Remember to start in Tennis Ready, which is the proper ready position when you are at the baseline to receive the serve. As a reminder, Tennis Ready consists of the following:

1. Feet shoulder width apart;

2. Knees bent and your weight on the balls of your feet;

3. Paddle facing forward or facing 12 o’clock because the majority of shots that you want to hit from the baseline are forehands, as forehands are usually a strong shot than backhands for most players; and

4. Paddle forward and paddle head up.

In terms of where to stand when receiving a serve, a neutral starting point would be just beyond the baseline in the middle of your half of the pickleball court (in other words, with about two or three feet of space between the sideline and your body). If your opponent has a strong serve, you may consider taking another step back behind the baseline in order to give yourself a bit more time to react to the serve.

Most players have a stronger forehand drive than a backhand drive. As a result, you will probably want to hit most return of serves with your forehand (rather than your backhand). If a serve is hit to your backhand, try to run around the serve and hit the serve with your forehand. If the serve to your backhand is too difficult to get around with your feet, go ahead and hit a backhand return of serve, rather than forcing a forehand.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start in Tennis Ready when preparing for your return of serve.

2. Position yourself just beyond the baseline, about to two or three feet from the sideline.

3. Try hitting most return of serves with your stronger side, which will probably be a forehand.