follow through directly toward the target. This will increase your accuracy and consistency while also pulling you forward toward the NVZ line.
Placement
You want to ensure that you are nimble with your shot selection based on a number of variables such as depth and angle of serve, serving team’ s positioning and your opponent’ s strengths and weaknesses. As a general rule, your shots should be down the middle. By hitting in the middle, you reduce the angles and areas of opportunity from the serving team, allowing you to maintain optimal positioning for your next shot while also increasing confusion for them( Mine? Yours?). The confusion factor will be dramatically reduced with a seasoned team, but regardless you will still be limiting areas of opportunity for their next shot.
Does that mean you should not hit wide to someone with a weakness? This is where you need to be nimble; however, it depends on your skill level as well. The more accurate and consistent you are, the more you can vary your returns to take advantage of any weakness your opponents may have. In the end, the return of serve is an important shot since it sets up the rally and allows the returning team to get in position and control the rally while reducing variables. Hitting wide may be a smart strategy at times, however you need to ensure that you are ready for any angles it gives your opponents.
Movement
If after your service return you can make it to the NVZ and are set in your ready position before contacting the ball, all the better. For most players, that often doesn’ t happen. If you are moving forward, under control, with your paddle in front of you when you contact the ball without even trying, you will be transferring your weight forward, which allows you to direct the ball better while also helping to pull you forward. Do not stop to evaluate or to admire your shot— always be prepared for the next shot, with your paddle in the ready position comfortably in front of your sternum. control. If you can hit it hard and deep, then by all means keep that in your arsenal. Have a goal in mind in terms of where you want the ball to go( adjust your target size as your skill level improves). If you are going to hit to areas that give the serving team more angles, make sure your partner is aware of your strategy.
Practice
Use visuals when available. If you are a beginner, use short disc cones splitting the transition zone and focus on the back half of that zone. When you are consistently successful, move the cones back to 3 or 4 feet from the baseline. You want to make sure you can achieve success so that you can continue to layer in more challenging targets by reducing target size.
Another option is to start with a square based in the middle about 4 feet long and 10 feet wide( deepest part about 4 feet from the baseline), and as you achieve success, start reducing the width of the target over time until it is 4 feet wide as well. Always make sure you have a good margin for error; however, you can reduce your target size as your skill increases.
You also want to ensure that you have enough margin for error over the net as well. The harder you hit the ball, the less margin for error you have over the net, so make sure you factor in height of the ball and adjust your spin and speed accordingly. In the end, your goal is to be consistent while making the serving team’ s third shot more challenging and to keep your opponents at the baseline, when possible, to increase time and distance as you prepare for your next shot.
Incorporating these techniques into your return of serve will leave your opponents with the impression that they will have to work harder to win points. And remember to have fun! Hope this helps. •
Jeff Rausch is director of pickleball and head pro at Austin Pickle Ranch. He is responsible for creating and managing all pickleball programming for the 18-court facility.
Focus on Consistency and Accuracy
You want to make sure you remain nimble with your shot selection. A deep, soft, high arching shot allows the receiver to easily transition to the NVZ line fully in
SPRING 2026 | MAGAZINE 19