Pickleball Return Drill Technique: Returning strong serves is one of the toughest parts of pickleball. To help players improve, Coach Dominic Catalano from the Flying Pickle Academy shared a drill that teaches how to practice returning powerful serves, even if your practice partner doesn’t have one.
Focus on the Feed
The drill starts with a partner feeding the ball with pace. Coach Dominic Catalano explained that the quality of the feed is what makes the practice realistic. A low and fast feed is best because it mimics the speed of a big serve. High or soft feeds don’t prepare players for real match conditions.
Keep the Swing Short
Big serves give players less time to react, so long backswings don’t work. Players should stay in an athletic stance, react quickly, and hit with a short and controlled swing. As Catalano noted, the most important thing is simply getting the return back into play.
Use Good Footwork
Susanna, who practiced the drill, emphasized footwork: standing too far behind the baseline often makes returns weaker. Instead, stepping closer and even short-hopping the ball as it rises can help take away the server’s advantage. Players should stay open and make contact in front to avoid errors.
Position Realistically
Catalano also explained why the feeder should stand crosscourt and closer to the baseline. This angle best represents what players will face during matches. It ensures the drill feels like a real return rather than a simple feed.
Key Takeaways
Pickleball is getting faster, and strong serves are becoming more common. By practicing with fast, low feeds, keeping swings compact, using smart footwork, and short-hopping when needed, players can prepare for these challenges. As Catalano said, drills like this help improve timing and form when facing tough serves.
News in Brief: Pickleball Return Drill Technique
Coach Dominic Catalano shared a return drill at the Flying Pickle Academy to help players handle fast serves. The tips include feeding the ball with pace, keeping swings short, using good footwork, and standing closer to the baseline. The drill prepares players for the speed of modern pickleball.
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