How to Get to the Kitchen Line: Pickleball player James Ignatowich shares tips for beating bangers and getting to the kitchen line in his latest lesson. In this video, he explains how to buy yourself extra time and smoothly move up to the kitchen line when playing against opponents who rip the ball.
The key to getting to the kitchen line without rushing or struggling is hitting a high crosscourt return. Ignatowich recommends going for a lofted return that travels high above the net, giving you more time to approach the kitchen. This return stays in the air longer, which means you have more time to get in position.
The Importance of the High Crosscourt Return
By going high and crosscourt, you utilize the extra space in the court’s geometry, allowing the ball to travel further.
Ignatowich explains that by hitting the return a bit higher—around five or six feet over the net—players can delay the opponent’s reaction time and create an easier opportunity to get closer to the kitchen line.
“If you can execute that high, deep crosscourt return, you’re going to have a ton of time to get to the kitchen. You can practically jog your way into position.” – (james Ignatowich)
The Risk of High Returns
Some players worry that hitting the ball too high might leave it vulnerable for a hard return from their opponent. However, James Ignatowich believes that a high return is often better than a flat one.
“The higher the return, the more likely it is to travel deeper, giving you more time to get into position before your opponent strikes.” – (Ignatowich)
Even if a higher ball bounces slightly higher, it won’t rise above the player’s waist height, reducing the chance of an easy counterattack. Ignatowich also notes that by positioning yourself closer to the kitchen line, you’ll be in a better spot to handle even powerful returns from opponents.
Mastering the Transition Zone
One of the biggest challenges in pickleball is the transition from the baseline to the kitchen line, especially when facing aggressive bangers.
Ignatowich’s advice helps players control this transition, ensuring they can maintain a strong position near the kitchen line, where they can take advantage of volleys and control the point.
In the long run, players who consistently hit high, deep crosscourt returns will win more exchanges against opponents who hit from the baseline. Ignatowich believes this strategy, when executed well, will lead to more success during intense games.
By focusing on your positioning and return technique, you can shift the game in your favor, even when facing fast, hard-hitting players.
News in Brief: How to Get to the Kitchen Line
James Ignatowich shares a pickleball tip for beating aggressive bangers by hitting a high, deep crosscourt return. This strategy gives players more time to approach the kitchen line and avoid rushed movements.
Ignatowich explains that this approach reduces the risk of counterattacks while helping players control the transition from the baseline to the kitchen line.
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