Return Pickleball Serves Like a Pro by Using the 3 T’s! Target, Technique, and Timing!

[@edjupickleball]

Hey Zane! Love this video! You’re such a great teacher and I’ve learned a lot from your videos. At 6:26 when you’re hitting your returns, I noticed it looks like you’re hitting topspin’s (judging from the C motion of your paddle and hitting low to high) Could you elaborate when you said earlier on to not hit top spin, but try to hit flat? Do you hit topspin only when you have time and confidence- or do you deliberately always try to hit flat returns? Thanks!

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Hey Davis! That is a really good question. I should have clarified by saying that I'm not trying to hit an aggressive amount of topspin. Natrually if I swing from behind the ball with a little bit of a low to high motion, I'll have a bit of topspin. I can get much, much more topspin, but choose not to. So that's a good clarifying point: I'm not trying to get tons of topspin, but some may happen naturally!

[@TeeDeeDubya]

“Fake news.” 😂. Your videos are my favorite! All great tips!

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Leggoooo

[@DarrenCorreaDC]

This is a great video. Already seen a big improvement in my returns, depth and approach to the kitchen using this approach. Thank You.

[@mkuschmusic2]

Thank You! Showing settings on Lobster are a great help to get you in the ballpark for setup.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Let's gooo!

[@keralajoe]

Great video and instruction. I've just really started and this has really helped.

[@markmaffei1127]

Great instruction Zane!!

[@gww23]

How would you handle very low serves with little bounce? I play a lot of games where about all you can do on some of these serves is try to scoop the ball up and hope to get over the net. This goes for both deep and short serves trying to move to a ball that is maybe mid calf and get a deep return.

[@samo81]

Haven’t watched the service return technique video yet, but the reason so many are told to plant their feet on the return is because they don’t have right footwork to “run” through the return. The intro to pickleball class I took last fall had several beginners that didn’t have a strong a strong athletic background that couldn’t hit a return while running. The coach would tell them to plant their feet and they would instantly improve their returns. It’s sound advice to those struggling with the return.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I encourage you to watch this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/porEZ3mwm8p2fsU

[@samo81]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleball great video, I still stand by comment of targeting beginners with the plant your feet advice. Solidifying good swing mechanics first is needed before learning how to move through a shot. I am new to pickleball, but I have a strong athletic background that has allowed me to already mimic the technique you describe in the linked video. 👍🏻

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Nice!@@samo81

[@AJ-pc8cl]

What to do when I return serve and get right up to the kitchen and then my opponent lobs me? I usually can't reverse in time to intercept the lob. Please let me know if there is a way to return serve which is more "lob resistant", i.e. makes it more difficult for the opponent to lob. Thanks.

[@vladpredescu9846]

Your return has a lot of top spin lol

[@Firesong4ng]

I was going to say the same thing :)

[@owenallenaz]

I think the diff is that he's not trying to explicitly brush and spin, but rather strike through in a low to high motion which will naturally create spin, especially off a spin paddle. Different than say a top-spin dink where people do a different stroke mechanic, rolling their wrist over, explicitly to really spin it up. If you roll your wrist over while trying to hit hard... it's not gonna work well.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I should have clarified by saying that I'm not trying to hit an aggressive amount of topspin. Natrually if I swing from behind the ball with a little bit of a low to high motion, I'll have a bit of topspin. I can get much, much more topspin, but choose not to.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Yes, good clarification!@@owenallenaz

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Yes, exactly@@frankfurter7260

[@EsseQuamVideriSe7en]

I really like how this simplifies the return for me. I miss too often trying to do too much. No spin right back at the server. Done.

[@conork8177]

I spin on a lot of my returns because it is more natural to me, and the ball floats so it gives me additional time to get to the kitchen line.

[@151battousai]

This works at lower levels but at higher levels, the more slice you give on a return any higher level player with a good forehand will be able to put a lot of top spin on those slice balls. I love when someone returns with a ton of slice since I can rip a top spin forehand.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Higher level players will use your slice against you!

[@jhansen5062]

​@@ZaneNavratilPickleball makes sense.... But curious about very strong slicing/spinning returns that hit low and stay low near baseline? Pros have no issue with that type of shot?

[@conork8177]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleballcan you elaborate? If they have to let the service return bounce, and my slice shot hits near the backline (consistently), I have bought myself enough time to establish at the kitchen line, while giving my side a 2 man advantage at the kitchen. Not that a pro couldn't use any shot against someone, I am just trying to figure out how they are in an advantageous position with both of their players standing at the baseline. They either have to hit a (probably heavy topspin) drive or drop the ball into the kitchen, before they make their approach.

[@conork8177]

@@151battousai a topspin (drive) 3rd shot is the expected, highly predictable, 3rd shot. The point being, the float provided me enough time to establish myself at the kitchen line, expecting it...while the opposing side would either be debating moving forward, or stuck at the baseline (when the 4th shot comes). Seems like the main way for the opposition to combat 2 established opponents at the kitchen like would be a 3rd shot drop.

[@danielgreenberg3906]

I chip and charge, being a tennis player, this is my natural response to serve and as Conork stated below, the ball floats giving me more time to get to kitchen... this is a consistent shot for me... and another thing, the slice spin give a lot of 3.5 players (majority of pickleball players) fits, and the ball regularly is hit into the net by opponents trying to put topspin on a ball already spinning away from them... causes the ball to go down once it hits paddle.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

You might want to check this video out if your slice returns stop working against higher level players! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anLFeJihqs-tas0

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

The SABR wasn't a chip though! It was a "bump" just like we're talking about here!@@frankfurter7260

[@wolf-xf6hf]

Hey zane odd question but I’ve been seeing from different sources online that your paddle isnt thermoformed and that it is thermoformed and I was wondering if you could clear that up as I was thinking about getting it

[@jacobstegman6602]

Do you use continental or Eastern grip for forehand returns?

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I'm using continental usually. Eastern is fine as well!

[@btreese7]

I would love to know what makes socks pickleball specific.

Great tips, thank you! Can I ask you a question please: do you change grips between your forhand and backhand drives? Is your volley/dinking grip changes? Like you get an easy popup on you backhand, would you change grip to put a decent topspin onto it?

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

From the baseline, I change grips. At the kitchen, I seldom change grips, but there are times to. Like hitting the tomahawk

@@ZaneNavratilPickleball thank you 😊 🙏

[@jazjablonski407]

Sorry to be so uninformed but what is a tomahawk?

@jazjablonski407 it's when you hit a forehand topspin volley shoot on your backhand side

[@jazjablonski407]

@ Thanks

[@ibsnipingyou]

Lefty here: On service returns should I work on a backhand as well or should I be able to run around most if not all serves?

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

On the right side, you should use your backhand and on the left side you should use your forehand!

[@TD_pb]

So shameless with the ads 😂😂😂. I love it

[@chongqinghotpot]

There is actually a lot of topspin on Zim’s returns.

[@wulfdog19]

Yeah totally

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I should have clarified by saying that I'm not trying to hit an aggressive amount of topspin. Natrually if I swing from behind the ball with a little bit of a low to high motion, I'll have a bit of topspin. I can get much, much more topspin, but choose not to.

[@MrZonaman]

Zane, thanks for the great video. I will definitely try this tips the next time I play. Do you recommend the Lobster? I am looking at possibly purchasing the Lobster (The pickle) and would this be sufficient? I looked at a few others like Ernie, Spinshot and others but I don't want to spend $2000.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I definitely enjoy the lobster. The Pickle is enough for my needs! For a bit more, you can get the Pickle 2 which can oscilate between two targets! Either of those are definitely good!

[@BruceAChristie]

Great settlement on the question of to plant or not to plant. I accept your choice and add that I will do what I can to avoid plantar warts. 🤓

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Hahahah

[@nilkamals]

Just ordered a Zane paddle. Hope I don't get too much unintentional spin with it on my flat returns.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Lmao you would really hate to see it!

[@user-wh1cv5vh5n]

Where did you film this?

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Picklemall Arizona!

[@Rockattack1234]

Where are you generally returning if the serving team is stacking and the server is moving to the position straight in front of you? Are you still returning cross-court to the server’s partner?

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

There are a lot of different cases here, but with all things being equal, I'm generally going to return to where the serve was hit from.

[@jjjjpppp123]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@BruceAChristie]

Your math is sound on the 48-foot diagonal. 20 squared plus 44 squared equals 2336. The square root of 2336 is 48.3. 🦅

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

My man

[@thapickleball7739]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleball Given your professional background, gotta ask: was it a calculator or did the SQRT() function get the call in a spreadsheet? #inquiringMinds

[@tricia3114]

Great stuff.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Thank you!

[@robedwards6926]

Hi, Zane I just purchased your paddle. I wanted your Orlando Squeeze version but unfortunately the website said it was out of stock 😢 They haven't mailed it yet, can you help a pickleball brother out? 😁

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Sorry dude, but I don't have any of the orange!

[@robedwards6926]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleballYou broke my heart 💔 😭

[@utikahk4538]

Deklebar serve is illegal in a couple of different ways imo. I'm still pretty new to the game, they let you serve this way in pro play?

[@russbilderback]

I thought you couldn't toss the ball up in the air to serve? He tosses it Way up. I thought that was illegal.

[@utikahk4538]

@@russbilderback Yea, there is no way this is legal.

[@jbmedia8882]

Stop and hit is sorcery ! 😂

[@Tesujiful]

I didn't see a single backhand return. It would be nice to see how to run through a two-handed backhand return of serve.

[@collectionproperties]

What shoes are you wearing in this video?!

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Haha those are Ons! Not pickleball shoes. I normally wear Babolat Mach 1s to play!

[@collectionproperties]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleball thanks brother

[@thapickleball7739]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleball Good call. The On Clouds they're very comfy but the Cloud soles don't hold up at all to the sliding in pickleball on outdoor surfaces IME

[@jimramsey1312]

Is Thorlo the fourth T? ;)

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Exactly haha

[@slimpickinses]

You weren't a math major at Whitewater were you :)😂😂😂

[@kevinwill8542]

great channel

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Thank you!

[@jordanmossprojects]

Torn between the Lobster Pickle and Pickle 2... Which one do you recommend? Of course... Using Zane5 at checkout either way ;)

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

If you want to incorporate a lot of movement into your drilling, I'd go with the Pickle 2 for the two-line feature. If not, you're good with the Pickle!

[@jordanmossprojects]

@@ZaneNavratilPickleball great point! Stroke mechanics is my #1 priority so Lobster Pickle is on the way!! Thanks for the help and great videos!

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Let's gooooo!@@jordanmossprojects

[@ggsd4903]

Pickleball socks.... so thats why my drops aren't hitting lol

[@mellowfellow6816]

This is really a video for advanced players. You mentioned a lot of concepts and ideas that could have done with further explanation to benefit a lesser player such as myself (about 1 year casual experience as work allows). For example, you mention "more arc", but you don't explain any further. Thanks anyway.

[@ElleElle1111]

Fake news. Hahaha ha love it ❣️

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Hehehe

[@gdog2330]

But You are using topspin on those returns!

[@hdc2766]

You said ‘no top spin on the returns’ and then proceed to hit every one with top spin?

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I should have clarified by saying that I'm not trying to hit an aggressive amount of topspin. Natrually if I swing from behind the ball with a little bit of a low to high motion, I'll have a bit of topspin. I can get much, much more topspin, but choose not to.

[@scottlewis1479]

If you can master the 3t's its more like you can prevent the other team from scoring a lot of pickleball points. Lol

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Yeah that's fair lol

[@mannyperez5267]

You lied, you’re hitting it with topspin bro

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

I should have clarified by saying that I'm not trying to hit an aggressive amount of topspin. Natrually if I swing from behind the ball with a little bit of a low to high motion, I'll have a bit of topspin. I can get much, much more topspin, but choose not to.

[@mannyperez5267]

So it’s not literally flat since coming from tennis you have a natural low to high swing that brushes up the ball to produce a topspin. I am like that. It is my default swing and hitting it flat would be unnatural for me. But I do get your point. Just hit it deep as possible to pin the server back with whatever shot you can is how I understand your take in this specific lesson.

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

Deep and back to the server without the intention of tons of spin!@@mannyperez5267

[@mannyperez5267]

👍🏼you’re cool, keep it up! Have a great 2024!

[@ZaneNavratilPickleball]

@@mannyperez5267 thanks my guy!

[@Diegocurt73]

Great tip, you debunked the whole stop and hit thing. Transistioning from tennis I couldn’t believe the stop and hit thing was being taught while saying never run through the ball while hitting the ball. Uh no, that is old school teaching probably done away with 30 years ago. Couldn’t believe it was being taught in pickleball to always stop and hit. It is definitely situational but the bottom line is hitting while moving through the ball is a PRACTICED SHOT. And it is a shot!! It is not something you avoid but something to be able to do as part of your game play.😮

[@brettm8970]

Deklebar has an illegal serve. It is above his waste. Sorry deklebar😢

[@BenjieSarza]

Waist

[@scottdavis3955]

It's not illegal at all lol. It can be above the waist, it can't be above the NAVEL

[@ralph7077]

😅

[@seanwbailey]

You allowed all the way to your belly button.