I'm close to 6'5" tall and I'm not a spring chicken. My technique is to wait for the serve in a low crouch, so that I can barely see the contact point of the ball over the top of the net cord. This allows me to assess spin and depth far sooner, using the net cord as a visual aid. It's a very deep crouch and looks a bit weird for such a tall guy, but I have great results with this. I could be a lot lazier with lower level opponents, but I prefer to maintain this technique for the rare opponent with a vicious service game, where I really need it. I stand with one foot slightly ahead of the other foot, in case I have to bolt for a short serve that lands barely past the kitchen line-usually the outside corner, sometimes with also a spin that kicks to the outside. Even with a lightning first step, it's quite the race to get to a ball that lands not much past the NVL, right on the outside line, then also kicks further sideways, off court, with also less than a normal bounce.
I'm roughly a 3.75 and my return is probably my strongest skill. When the serve is hard and deep, to either corner, I can usually kick it back to within 2 feet of the opponent's baseline, which they don't like. By the midpoint of the game, they have usually switched to serving me short, giving me a fast sprint to the NVL. I can't hit the ball as consistently to the same depth on the run to a short ball. The video I actually need is how to better attack short serves that only go to midcourt.
YUP! I can identify with that. There are times when I watch the ball ALL the way to the paddle and still miss; sometimes I don't, and I hit it better. So many variables to this game. . . . . . . . ....
Neither returns by BJ and ALW, used as examples in the first 5 minutes, were very deep. I believe returns deep (within 3 feet of base line, closer the better) with pace is one of the best shots to have in your toolbox.
Thanks for the great video and I appreciate that your wife is willing to share as well! How deep do you see the pros returning on average in your analyses? There are so many who focus on a deep return (I know the advantages of this), but it is not always possible for a variety of reasons. I know in your recent drill video you mention you aim for the back 1/3 of the court - I like this approach as I do see some players strive so much to hit deep returns that they go out. Every time that happens it is obviously a lost point - so I think that should be avoided at all cost. With your statistical analyses in mind - how would you order the importance of return properties - depth, height, speed, spin, placement? For example - should the focus be on depth (as close to backline as possible without going out), height (low returns are typically harder to complete a 3rd shot drive/drop/drip, but of course the lower the return - the more risk of hitting the net & also lower returns are generally faster leaving less time to get to the kitchen), speed (faster returns are IMO much harder to drop), spin (many suggest topspin is the best especially to make a topspin 3rd shot drive more difficult), or placement (targeting the backhand or down the middle, or weakest player, etc.)? I know the pros would say all 5 lol, but us mere mortals in general have to pick 1-2 things to focus on at least until we improve. As I advance, the serves become much more difficult to handle - many hit deep fast serves with spin. At this point - there is no way I can do all the things mentioned - frankly there are times I am just happy to have returned it and kept it in play. BUT - I do think in those moments it would help me to at least try to focus on 1 (or maybe) 2 things. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Great thoughts! What I share is purely based on my personal experience and analysis, I acknowledge that there’s a very good chance that it’s ‘wrong’, priority of the return for me: 1. Depth (but not pushing it to the extreme, just back 1/3 if the court), this to me is a minimum requirement for returns. 2. Placement, this dictates who on the other team is going to take the 3rd shot and also where that person is taking 3rd shot from, high impact to your game, like you said you can target specific players if your placement is good. 3. Height, this buys you time get to kitchen 4. Spin, makes it harder for players make the 3rd shot
There were a few good take aways in this. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. This did a great job of discussing the first part of the return process though it really was discussing what most of us fail at many times a game. Feet positioning, ready position and short backswing should be on the menu for almost every shot, if not all. A short backswing is going to help with fast hands at the nvz as well once there. As I read below, I also hoped this went into the 2nd part of the return as well. The are a few better tactics, especially for newer players or players looking for more consistency. Just best practices would include hitting to the center line in the back 25% of the return court. Ideally, you would hit it with enough arc to get to the nvz with your partner. However, if playing bangers, do be ready to defend a hard drive with that type of return. Another option is a deeper top spin return and using a split step in the transition zone when your opponent is making their contact.
Next video is where to target for return. I usually return to the server but if the partner is weaker then I will return to the partner. Maybe you have others points since you study the pros so much?😅
That’s definitely one strategy! I think where you target your returns depends on a lot of things though, I.e how your opponents are stacking, are they right handed or left handed, which player from the opposing team you wanna keep back, and yes how you wanna play the point out with your partner
The biggest key( in my opinion is early prep) at around the 3:00 mark on Ben’s return he has the full unit turn before the ball bounces on his side and recognizes its a forehand before the servers ball crosses the net. He is also tracking the ball with his free hand. Back in the ancient days we would have a drill that we had to yell out forehand or backhand before the ball crossed the net. Doing that, it’s surprising how much time you have to get ready. It’s harder to see on her BH, but on her FH she is still bringing her paddle back after the ball bounces and it on the rise. She’s jammed and being hurried. You can certainly video the return and play back to see where her paddle and body position is BEFORE the ball bounces on her side
Thank you for sharing, I really like the idea of calling our forehand and backhand when you are returning, i think it’s a great wat train anticipation and preparation.
I noticed that Ben Johns return is more closed where he steps in with the front foot (left non-dominant foot) first prior to contact with the ball whereas Anna Leigh and the other pros loads up on their right dominant leg and as they make contact lunge and follows through with the front left non-dominant foot. Which do you recommend?
It really depends on each shot I think, Ben also does open stance as well if he gets pushed wide, in an ideal scenario, my personal view is to load up the dominant foot, right after you make contact you lunge through so you get the forward momentum that helps you to get to the kitchen faster.
@@superdupr.pickleball thanks, if doing it the way you recommend and that most pros do, should the dominant foot you are loading up on be in front of the non -dominant foot?
Non dominant in the front, initially body weight loaded to back foot (dom), as you swing through the ball, you push your body using back foot, then weight transfers to front foot.
Excellent analysis of the pros' returns. Ironically, Ben's and ALW's returns in your vid landed in the mid-court. Not their best work (LOL!), but all your observations remain valid, since the vast majority of their returns land deep🙃. Good video analysis.
On the point about hitting the ball with the tip of the paddle, i recently heard that players hit with the tip when they're trying to generate power similar to hitting a baseball with the end of the bat vs the middle. If you watch all the pro slow mos they all hit with the tip. Great video all around
Thank you. I would be interested to see if someone does a study to compare the power loss due to not hitting sweet spot vs hitting the ball with end of the paddle
Keep your eyes on the ball when the ball comes off your opponent’s paddle - helps your anticipation and gets your feet moving. Watch the ball into your hitting zone, it helps keep your head still. Relax and swing through the ball.
A few thoughts. Paddle prep (backswing) should be completed before the ball bounces, or by the time the ball bounces at the latest. See Patrick’s YT Short here: ua-cam.com/users/shortsGC_pHhWvQx4 Ball should be hit (when possible) AFTER the post-bounce apex, not at the apex. At the apex, the ball doesn’t grab the paddle as well (think of “weightless astronauts”). It starts to gain weight as it descends from that apex. Let the ball crest and hit it while it is on its downward trajectory. It will grab the paddle surface better. It will also be going slower at this point. 5:24 you mention ALW’s minimal body movement. Staying down on the shot (not lifting up) is good, but watch your replay again and focus on her head. It is essentially motionless. So her body has some motion but the head doesn’t. This allows for better focus on the ball. 10:11 Disagree. You wife did not need to take a big step forward. If she relaxed, let the ball come to her and hit it on its descent she would be more consistent and had less head movement. Players believe they have to move forward to hit balls early. The opposite is true. Relax, let the ball come to you and hit it while it is descending. Her swing was not too fast. The problem was the she was too high (not under the ball enough) and therefore didn’t get enough lift. If she’d stayed back and low and waited on the ball she would have had much better success. Her second shot, her backswing was NOT too big. People confuse this a lot thinking a big backswing isn’t good. I disagree and detail why here: ua-cam.com/video/KnZCRqh2FO0/v-deo.html Notice that her arm is bent while she hits the return. Bending the arm changes the distance from the shoulder to the paddle sweet spot. Keep the arm fully extended allows for swinging from the shoulder and keeps the paddle at a more consistent distance. And she doesn’t demonstrate much shoulder rotation. Notice how her paddle finishes high but over the wrong shoulder. It should finish over her left shoulder.
Excellent analysis of the players. I believe your wife will benefit from watching your thorough breakdown of the swings. She might get a little upset but I again believe she will over come it. Hopefully. Lol
Thank you for the kind feedback, glad you found this helpful! Haha yeah maybe she will be a little upset, hopefully it’s going to help her in the long run!
😂not upset about it, coz he does the same. But you are right, my swing is too much that my coach always said, maybe the player had big serve, so I was overdoing it
The return of serve is perhaps , if done correctly, the most impactfull shot in Pickle-Ball . It creates multiple advantages . It can keep your opponents pinned back on their heals at their baseline , making their 3rd. shot that more difficult for them , while , at the same time , allowing you to easily have enough time to establish yourself at the NVZ Line along side your partner . Once there , you are in highly advantaged position to receive & attack your opponents 3rd. shot ( which you already made more difficult for them ) and enable you remain at NVZ Line & continue to press and keep your opponents back at their baseline . No other shot can accomplish all that so easily !
No offense, but a 3.5 should have no problem getting a serve back in play. Maybe not the best in depth but unless it's a great serve they should get it back. I say she's 3.0.
Well it depends on how hard and deep the serve was hit, doesn’t it. I’m a 4.2 player and I usually have few problems with Service returns but today I played a 4.75 player and I could not return his serves. Doesn’t everybody know that it’s impossible to judge the speed of a shot from a video like this?
Great work & clever page name! Definitely subscribed! I just recently started using a high arcing deep lob return & have had great results with it even against much higher skill players than me. Since it has to bounce, it gives plenty of time to get to the kitchen & it seems to throw people off & distract them...especially bangers. Pretty sure it annoys them too 😂.
Thank you for tuning in and supporting this channel! Yeah that’s actually a legit tactic if you can keep it consistent, this sport is evolving and growing, keep experimenting with different things!
Appreciate the analysis. Watch your wife's eyes and face, she is not watching the ball as it contacts her paddle and keeps her eyes on where she returning it. That can lead to a lot of miss hits.
Thank you for the input, I think my eyes were on the contacting point, but my footwork and swing was not good enough, specifically that player had great serves, even my husband missed some too 😂usually I don’t miss returns in my games or won’t be more than two.
Gotcha on those being tough serves. If you watch top athletes, they generally have their head turned focusing on the contact point. Your eyes may be on the contact point but it appears your head is only partially turned. I'd suggest focusing on being more deliberate with your head, and not just your eyes. I think you will find it improves your returns. Watch your hubby's head, it may be that he can also benefit. Have fun!
Great analysis! Most of us are trying to "kill" the ball with a big swing during return which is an overdo and gains little benefit at this level. The foremost goal for return is to be consistently deep , creating difficulties for your opponent's 3rd shot and earning more time for us to get to the kitchen quickly. I need to practice my return too. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for the kind feedback, I agree with you that most of us at our level myself included are probably overdoing our return which actually makes our return inconsistent. I’m glad that you found this analysis helpful!
@@denniswei1983I agree, after the adjustment recently as Kobla said that just push the ball instead a big swing on it, getting much better and get to the kitchen very fast as well.
I like the content's structure & analysis. You should try to use shorter/ crisp and straight to the point sentences. Was almost falling asleep listening to you.
Ben Johns return.... EVERYONE does that. Not just him. Just that most people don't have the accuracy that he has and that is why he is at the top! Everyone moves right away to make space to hit the ball... come on. Everyone tries to hit the ball smack dead center... he just does it better. Think about it. WOW...
Really? Freedom of speech? Just you wait...lol! Boy, you got a lot to learn. Lol! Best advice to couples in pickleball, ssshhh, quietly,..ya... don't, yep, don't tell your wife. Lol!! Why? No two partners, are build same and each will be different when advancing in pickleball. Usually one will be stronger and another lagging due to time spent playing, drilling. Most get frustrated having to 'carry a slower partner' but due to being a couple, feels trap with little choice.
Once you realize the return is just to get you to the kitchen to put the next shot away. Your spouse thinks she is gonna hit a winner that makes her a loser. Get it deep and get it in is all that is required everytime.
Use my DISCOUNT codes to save you money:
linktr.ee/superdupr
I'm close to 6'5" tall and I'm not a spring chicken. My technique is to wait for the serve in a low crouch, so that I can barely see the contact point of the ball over the top of the net cord. This allows me to assess spin and depth far sooner, using the net cord as a visual aid.
It's a very deep crouch and looks a bit weird for such a tall guy, but I have great results with this. I could be a lot lazier with lower level opponents, but I prefer to maintain this technique for the rare opponent with a vicious service game, where I really need it.
I stand with one foot slightly ahead of the other foot, in case I have to bolt for a short serve that lands barely past the kitchen line-usually the outside corner, sometimes with also a spin that kicks to the outside. Even with a lightning first step, it's quite the race to get to a ball that lands not much past the NVL, right on the outside line, then also kicks further sideways, off court, with also less than a normal bounce.
Thx for sharing, crouch helps you to move faster
Best video I have seen! Love it!!!! Please make more!!!!
thank you for tuning in, be sure to check out of the other videos on my channel, appreciate your feedback!
I'm roughly a 3.75 and my return is probably my strongest skill. When the serve is hard and deep, to either corner, I can usually kick it back to within 2 feet of the opponent's baseline, which they don't like. By the midpoint of the game, they have usually switched to serving me short, giving me a fast sprint to the NVL. I can't hit the ball as consistently to the same depth on the run to a short ball.
The video I actually need is how to better attack short serves that only go to midcourt.
So glad I found your channel. Excellent
Thank you for watching and sharing your feedback!
I think one of the biggest things people over look is keeping their eye on the ball as they make contact on the return.
True and I can’t agree more, I do that myself too.
YUP! I can identify with that. There are times when I watch the ball ALL the way to the paddle and still miss; sometimes I don't, and I hit it better. So many variables to this game. . . . . . . . ....
@@kraka2oanIner
As a beginner, I agree! But the speed is SO intimidating! I feel rushed, and accuracy jumps out the window!
Could you retype your comment please. I looked away before finished reading. (sarcasm) 😄
Love your detail analysis and use of data to proof a point. What a fantastic job you're doing for the PB community!
Thank you for the kind feedback!
I like your channel a lot! Useful breakdown videos
Thank you for the kind feedback! Glad you found it useful!
Your breakdowns of stroke mechanics is masterful. Great job. I’m sure your wife is cool with your videos 😂
Thank you for the kind feedback, I’m very glad that you found this helpful. Haha, this was a risky video.
😂😂
Neither returns by BJ and ALW, used as examples in the first 5 minutes, were very deep. I believe returns deep (within 3 feet of base line, closer the better) with pace is one of the best shots to have in your toolbox.
Agree, return is the most important shot in pickleball in my opinion.
I like the detailed analysis and comparison to wife vs pro. I’ll be concentrating on my first 5 shots.
Thank you again!
An update : His wife saw this video. His funeral is arranged for next week 😜
Still alive! :D
😂
Thanks for the great video and I appreciate that your wife is willing to share as well! How deep do you see the pros returning on average in your analyses? There are so many who focus on a deep return (I know the advantages of this), but it is not always possible for a variety of reasons. I know in your recent drill video you mention you aim for the back 1/3 of the court - I like this approach as I do see some players strive so much to hit deep returns that they go out. Every time that happens it is obviously a lost point - so I think that should be avoided at all cost. With your statistical analyses in mind - how would you order the importance of return properties - depth, height, speed, spin, placement? For example - should the focus be on depth (as close to backline as possible without going out), height (low returns are typically harder to complete a 3rd shot drive/drop/drip, but of course the lower the return - the more risk of hitting the net & also lower returns are generally faster leaving less time to get to the kitchen), speed (faster returns are IMO much harder to drop), spin (many suggest topspin is the best especially to make a topspin 3rd shot drive more difficult), or placement (targeting the backhand or down the middle, or weakest player, etc.)? I know the pros would say all 5 lol, but us mere mortals in general have to pick 1-2 things to focus on at least until we improve. As I advance, the serves become much more difficult to handle - many hit deep fast serves with spin. At this point - there is no way I can do all the things mentioned - frankly there are times I am just happy to have returned it and kept it in play. BUT - I do think in those moments it would help me to at least try to focus on 1 (or maybe) 2 things. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Great thoughts! What I share is purely based on my personal experience and analysis, I acknowledge that there’s a very good chance that it’s ‘wrong’, priority of the return for me:
1. Depth (but not pushing it to the extreme, just back 1/3 if the court), this to me is a minimum requirement for returns.
2. Placement, this dictates who on the other team is going to take the 3rd shot and also where that person is taking 3rd shot from, high impact to your game, like you said you can target specific players if your placement is good.
3. Height, this buys you time get to kitchen
4. Spin, makes it harder for players make the 3rd shot
@@superdupr.pickleball Thank you!!
There were a few good take aways in this. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. This did a great job of discussing the first part of the return process though it really was discussing what most of us fail at many times a game. Feet positioning, ready position and short backswing should be on the menu for almost every shot, if not all. A short backswing is going to help with fast hands at the nvz as well once there. As I read below, I also hoped this went into the 2nd part of the return as well. The are a few better tactics, especially for newer players or players looking for more consistency. Just best practices would include hitting to the center line in the back 25% of the return court. Ideally, you would hit it with enough arc to get to the nvz with your partner. However, if playing bangers, do be ready to defend a hard drive with that type of return. Another option is a deeper top spin return and using a split step in the transition zone when your opponent is making their contact.
Well said thank you!
Next video is where to target for return. I usually return to the server but if the partner is weaker then I will return to the partner. Maybe you have others points since you study the pros so much?😅
That’s definitely one strategy! I think where you target your returns depends on a lot of things though, I.e how your opponents are stacking, are they right handed or left handed, which player from the opposing team you wanna keep back, and yes how you wanna play the point out with your partner
awesome tutorial,..much appreciated!!,...i hope you still making video after this!!!,..lol!😊
Haha thank you, yes I made out of this video okay in the end, still making content!
The biggest key( in my opinion is early prep) at around the 3:00 mark on Ben’s return he has the full unit turn before the ball bounces on his side and recognizes its a forehand before the servers ball crosses the net. He is also tracking the ball with his free hand. Back in the ancient days we would have a drill that we had to yell out forehand or backhand before the ball crossed the net. Doing that, it’s surprising how much time you have to get ready. It’s harder to see on her BH, but on her FH she is still bringing her paddle back after the ball bounces and it on the rise. She’s jammed and being hurried. You can certainly video the return and play back to see where her paddle and body position is BEFORE the ball bounces on her side
Thank you for sharing, I really like the idea of calling our forehand and backhand when you are returning, i think it’s a great wat train anticipation and preparation.
I noticed that Ben Johns return is more closed where he steps in with the front foot (left non-dominant foot) first prior to contact with the ball whereas Anna Leigh and the other pros loads up on their right dominant leg and as they make contact lunge and follows through with the front left non-dominant foot. Which do you recommend?
It really depends on each shot I think, Ben also does open stance as well if he gets pushed wide, in an ideal scenario, my personal view is to load up the dominant foot, right after you make contact you lunge through so you get the forward momentum that helps you to get to the kitchen faster.
@@superdupr.pickleball thanks, if doing it the way you recommend and that most pros do, should the dominant foot you are loading up on be in front of the non -dominant foot?
Non dominant in the front, initially body weight loaded to back foot (dom), as you swing through the ball, you push your body using back foot, then weight transfers to front foot.
Terrific video! Tks for posting!!
Thank you for the feedback, glad that you enjoyed it!
This was a great video!! Thanks!
@@stevealldredge7489 thank you for your kind feedback!
Amazing breakdowns.
Thank you for the kind feedback!
Bruh that's a killer opening 😂😂😂
Thank you! Killer opening it was, my wife almost killed me for that opening :)
Excellent analysis of the pros' returns. Ironically, Ben's and ALW's returns in your vid landed in the mid-court. Not their best work (LOL!), but all your observations remain valid, since the vast majority of their returns land deep🙃. Good video analysis.
Thank you for taking your time to share your feedback, it means a lot!
On the point about hitting the ball with the tip of the paddle, i recently heard that players hit with the tip when they're trying to generate power similar to hitting a baseball with the end of the bat vs the middle.
If you watch all the pro slow mos they all hit with the tip. Great video all around
Thank you. I would be interested to see if someone does a study to compare the power loss due to not hitting sweet spot vs hitting the ball with end of the paddle
Keep your eyes on the ball when the ball comes off your opponent’s paddle - helps your anticipation and gets your feet moving. Watch the ball into your hitting zone, it helps keep your head still. Relax and swing through the ball.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Excellent "grasshopper"
Great video and analysis...thanks!
Thank you for tuning in and the kind feedback! Hope you like the other content on this channel, too!
Thank you again for your very detailed video analysis.
Glad that you found this helpful!
I enjoyed this video! 👍🏻🙌
Awesome! Thank you!
Get in front of ball and manage the strength of your return based on pace of serve. After that it's control and placement, which are hard.
Great point
Very good analysis and very helpful as well 👍
Thank you! Glad that this analysis was useful for you!
Love the sound effects
Thank you for tuning in and your feedback! Appreciate it!
@@superdupr.pickleball lol just watched it again, still makes me laugh, she's a good sport, AND a good player!
Really good analysis thank you
Glad you liked it! Much appreciate it!
A few thoughts.
Paddle prep (backswing) should be completed before the ball bounces, or by the time the ball bounces at the latest. See Patrick’s YT Short here: ua-cam.com/users/shortsGC_pHhWvQx4
Ball should be hit (when possible) AFTER the post-bounce apex, not at the apex. At the apex, the ball doesn’t grab the paddle as well (think of “weightless astronauts”). It starts to gain weight as it descends from that apex. Let the ball crest and hit it while it is on its downward trajectory. It will grab the paddle surface better. It will also be going slower at this point.
5:24 you mention ALW’s minimal body movement. Staying down on the shot (not lifting up) is good, but watch your replay again and focus on her head. It is essentially motionless. So her body has some motion but the head doesn’t. This allows for better focus on the ball.
10:11 Disagree. You wife did not need to take a big step forward. If she relaxed, let the ball come to her and hit it on its descent she would be more consistent and had less head movement. Players believe they have to move forward to hit balls early. The opposite is true. Relax, let the ball come to you and hit it while it is descending.
Her swing was not too fast. The problem was the she was too high (not under the ball enough) and therefore didn’t get enough lift. If she’d stayed back and low and waited on the ball she would have had much better success.
Her second shot, her backswing was NOT too big. People confuse this a lot thinking a big backswing isn’t good. I disagree and detail why here: ua-cam.com/video/KnZCRqh2FO0/v-deo.html Notice that her arm is bent while she hits the return. Bending the arm changes the distance from the shoulder to the paddle sweet spot. Keep the arm fully extended allows for swinging from the shoulder and keeps the paddle at a more consistent distance. And she doesn’t demonstrate much shoulder rotation. Notice how her paddle finishes high but over the wrong shoulder. It should finish over her left shoulder.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts
Excellent analysis of the players.
I believe your wife will benefit from watching your thorough breakdown of the swings.
She might get a little upset but I again believe she will over come it. Hopefully. Lol
Thank you for the kind feedback, glad you found this helpful! Haha yeah maybe she will be a little upset, hopefully it’s going to help her in the long run!
😂not upset about it, coz he does the same. But you are right, my swing is too much that my coach always said, maybe the player had big serve, so I was overdoing it
The return of serve is perhaps , if done correctly, the most impactfull shot in Pickle-Ball . It creates multiple advantages . It can keep your opponents pinned back on their heals at their baseline , making their 3rd. shot that more difficult for them , while , at the same time , allowing you to easily have enough time to establish yourself at the NVZ Line along side your partner . Once there , you are in highly advantaged position to receive & attack your opponents 3rd. shot ( which you already made more difficult for them ) and enable you remain at NVZ Line & continue to press and keep your opponents back at their baseline . No other shot can accomplish all that so easily !
Completely agree!
Get it deep and in the court is all that is required. You aint hitting winners off the return.
Very good analysis, considering you don’t have a tennis background. Everything was spot on. What software do you use for analysis of your game play?
Thank you for the feedback, really appreciate it! I use Final Cut Pro
good job
Thank you!
what software do you use to make this?
I use Final Cut pro
No offense, but a 3.5 should have no problem getting a serve back in play. Maybe not the best in depth but unless it's a great serve they should get it back. I say she's 3.0.
Her DUPR is 3.96 now, that’s after 478 games, maybe where you live has a different rating standards.
Agree she is way over rated. Any of our 70 plus teams would eat them for lunch.
@@superdupr.pickleballthen Im Ben Johns!
Well it depends on how hard and deep the serve was hit, doesn’t it. I’m a 4.2 player and I usually have few problems with Service returns but today I played a 4.75 player and I could not return his serves.
Doesn’t everybody know that it’s impossible to judge the speed of a shot from a video like this?
Good point on the ball speed and also the spin is hard to tell from video too
Maybe something you could have added is that hitting a return deep is more important than hitting it fast and hard.
Yeah good point
Its the only thing!
Great work & clever page name! Definitely subscribed! I just recently started using a high arcing deep lob return & have had great results with it even against much higher skill players than me. Since it has to bounce, it gives plenty of time to get to the kitchen & it seems to throw people off & distract them...especially bangers. Pretty sure it annoys them too 😂.
Thank you for tuning in and supporting this channel! Yeah that’s actually a legit tactic if you can keep it consistent, this sport is evolving and growing, keep experimenting with different things!
3.7 with this return?
Yes
footwork
Definitely important part of it
Wow, I see 2 of the 3 missed hit returns were on game points! Ouch!!
Yeah it’s an important shot!
Appreciate the analysis.
Watch your wife's eyes and face, she is not watching the ball as it contacts her paddle and keeps her eyes on where she returning it. That can lead to a lot of miss hits.
I will let her know thank you!
Thank you for the input, I think my eyes were on the contacting point, but my footwork and swing was not good enough, specifically that player had great serves, even my husband missed some too 😂usually I don’t miss returns in my games or won’t be more than two.
Gotcha on those being tough serves. If you watch top athletes, they generally have their head turned focusing on the contact point. Your eyes may be on the contact point but it appears your head is only partially turned. I'd suggest focusing on being more deliberate with your head, and not just your eyes. I think you will find it improves your returns. Watch your hubby's head, it may be that he can also benefit.
Have fun!
FOUR HUNDRED RETURNS
Haha, you speak the truth. 400 it has to be!
Great analysis! Most of us are trying to "kill" the ball with a big swing during return which is an overdo and gains little benefit at this level. The foremost goal for return is to be consistently deep , creating difficulties for your opponent's 3rd shot and earning more time for us to get to the kitchen quickly. I need to practice my return too. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for the kind feedback, I agree with you that most of us at our level myself included are probably overdoing our return which actually makes our return inconsistent. I’m glad that you found this analysis helpful!
That’s true 😂
@@denniswei1983I agree, after the adjustment recently as Kobla said that just push the ball instead a big swing on it, getting much better and get to the kitchen very fast as well.
Well researched. And your wife and mine must be sisters, actually most wives are sisters...
:D haha thx for watching!
I like the content's structure & analysis. You should try to use shorter/ crisp and straight to the point sentences. Was almost falling asleep listening to you.
Thx for the feedback
Ben Johns return.... EVERYONE does that. Not just him. Just that most people don't have the accuracy that he has and that is why he is at the top! Everyone moves right away to make space to hit the ball... come on. Everyone tries to hit the ball smack dead center... he just does it better. Think about it. WOW...
Thx for sharing
There is no way she's a 3.7
Her DUPR is 3.96 now, yeah there is no way she is 3.7 :)
@@superdupr.pickleball wow I thought she was a 6
Really? Freedom of speech? Just you wait...lol! Boy, you got a lot to learn. Lol! Best advice to couples in pickleball, ssshhh, quietly,..ya... don't, yep, don't tell your wife. Lol!! Why? No two partners, are build same and each will be different when advancing in pickleball. Usually one will be stronger and another lagging due to time spent playing, drilling. Most get frustrated having to 'carry a slower partner' but due to being a couple, feels trap with little choice.
We stopped playing together as a couple in tourneys..
Thx for sharing!
Once you realize the return is just to get you to the kitchen to put the next shot away. Your spouse thinks she is gonna hit a winner that makes her a loser. Get it deep and get it in is all that is required everytime.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts