Do you ever feel like your opponents are always at the net while you’re stuck at the back of the court, defending as best you can? They aren’t faster, they aren’t more agile, and their shoes don’t have springs. The secret usually lies in the first 5 seconds of the point.
Today on the BÜRK blog, we explore a tactical concept that leading coaches in the United States emphasise time and again: Return + 1.
If you want to move beyond defensive play and start controlling the pace of the game, read on. Your approach to returning serve can change today.
What exactly is Return + 1?
Many amateur players make the mistake of trying to win the point with their return of serve. They look for a winner down the line or a thunderous shot that leaves their opponent struggling. . ERROR
In competitive pickleball, the goal of the return isn’t to win the point; it’s to buy time. Time to get into the right position at the net.
The Return + 1 formula is simple:
- The return: A high, deep ball.
- The +1: Move immediately after the shot towards the non-volley zone line — the kitchen line.
Your goal is to reach that line before your opponents hit the third ball. If you do, you’ll have neutralized their serve advantage.
Three keys to a perfect return — and how your BÜRK paddle helps
To execute this tactic perfectly, the first thing to do is forget about raw power. What matters most here is geometry and patience.
- Seek Depth, Not Speed
Imagine that your opponent’s baseline is a cliff. You want to push them toward it. Keep them away from the net. If your return lands deep (less than a meter from the baseline), you force your opponent to step back to hit the ball, and I guarantee they’ll start to feel very uncomfortable.
- BÜRK’s tip: You do not need a huge swing. Use your paddle’s sweet spot to block and guide the ball gently but firmly.
- Height Is Your Friend (The “Loft”)
This is where most players go wrong—especially amateurs. We tend to want to hit the ball flat, tight, and as hard as possible. But remember: we need to buy time to run. If you hit a flat, fast return at 80 km/h, the ball will be back at you before you know it, catching you halfway in no man’s land. On the other hand, if you lift the ball with a gentle arc and clear the net, you’ll achieve two things: first, you won’t miss that return, and second, the ball will take longer to reach the back of your opponent’s court. Those extra seconds are pure gold, giving you time to get to the net and establish your presence with authority. That’s when you’ll start to dominate the point.
- Toward the Center and Inward
Don’t aim for the sidelines. You increase the risk of missing the return, and the angle you create makes it easier for your opponent to pass you on their third shot. The safest and most tactically disruptive area is the center of the court, right on the line dividing the two opponents.
- Why? Because you create confusion (“Is it yours or mine?”) and eliminate their lines of attack.
The Most Common Mistake: “Admiring Your Shot”
This is the mistake we see on 90% of pickleball courts. The player hits a deep return, with just the right height, with an Instagram-worthy swing; the sunset glows on the horizon; your BÜRK paddle is the perfect finishing touch—beautiful… And then they pause for a second to admire their handiwork, watching where the ball goes, savouring the moment—let me tell you, you’ve just messed things up.
In Return + 1, your legs should spring into action the moment the ball hits your paddle.
- You hit the return.
- You run (The +1).
- You brake before your opponent hits the ball (Split Step).
If you just stand there watching, you’ll be late. And in pickleball, being late to the net usually means losing the point.
Equipment matters: control over power
To hit a high, deep return down the middle, you do not need a paddle that feels like an uncontrollable plank of wood. You need a paddle with good feel.
At BÜRK, we design our paddles for this kind of smart play. Our textured surfaces and advanced polymer cores give you the feel to send the ball on a controlled arc and place it where it puts your opponent under pressure: at their feet, deep in the court.
Ready to give it a try? The next time you step onto the court, don’t try to win the point with a return. Just hit it deep, run to the net, and smile as you watch your opponents struggle from the back of the court.
Want to improve your control skills? Check out our BÜRK Paddle Collection and find your perfect partner to dominate every match.
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