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Serve It, Return It, WIN It!

Mary Brascia winds up for a powerful forehand serve during Pro Women’s Singles action at the PPA Mesa Open, aiming deep to her opponent’s backhand. Photo by Bruce Yeung.
Mary Brascia prepares to hit a forehand serve deep to her opponent’s backhand during Pro Women’s Singles division play at the PPA Mesa Open Tournament in Mesa, AZ. Photo by Bruce Yeung; IG: @yeungphotography.

We all know that the serve and return are two of the most important shots in the game, and how well they are executed can significantly impact the outcome of a rally.

For starters, the serve is the only way a team can score points, and a strong serve can set the tone for the rest of the match. A good serve can force a weak return, which gives the serving team an advantage.

Some tips for serving include:

  • Aim deep. Focus on keeping your serve as deep in the court as possible.

  • Aim for your opponent’s backhand. This is often their weaker side.


Pickleball court diagram showing scoring zones for a serve and return drill. The server’s side has three horizontal zones labeled 1, 2, and 5 points, increasing in depth. The returner’s side mirrors this, with zones labeled 1, 2, and 5 points progressing deeper into the court. The layout emphasizes rewarding deeper serves and returns, especially to the backhand side.

Implementing these strategies can help your team control the point and prevent your opponent from crushing a forehand return.

On the flip side of the coin, a good return can help you control the rally from the start and can even give you an opportunity to neutralize a strong team.

A strong return can:

  • Put your opponent on defense. A deep return can keep your opponent pinned to the baseline, giving you time to get to the non-volley line.

  • Set up an advantageous third shot. A good return can help you transition to the net and set up a better third shot.

  • Avoid giving your opponent an advantage. A short return can draw your opponent closer to the non-volley line, and returning the ball to a stronger opponent can also be a disadvantage.

From an offensive perspective, serving deep into your opponents’ court allows you to take full control of where and how deep you place the ball, and your opponent will have to adjust accordingly.

From a returner’s perspective, placing the ball deep and close to the baseline provides more time for you to get to the non-volley line and prepare for your opponents’ next ball, whether it’s a drop or a drive.

Here is a good drill to practice your returns while your teammate works on serves.

  • Place two targets/zones between the NVZ and baseline on both sides of the court, maybe 5-6 feet from the baseline.

  • Take turns attempting to serve past the target/zone area. The other player should attempt to return the ball past the targets/zones as well.

  • Give yourselves a point each time you serve deep, past the target/zone.

  • Give yourselves 5 points if you serve deep and to the backhand! Play to 11, then rotate roles.

For more advanced players

You can set up an additional zone closer to the baseline for even more points if a serve or return lands in that “mega-deep” area.

You can also create lanes to serve and return to. For example, you could place a target parallel to the center line about halfway between the non-volley line and the baseline. The server will receive more points for serving to the zone that leads to the opponent’s backhand, and the returner will also receive additional points for returning down the lane to the server’s backhand. •

Lamar Scott was the 2024 PPR Clinician of the Year. He is a Dual Impact pro certified with PTR Tennis and PPR Pickleball. Currently Lamar serves as the workshop coordinator and coach developer liaison for PPR.


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