In the fast-evolving world of pickleball, the return of serve is no longer just a way to start the rally—it is an opportunity to seize immediate control of the court. While many players rely on a safe, high, looping return to buy time, top-ranked pro Ben Johns advocates for a more assertive weapon: the forehand drive return.
When executed correctly, this aggressive shot puts the serving team on the defensive from the very first strike, drastically shifting the momentum of the point.
The Strategy Behind the Drive
A forehand drive return is characterized by hitting the ball hard, deep, and primarily flat. Rather than heavily slicing the ball, the goal is to hit it with a clean face, adding just a touch of natural topspin if necessary to help keep the ball inside the baseline.
The primary advantage of this shot is simple: power and depth. By driving the ball hard into the opponent’s court, you push the serving team backward. This added depth and pace makes it significantly more difficult for them to execute a clean third-shot drop, which is their primary tool for neutralizing the serving disadvantage and moving up to the kitchen line.
Mechanics of the Shot: Short Backswing, High Follow-Through
While the return functions similarly to a standard third-shot drive, Ben Johns points out one crucial difference: a reduced backswing.
Because a serve is often deep, fast, and accurately placed, you do not have the luxury of time for a massive wind-up. A large backswing will cause you to mistime the ball, resulting in late contact or a missed shot. Instead, keep the backswing compact to ensure clean, center-paddle contact.
However, a short backswing does not mean a short swing overall. To generate the necessary depth and control, you must pair that compact take-back with a full, generous follow-through that finishes high, typically right up around your shoulder.
Body Weight and Transition Mechanics
One of the most common mistakes amateur players make when attempting to drive the ball hard is hitting off their back foot. When you fall backward during a return, you lose both control over the ball and precious seconds needed to transition forward.
Ben Johns emphasizes a specific order of operations to master the transition to the kitchen:
- Watch the ball completely through contact: Ensure you actually strike the ball cleanly before your feet take off in a full sprint toward the net.
- Commit your momentum forward: Your body weight should actively lean and push through the shot. This natural forward weight transfer is what should carry your momentum seamlessly into your run toward the non-volley line.
By mastering the balance between a compact backswing and forward-moving body weight, you can turn your forehand return into an aggressive tool that dictates the pace of the game.
