Getting to the net is vital — but at what cost?

Let's say you're the returning team, in reception formation with one partner up close to the NVZ line and the other ready to receive the serve.

First, decide: are you, the receiving player, mobile and quick-footed, or are you slower, with more limited mobility?

Let's look at the fleet-footed player first. They have the ability to hit a sharp, hard drive to any location of choice and can get to the NVZ line quickly, before the serving team has a chance to set and return their third shot. This is great — if the returning player can get set and in line with their partner at the NVZ line, ready for the return drop or hard hit from the now-offensive attacking team.

BUT — in the second case, if the returner is less mobile and slower-footed, their hard, driving return to the waiting serving team will come back just as quickly, leaving a GAP between them and the net. This gap can be the black hole of disaster. A well-placed drop shot can cause havoc: the returning player's partner may have to poach more than expected to cover the drop, leaving their own sideline vulnerable to attack — or the slower returner will be caught on the move, paddle low, trying to scoop the ball up. That scoop is most likely a poor-percentage shot, causing the ball to float or rise higher than a well-placed dink or lob — leaving it up for a smash back at the receiving team.

Now let's look at the slower, less mobile returner. Remember: the harder they return the ball to the serving team, the less time they'll have to get to the NVZ line themselves. So the serving team places a drop shot in the kitchen, and our slow-footed player — still trying to reach the NVZ line — has created that same black hole. Right?

So what can they do to stop this from happening? Think: I move slow, so I'll make them wait for me. Return the ball with a slower, semi-lofted deep shot to a backhand placement, or to the safe middle — Zone D8 of the backcourt, Zone A, also known as the "red zone." They have to wait for the bounce, don't they? While they're waiting for that return bounce to set up their third shot, you — the slower-moving player — have more time to get to the NVZ line, set, and be ready for their best shot.

Why make things more difficult? Statistics and percentages tell us this is the better option — not just for the slower-moving player, but for the fleet-footed player as well. Make the other team wait for their third-shot attack. That wait time may just rush them into a poor shot location.

You have the ultimate decision in play. Fast or slow, low or high — whatever you choose, remember: you're choosing for your team.

Make your returns with purposeful placement, direction, speed, and loft, to best benefit your skills as well as your partner's. You'll get to the net either way — but how do you plan on doing it? With an out-of-control, running-into-the-fire mentality, or with a controlled, purposeful plan of action, ready to put away or set up the fourth shot?

Keep it simple and play it smart. Try it next time for a while, and add new weapons and strategies to your pickleball game.

​Service Returns Fast or Slow?

Keep your returns low over the net if your intention is to drive it to the baseline and keep your opponents off the net. Just remember: the quicker they get the ball back, the faster it may come back to you as well. In general, the lower you place your shots over the net, the less angle your opponent has to work with, and the harder it may be for them to hit with power — if a hard-driven third shot, rather than a drop shot, is their intention.

Now think about this: if you hit it hard and rush the net, they have choices. They can drop the ball to get to the net themselves, or, as you're rushing to match your partner's position, they can lob you and push you back. They always have the option to drive it as well. Know your opponent and their skill set. And if their choice is to drive it back at you, keep in mind that beginner and intermediate players commonly drift toward the center line, which opens up the sideline for a direct drive. So watch out — now what will you do?

An alternative to this approach is a soft, lofted lob return. In this case, you'll want to place the ball as close to the baseline as possible. If you're slow getting to the net after your service return, this slower-paced lob is your best setup shot. They have to wait for it to come down anyway — so why not use that time?

Returning the ball fast means you have to work fast, if you have the skill and speed to keep up. Returning it at a slower pace, with a deeper baseline shot, gives you time to get to the NVZ line.

Always remember: keep your paddle up and ready as you move forward to the line, and stay balanced with your partner in your court position. Make your choice and stick with it — don't get caught changing your mind mid-stroke.

Journaling Game and Practice Sessions

Journaling is a great way to monitor your progress on your pickleball journey. Many top athletes across various sports keep a journal. Some call it a diary, but whatever you want to call it, you can use it to log your feelings about how you played, statistics on your performance, motivational thoughts, and technical skills or goals you've accomplished. Journal writing has many benefits — from organizing your life and working through challenges, to setting life and pickleball goals, to simply clearing your head of the junk we all carry around.

Journals are personal — they're you. Whether you use a paper journal, an app, a blog, or a word processor, keeping a record of your thoughts, fears, dreams, or whatever else is on your mind can help clear your head and let you move forward more freely. Decluttering your surroundings, as well as your mind, makes room for you to excel, expand, and explore more of the world around you.

Here's an interesting site — nothing to do with pickleball, but it's full of ideas for clearing out your space and simplifying your life so you can achieve your goals.

Start journaling today with your own personal journal.

Order yours today, get your game on track, and start tracking your progress, your play, and your thoughts about the game.

Start Journaling TODAY!