After you hit your serve, revert to the proper ready position, which should be Tennis Ready at the baseline looking to hit your third shot. 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; and

4. Paddle forward and paddle head up.

Keep your weight on your toes, stay in Tennis Ready, and perform a split step right before your opponents strike the return of serve.

Remember that the sport of pickleball has the 2-bounce or 3-hit rule. In other words, as the serving team, you must let the return of serve bounce before you can strike the pickleball. As a result, after your serve, stay back near the baseline. It will do you no good to run in to the court after your serve. Serve the pickleball and then stay back at the baseline in Tennis Ready and prepare for your third shot!

Key Takeaways:

1. Revert to Tennis Ready near the baseline after you or your partner serve the pickleball.

2. Remember to split step right before your opponents strike the return of serve, and remember to let the return of serve bounce before hitting the third shot in a rally.