Most players think of the return of serve as a simple job: get it in and rush to the kitchen. That is a good starting point, but if you want to edge toward 4.0, your returns can do a lot more than just keep the rally alive.

A smart return does two things at once. It buys you time to get to the line, and it scripts what kind of third shot you are likely to see. When you choose your return on purpose, the first three or four balls of every rally feel less random and much easier to manage.

Why Your Return Shapes The Whole Rally

After the serve, the returning team is actually in the better position. You and your partner can get to the kitchen line first, which means you should control more points than you think.

But that only happens if your return gives you time to move forward and forces the serving team to hit a tougher third shot. A short, floaty return that lands near the service line does the opposite: it brings the server forward, gives them choices, and puts you under pressure.

These four returns are not tricks. They are reliable shapes you can use on purpose to make the third shot more predictable.

Return 1: The Deep Looper

This is your bread-and-butter return. High, deep, and simple.

What it does:

– Pushes the server well behind the baseline.

– Gives you extra time to reach the kitchen line.

– Forces them to hit their third while moving forward from a deeper position.

Keys to the deep looper:

– Aim for deep middle or deep to the weaker side, with a big, safe target. Cross-court deep middle is often the safest default unless you have a specific weakness you are targeting down the line.

– Add more height than you think you need so the ball lands near the baseline, not halfway.

– As soon as you make contact, start moving in instead of admiring the shot.

How it sets up the third shot: when the server is pushed back, their third shot has to travel farther. You get more time to read drive versus drop, and any mistake they make tends to show up earlier in the ball’s flight.

Return 2: The Backhand Jam

Some opponents hate hitting backhands, especially when the ball is near their body line. The backhand jam aims your return right into that discomfort zone.

What it does:

– Forces the server to decide between an awkward backhand and a cramped inside-out forehand.

– Makes it harder for them to swing freely or generate topspin.

– Often produces a shorter, softer third shot you can attack from the line.

Keys to the backhand jam:

– Step into the return so you are not just poking it back.

– Aim at hip height on their weaker side, not at their shoelaces.

– Favor this pattern when the server stands close to the middle and clearly protects their forehand.

How it sets up the third shot: a jammed player rarely hits their best third shot. You are more likely to see a pop-up or a short ball that gives you a clean look at a firm fourth shot.

Return 3: The Low Slice

A sliced return that stays low can be a nightmare for players who like to drive. Instead of giving them a waist-high ball to rip, you send back something that skids at their feet.

What it does:

– Keeps the ball low through the bounce so they have to swing up just to clear the net.

– Punishes servers who stand very close to the baseline and expect an easy waist-high contact.

– Forces them to lift the ball on the third, which makes it easier for you to read and block.

Keys to the low slice:

– Use a continental or slightly backhand-style grip that feels comfortable for carving the ball.

– Start your paddle a little higher and slice down and through the back of the ball, not straight across.

– Aim more toward the middle or body than the sideline; the spin already makes it tricky to handle.

If slice feels awkward, a simple, flatter low return with the same height and target can still do the job. The key is keeping it low through the bounce.

How it sets up the third shot: a third hit up from a low, skidding ball tends to float or land short. Floaters become attackable balls at your chest or shoulders. Short shots are easier to counter-drop back into the kitchen.

Return 4: The Short Pull-In

This one is a change-up, not your everyday return. Instead of pushing the server back, you deliberately pull them forward into no man’s land.

What it does:

– Drags the server into the awkward halfway space between the baseline and the kitchen.

– Forces them to hit a third shot from mid court, often off balance.

– Breaks the rhythm of players who like to camp deep and swing big.

Keys to the short pull-in:

– Use it sparingly, as a surprise when someone gets comfortable camping far behind the baseline.

– Land the ball closer to the service line on their weaker side, with enough pace that they cannot easily attack off the bounce.

If you miss, miss a little deeper rather than short and high. A short, sitting ball at the service line is the one version of this that helps the server.

How it sets up the third shot: a third from mid court is often either too soft or too high. Too soft and it sits up in the kitchen for you. Too high and you or your partner can roll or punch it down at their feet.

Reading Opponents To Choose Your Return

You do not have to guess which return to use. Watch the server during warm-up and the first few games.

Notice:

– Do they camp deep and love to rip drives? The low slice or short pull-in can bother them.

– Do they clearly avoid backhands? The backhand jam will make them uncomfortable fast.

– Do they struggle when moving forward into the court? A well-timed short pull-in exposes that weakness.

– Do they look nervous when hitting from way behind the baseline? The deep looper will stretch them further.

Your goal is not to show off every return you know. It is to find one or two that consistently produce third shots you like to see.

A Simple Drill: Choose Your Return

You can practice return variety without keeping score or overthinking in real games.

Setup:

– One player serves repeatedly from the same side.

– The other stands in the usual return position and cycles through different return types.

How it works:

– Before each serve, quietly decide which return you are going to hit: deep looper, backhand jam, low slice, or short pull-in.

– Call it to yourself, then commit to that shape and target once the serve comes.

– After 10 to 12 balls of one type, switch to another and notice how it changes the feel of the third shot you face.

Advanced version: Let the server call which return they want to face (“deep,” “jam,” “slice,” or “short”). This forces you to execute each option on command, not just when it feels easy.

The goal is not tricking your partner. It is learning that your returns are tools, not just reactions. Each one sets up a specific kind of third and fourth shot that you can start to anticipate instead of just surviving.

Once you get comfortable with these four returns, you will notice that rallies feel less chaotic. Your third shots and fourth shots become easier, not because your strokes magically improved, but because your returns are finally doing half the work for you.