The Secret to Perfect Returns in Pickleball | Pro Player Jill Braverman

Mastering the Return of Serve: A Pro's Guide to Leaning, Connecting, and Exploding Transform Your Returns with Jill Braverman's Pro Tips Welcome, fellow pickleball enthusiasts! In this instructional guide, we dive into the art of returning serves with none other than the pickleball pro herself, Jill Braverman. With years of experience and a passion for the game, Jill shares her life-changing tips to revolutionize your return of serve. Forget about sitting idly and watching those serves come at you – Jill advocates for a dynamic approach of leaning, connecting, and exploding into action. In this guide, we break down each crucial step to elevate your return game and leave your opponents in awe. From correcting common mistakes to visualizing the perfect target, Jill's insights promise to reshape your strategy on the court. So, let's embark on this journey together and take your return of serve to new heights! 1. Leaning Into the Ball (0:46): To counter the common mistake of players sitting back on their heels during returns, Jill emphasizes the importance of leaning forward into the ball. This section explores the concept of leaning, the reasons behind it, and how to adopt this crucial adjustment into your playing style. Jill instructs players to break the habit of stepping backward after connecting with the ball. Instead, she advocates for a forward-leaning stance, urging players to visualize walking or even running into the ball. By doing so, players can alter their perception and gain better control over their returns. This change in mindset and body position sets the foundation for a more proactive approach to returning serves. 2. Connecting with the Sweet Spot and Target (1:23): Jill delves into the significance of connecting with both the sweet spot of the paddle and a specific target on the court. This section provides guidance on associating targets with returns and visualizing the ideal shot placement. Beyond merely connecting with the paddle's sweet spot, Jill emphasizes the need to associate a target with each return. Whether it's the center of the court or exploiting an opponent's weakness, visualizing a precise target enhances the chances of executing a successful return. By doing so, players can overcome the common pitfall of hoping and praying for a good return, introducing a strategic element to their approach. 3. Exploding Forward to the Kitchen Line (2:28): Jill introduces the concept of exploding forward after leaning and connecting, emphasizing the importance of momentum towards the kitchen line. This section explores the mechanics and benefits of this explosive movement. After achieving the forward lean and connecting with the ball, Jill encourages players to explode forward towards the kitchen line. Imagining a string pulling them in adds a visual element to this dynamic movement. This forward momentum not only puts players in an advantageous position but also disrupts the opponent's expectations. Jill shares insights from Sarah Ansboury, recommending players to push off their right leg at impact, providing a practical technique to enhance the explosive forward motion.

4. Pro Tips and Closing Thoughts (3:14): Jill concludes with additional pro tips and a summary of the key principles. This section provides a quick recap and encourages players to implement these techniques in their game. In this final segment, Jill reinforces the "lean, connect, and explode" mantra, urging players to replace the passive "smoking in the lobby" approach with an active, strategic mindset. She emphasizes the transformative impact of pushing off the right leg at impact, sharing how this technique has personally elevated her returns during tournaments. As the session wraps up, Jill invites players to share their experiences with this approach, fostering a sense of community and improvement among pickleball enthusiasts. Summary: Mastering the return of serve is an art, and with Jill Braverman's expert guidance, players can unlock a new level of skill and strategy. By embracing the principles of leaning, connecting, and exploding, this guide equips players with the tools to not only correct common mistakes but also elevate their return game to a professional level. From visualizing precise targets to incorporating explosive forward movement, Jill's tips provide a comprehensive framework for success on the pickleball court. So, grab your paddle, implement these pro strategies, and get ready to dominate your opponents with confidence and finesse.