The Weak Return: How Rec Players Lose the First Advantage in Pickleball and How to Fix It

The Weak Return: Why Rec Players Give Away the First Advantage
In pickleball, the return of serve should be simple. The receiving team already starts with a built-in edge—they’re allowed to move to the net before the serving team can. That early positioning advantage should be enough to dictate the point. But in recreational play, this edge is often handed back within seconds.

Why? Because of weak returns.

A poor return doesn’t just squander an opportunity. It actively flips the point in the server’s favor. And once the serving team gets to the net early, the advantage is gone—and hard to get back.

Why the Return Matters So Much
Pickleball’s double-bounce rule creates a rare window. The serving team must let the return bounce before hitting their third shot. During that time, the receiving team can move to the net, claim the non-volley zone, and prepare to defend.

If the return of serve is deep and well-placed, the server is pushed back. The third shot becomes harder, and the receiving team holds their ground. But if the return floats, lands short, or drifts off target, the entire balance of the point shifts.

The server suddenly has room to drive. They can take time to set their feet. They can move forward behind the shot. And just like that, the advantage is lost.

What Makes a Return Weak?
Not all poor returns look the same. Some are simply under-hit. Others are hit hard but land in the wrong spot. In general, a weak return has one or more of the following traits:

Short depth: Lands inside the service line or just past it

High arc: Gives the opponent too much time to prepare

Lack of spin: Floats without movement or bounce variation

Wrong placement: Hits directly to the forehand or dominant shot zone

No follow-up positioning: The player doesn’t move forward after returning

Each of these opens the door for an aggressive third shot, which is often all the serving team needs to flip the rally in their favor.

Why It Happens in Rec Play
1. Over-Caution
Many players are afraid to miss the return, so they take power off the shot. While it’s true that getting the ball in is the first priority, consistently hitting soft, high, or shallow returns gives away initiative.

2. Lack of Targeting
Players often return to “somewhere near the middle” instead of picking a precise zone. Without purpose, the return is easier to read, and the server faces no pressure.

3. No Pre-Serve Read
Recreational players don’t often scout their opponent’s weaknesses before returning. They serve reactively instead of targeting a weak backhand, slow footwork, or unsteady balance.

4. Failure to Move After Returning
Even a solid return is wasted if the player doesn’t move forward behind it. Hanging back gives up the opportunity to control the kitchen line, allowing the serving team to move up uncontested.

What a Strong Return Looks Like
An effective return doesn’t need to be fancy. It needs to do three things:

Land deep—ideally within a few feet of the baseline

Target space—aim toward the backhand, sideline, or weaker side

Buy time—give yourself space to advance while forcing the server to stay back

Top players use slice, topspin, or directional returns based on their opponents’ habits. But even without advanced spin, a well-placed and intentional return can change the flow of the game.

Where to Aim the Return
The best targets vary depending on opponent skill and positioning, but a few consistent zones work well across all levels:

Deep backhand corner: Often forces a tougher third shot and discourages drives

Wide forehand with spin: Stretches aggressive players who prefer to step into drives

Down the middle: Creates confusion on who takes the third shot

The key is not just hitting the ball in, but placing it in a spot that makes the server uncomfortable.

How to Train Better Returns
1. Work on Depth, Not Speed
Focus on how far the ball lands, not how fast it travels. Deep returns that bounce close to the baseline are more effective than fast returns that land shallow.

2. Return and Advance
Build the habit of moving forward immediately after your return. Even one or two purposeful steps forward can make the difference between defending and dictating.

3. Use Visualization
Before returning, pick a clear target. Visualize where you want the ball to land. This helps reinforce intentional placement instead of reacting blindly.

4. Drill With Constraints
Set up practice drills where returns must land past a tape line or cone placed three feet inside the baseline. This helps build consistency and pressure tolerance.

5. Vary the Height and Arc
Not every return has to be low and fast. Mix in high, looping returns that land deep to push opponents back and make timing difficult. The goal is discomfort, not speed.

The Hidden Value of a Good Return
A strong return doesn’t just defend against the serve—it starts your team’s offense. It forces the server into a more defensive posture, often limits their shot options, and allows the returning team to take position at the net.

It also creates patterns. A good return followed by a smart step forward often leads to control of the fourth and fifth shots. And once your team establishes rhythm, your opponent is playing catch-up.

Conclusion
In recreational pickleball, the return of serve is one of the most underused weapons. When it’s weak, it opens the door for the serving team to take over the rally. But when it’s deep, deliberate, and followed by smart movement, it keeps the advantage where it belongs—with the returners.

Many players spend hours perfecting their third shot drop or their volley technique. But those skills never get used if the return gives the point away too soon. Fix the return, and you fix the foundation of your game.