Pickleball Doubles Return Strategy: Pickleball coach Linda Thompson is helping players improve their doubles return of serve strategy. In a recent lesson, she explained where to hit the return, why it matters, and how it changes the rest of the point. Her tips focus on hitting smart, high-percentage shots that create pressure and give partners more chances to attack.
Why the Return Matters
Linda Thompson explained that the return of serve isn’t just about getting the ball back—it’s about control. A strong return puts pressure on opponents and sets up the rest of the point.
“All right, so is there a strategy to your return or is it just getting the ball back? Obviously, the answer is yes,” said Linda Thompson. “There’s a strategy to where you want to hit your returns just like where you hit your serves.”
She pointed out that a short or crosscourt return often gives opponents more options, including angles and aggressive attacks. “I don’t want my return to be short. I don’t want my return to be crosscourt,” she said.
Best Shot: Down the Line and Deep
The most effective return, according to Linda Thompson, is a deep shot down the line, especially to the opponent’s backhand. She said this limits their angles and gives her partner a chance to move up and help.
“I went down the line and my partner could have smashed that ball, but she didn’t move,” said Linda Thompson. “Anytime I get an effective down-the-line return…my partner should be squeezing the middle.”
She showed how this play allows her partner to attack and disrupt the other team. “Boom! So she’s right there to attack that ball,” said Linda Thompson. “That’s a very beneficial shot to hit.”
Adjusting Based on Opponents
Linda Thompson explained that players need to change their strategy depending on who they’re playing. If the opponent has a strong backhand, the return should be aimed more toward the middle to take away angles.
“If that person might have shown that they had a really good backhand, I would still go down the line, but I would go more middle,” she said.
She also pointed out that when facing strong male players in mixed doubles, it’s better to return to them directly. “If he’s a stronger player, that’s more reason why I’m going to return to him,” said Linda Thompson. “I want to keep him back as long as possible.”
Deep and Targeted Wins the Rally
No matter the match setup, Linda Thompson’s main goal is to return deep to the opponent’s backhand. This makes it harder for them to attack and buys time for the returner to move forward.
“He had a good backhand. I’m going to go to his backhand,” she said. “That’s the return I’m trying to hit every time… it’s deep. Pretty sure he’s not going to be able to hit a winner on me.”
By placing the return smartly and thinking ahead, Linda Thompson shows how players can turn defense into offense, even before the rally gets going.
News in Brief: Pickleball Doubles Return Strategy
Pickleball coach Linda Thompson shares key tips on where to hit the return of serve in doubles play. She recommends deep shots down the line, especially to the backhand side, to control the rally. Her advice helps players of all levels improve their game and support their partners on the court.
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