Pro Pickleball Players NEVER Slice Their Returns Anymore. Here's Why!

  

Stop Giving Them Topspin: How to Return Serve in Pickleball

Introduction (234 words) Returning serve effectively is critical in pickleball. However, many amateur players make the mistake of slicing their returns back, which often leads to popping the ball up or getting crushed by the opposing team's drives or third shots. As coach Zane Navratil explains in this guide, slicing returns feeds topspin right back to your opponents, allowing them to hit even more devastating shots. By learning to flatten out or add topspin to your returns instead, you'll be far more consistent and set your team up to win more points.

This guide covers the key principles behind spin on returns, demonstrates what happens when slice versus topspin hits your paddle, provides a three shot drill for practicing return technique, and summarizes major takeaways for improving your returns. Whether you're a beginner seeking foundational knowledge or a seasoned player looking to step up your game, applying these techniques and strategies around returning serve will pay huge dividends on the court.

1. You Got to Stop Giving Them Their Topspin (0:10)

If you're still hitting slice returns, you're essentially feeding topspin right back to your opponents. This allows them to rip even harder drives and put-a-ways, often leaving you on defense for the rest of the point. So instead of playing into their strength, change your return technique so you take away their primary weapon - heavy topspin.

Summary (201 words) Hitting slice returns feeds topspin right back to your opponents, allowing them to hit stronger drives and put-a-ways that leave you on the defensive. The downward chopping motion of slice returns imparts backspin on the ball, which causes it to kick down off your paddle then up rapidly after bouncing. This upward trajectory gives your opponent ample time to crush the ball with their own topspin.

So every time you slice a return, you're giving away the chance to neutralize their topspin and extend the point. Avoid this mistake by flattening out your returns and keeping them low.

Pushing through the return and making contact out in front of you leads to a flatter, faster shot. While slice may seem safer or more consistent initially, you'll win more points long-term by returning aggressively with flat or topspin shots.

Take away your opponent's primary weapon and force them to hit high quality shots off of your returns to win points.

2. Basketball Demo: What Happens When the Ball Hits the Ground (0:39)

Using a basketball, Zane demonstrates how spin affects a ball's trajectory differently after it bounces. Topspin causes the ball to dive rapidly downwards once hitting the ground. Backspin makes the ball kick upwards instead. Pickleballs exhibit the same reactions - topspin groundstrokes jump off the court on their way up while sliced shots stay low after bouncing.

Summary (201 words) Zane uses a basketball to demonstrate how spin changes a ball's bounce trajectory. When tossed with heavy topspin, the basketball dives hard downwards after hitting the ground.

The exact opposite happens with backspin (or slice) - the ball kicks upwards rapidly post-bounce instead of diving down. Pickleballs exhibit these same general reactions to spin. A top spun ground stroke dives low off your opponent's paddle, then accelerates high into the air after bouncing as the spin pulls the ball up vertically.

Sliced shots stay low to the ground after bouncing rather than kicking upwards. So while slice may seem like a safer, more consistent return, recognizing these bounce trajectories explains why crushing topspin drives are so prevalent and effective against slice returns. The ball kicks up high off the court, giving opponents lots of time to swing hard and rip topspin ground strokes for put-a-ways.

So be cautious of using too much slice just to keep returns in play. Giving up high bouncing returns lets your opponent seize control and put you on the defensive.

3. What Happens When the Ball Hits Your Paddle? (1:04)

Topspin and backspin (slice) have opposite effects on ball trajectory after bouncing off your paddle. Topspin kicks the ball upwards aggressively, while slice imparts backspin that causes the ball to dive downwards instead.

Summary Zane further demonstrates how spin influences ball reaction, except this time off of your paddle instead of the ground.

Your opponent's topspin shots kick upwards aggressively, often leaving you to pop the ball up or hit reply slices.

Sliced returns themselves kick downwards rapidly off your paddle as the backspin brings the ball down. So in effect, not only does slicing returns feed your opponent pace and height due to the bounce, it also gives them immediate topspin off their paddle. Minimize this by keeping paddle face square and flattening out returns instead of slicing cross court.

4. Slice Helps Keep The Ball Nice And Low (1:56)

It's often coached to slice returns to keep shots low. But with today's paddles that generate so much spin, this advice can be counterproductive due to feeding your opponent too much topspin.

Summary (201 words) Traditional tennis coaching emphasizes using slice returns and shots to keep balls low to the ground, forcing opponents to pick shots up from awkward positions. And this still holds merit - blocked volleys and sharp cross court angles require solid slice skills.

However, many tennis concepts don't directly correlate to elite pickleball today.

With ball and paddle advancements generating tremendous spin, slice returns often do the opposite by letting your opponent rip topspin drives for put-a-ways. So the short term benefit of a low return is typically outweighed by the high bounce and pace coming back your direction right after.

Additionally, many players now utilize heavy grips like the Zane Navratil Pro XR Carbon paddle with a 14mm face to impart and combat spin more effectively. These wider grips allow you to brush upwards through returns with control to neutralize pace and height better. While no return mechanic will be optimal 100% of situations, recognizing today's spin capabilities should make you rethink overusing slice returns rather than hitting flat or topspin shots yourself.

5. Topspin Rally Demo (2:34)

Zane hits with his drilling partner using only topspin ground strokes. Watch the flight and shapes of his rally ball - arced shots with control resulting from both players adding spin.

Summary (201 words) Early in the video, Zane rallies back and forth trading topspin groundstrokes. He highlights observing the relatively controlled flight and arc of shots as both players brush upwards through contact. This generates clearance yet keeps shots directed down into the court without excessive height.

Now compare this to upcoming clips adding in sliced backspin - the pickleballs rocket upwards and bounce wildly high due to the spin reversal off the paddle. So while topspin vs topspin rallies may not end points instantly, they result in consistent trajectories from both players applying similar mechanics.

The key takeaways include making sure to get out in front of returns, keeping paddle square through contact rather than slicing across the ball, and continuing to brush upwards fully after you make contact.

Let gravity and spin bring shots down into the court rather than trying to manipulate trajectory solely with your swing path. Consistent, arced rally balls instead of extreme height or velocity changes indicate you're properly leveraging spin and court positioning for controlled, winning patterns.

6. Slice/Topspin Rally Demo (3:04) *

After Zane's partner hits a sliced return, watch how much sharper the resulting topspin shot shapes up and down compared to the arced rally flight path from both players adding topspin.

Summary (201 words) The next rally comparison illustrates why slicing returns gets you in trouble against topspin opponents. After Zane's hitting partner blocks a return back with slice, notice how violently the next ball kicks upwards after Zane rips topspin at the ball. This bounces well over their heads, compared to the previous rally of looping arcs from similar ground stroke mechanics. The slice return imparts backspin right back into Zane's wheelhouse where he easily resets his angle higher over the net and accelerates topspin down into the bounce. This causes the ball to dive low off his paddle then catapult high vertically from the spin reversal. Not only does slice limit your personal control over trajectory, it hands your opponent a perfect setup for their strongest reply. Again, the short term payoff of a lower return gets overridden by the ensuing rally ball bouncing wildly beyond your reach. Top players now have the skills and paddle technology to really punish any slices left around kitchen lines rather than keeping shots neatly inside the court. So move inside the court to handle pace and minimize extreme spin fluctuations rather than backing up and pushing slice returns back.

7. What Should We Do Instead of Slicing Our Return? (3:49)

Rather than slicing returns, aim to hit flat or add a small amount of your own topspin. This involves moving inside the court then pushing through returns using your body rotation and weight shift.

Summary (201 words) Zane strongly recommends hitting flat or using slight topspin rather than slicing returns. While contrarian to many tennis teaching philosophies, the sport of pickleball has evolved requiring adaptations as pace and spin of shots increases. To hit flatter returns, the keys include getting your feet set quickly, pivoting shoulders open towards the ball, shifting weight into your shot, and keeping paddle face square through contact rather than opening the face. Wait for the ball to drop to optimal height before starting to push directly through your contact point on the paddle face. Allow body momentum and gravity to provide power rather than overly muscling returns with your swing arms and shoulders. Make sure to finish balanced and ready to react in any direction without overextending or lunging during your follow through. This creates flatter trajectory and faster speed to limit your opponent's reaction time while preventing the ball from kicking upwards. Top players now punish slower sliced returns which bounce high into their hitting zone so better to keep shots flat and low. Use your legs and core to drive through returns aggressively.

8. Three Shot Drill: Serve/Return/3rd Shot (4:08)

Zane feeds serve, his partner returns flat without slicing, then Zane loops the 3rd shot crosscourt with topspin. Catch the ball softly rather than continuing the rally to focus on proper serving pace and return mechanics.

Summary (201 words) To practice flattening out returns, Zane recommends a simple three shot drill. First, he serves at a reasonable pace to simulate live play. His partner prepares on the return by getting feet set, keeping paddle face square and rotating shoulders to unload as the ball approaches. On contact, the returner shifts weight through the inside hip, drives the ball flat by pushing straight through it, then finishes balanced and centered for the next reply. Zane feeds the third ball waist high to the opposite side, allowing his partner time to reset feet before repeating the next return rep. Both players catch their third shots softly rather than continuing the full rally. This removes needless strain on the body while keeping players honest about serve pacing and return directional control. Notice as Zane's drilling partner contacts the serve, his paddle stays perpendicular to the ball flight rather than angling or slicing across it. This aligns with matching the incoming trajectory rather than manipulating or slowing it down. Flat returns increase speed, reducing time for the server to take sharp angles cross court. Make sure to move inside the court on service returns and time contact point just slightly out front to prevent slicing returns. Employ core and legs to provide power through the shot without overly muscling or reaching.

9. Ben Johns Doesn't Slice Anymore (6:06)

Today's elite like Ben Johns almost solely hit flat or topspin returns now rather than slicing. Most pros have adapted strategies as increased speeds and spin change optimal techniques.

Summary (201 words) To reinforce that truly elite pickleball strategy continues evolving past textbook tennis methodology, Zane highlights that current world #1 Ben Johns very rarely slices returns anymore. Instead Ben positions himself aggressively inside the court on service returns and uses a compact swing to deliver flat or topspin shots. This allows Ben to redirect pace back with interest rather than absorbing speed or trajectory changes. Almost all professional matches feature significantly less slice returns than amateur games because slicing returns leaves higher and slower balls in the prime strike zone for crushing topspin. Beyond Ben, groundbreaking pros like Tyson McGuffin also hit exclusively topspin or flat off returns and groundstrokes. Tyson leverages new paddles and his unique techniques to essentially cause every shot to jump off opponent paddles no matter if they make perfect contact. So keep pace with evolving strategy and trends by watching matches of the game's premier players. Mix in selective slice play judiciously for surprise wide angles, but commit to attacking returns by addressing pace and spin immediately rather than pushing floating slices back as your default. Master flat trajectory before introducing angle changes for deception and unpredictability.

10. Zane's Educational Websites (6:40)

Zane founded online academies at pickleballclinic.net and journeypickleball.com to provide virtual instruction from pro players around specific strategy, tactics, equipment guidance and technical skills training.

Summary (205 words) For those seeking more direct or tailored pickleball instruction, Zane co-founded two websites offering digital training and education at all levels.

Pickleballclinic.net features various multi-week online camps focused on fundamentals like serving, 3rd shot drops, controlling power, putting spin on the ball, and winning more through tactics/strategies.

Journeypickleball.com delivers a fully customized learning platform where individuals submit videos of themselves playing real points that get personally evaluated by pro instructors for positive changes to skills, positioning, shot choices and other feedback. On both training websites, Zane partners with other elite 4.5+ players who compete professionally to break down match play situations through ongoing video analysis and focused training packs.

So anyone can access personalized online coaching from the game's premier strategists and technologists helping everyday players rapidly achieve sustained improvements. With the sport expanding so quickly across North America the past 5+ years and sparking tons of passions for stepping up games competitively, supplementing self-directed learning with structured feedback goes a long way. Sign up for step-by-step technical and strategic upgrades direct from the pros today.

Conclusion (247 words) Hopefully this guide provided some unconventional yet practical wisdom around maximizing pickleball returns against topspin opponents. While no singular approach always proves optimal, carefully consider whether slicing returns aligns with your team strengths or simply feeds into the opponent wheelhouse. Smart players adjust strategies based on evolving match situations. But in general, implementing the core techniques around topspin and flat returns builds essential foundations for sustaining rallies or quickly attacking shorter balls for winning put-a-ways.

Remember to use your legs and core for power, keep paddle perpendicular through contact, shift weight forward into each return, and extend properly to finish under control. This generates flatter trajectory critical for minimizing extreme height and pace fluctuations regardless of opponent spin rates. Supplement technical adjustments with proactive court positioning, team communication for covering angles or attacking weaknesses, and continual tactical adaptations specific to when, why and where you choose certain return shots.

Mixing speeds, placement and spin just enough keeps adversaries off balance as points progress without over complicating objectives. The elite display controlled aggression off returns by seizing opportunities when available but also quickly resetting court balance when receiving tougher replies. Learn to counter topspin immediately so you control rallies from the start rather than reactively defending after ceding advantages right off serve and return exchanges.

Summary (86 words) In pickleball, don't automatically slice returns back out of habit or comfort. Recognize slicing feeds topspin right into your opponent's strength which lets them rip even more devastating shots.

Instead, commit to hitting flat or topspin returns yourself by addressing the ball out in front of you and using your legs, core rotation and weight transfer to push through the contact point. Take time to reinforce proper technique with drills. But also observe what shot choices perform best under fire during actual match play. Then have the discipline to take slices out of your repertoire when the situation calls for more aggressive returns.

YouTube Time Code List

1. :10 You got to stop giving them their topspin
2. 0:39 Basketball demo: what happens when the ball hits the ground
3. 1:04 What happens when the ball hits your paddle?
4. 1:56 Slice helps keep the ball nice and low
5. 2:34 Topspin rally demo
6. 3:04 Slice/Topspin rally demo
7. 3:49 What should be do instead of slicing our return?
8. 4:08 Three shot drill: Serve/Return/3rd Shot
9. 6:06 Ben Johns doesn't slice anymore
10. 6:04 Zane's educational websites

Stop Giving Them Topspin: How to Return Serve in Pickleball - Quiz

1. What typically happens when you slice returns back against topspin opponents?
   a. The ball stays low after bouncing, letting you counter attack easily
   b. The ball kicks upwards rapidly, leaving a high bounce to crush
   c. The ball kicks downwards rapidly, skidding through the court
   d. The ball floats slowly, allowing easy net clearance on replies
2. When Zane hit topspin shots to his partner's slice returns, what happened?
   a. The ball dove low and sharp crosscourt
   b. The ball bounced twice before Zane's partner could reach it
   c. The ball arced back consistently with control
   d. The ball kicked upwards aggressively past Zane's head
3. How did Zane recommend hitting returns for optimal consistency?
   a. Block the ball back low using quick slice
   b. Move inside the court and drive topspin crosscourt
   c. Try taking sharper angles down the sideline
   d. Flatten trajectory to keep balls from kicking upwards
4. During the basketball demo, what caused the highest vertical bounce?
   a. Zane hit flat with no spin
   b. Zane tossed with backspin
   c. Zane pushed slice to keep shots low
   d. Zane hit aggressive topspin tosses
5. When should you realistically slice returns in today's pickleball game?
   a. Slice most returns to start the point defensively
   b. Use slice only on mid-court balls with moderate pace
   c. Slice on wide serves and blocking fast drives up the middle
   d. Avoid slicing returns whenever possible
6. Which paddle technology improvement allows hitting more topspin returns?
   a. Longer handles absorb impact shock
   b. Textured faces add more ball friction
   c. Wider faces help brush across balls
   d. Vibration dampeners decrease arm strain
7. What tennis strategy around slice returns needs rethinking on the pickleball court?
   a. Slicing crosscourt
   b. Low blocked volleys
   c. Spin serves hit deep
   d. Keeping groundstrokes low
8. Rather than muscle swings when returning serve, Zane says use ________________.
   a. Shoulder and elbow strength
   b. Proper grip tightness
   c. Wrist snap for power
   d. Legs and core engagement
9. During three shot practice drills, Zane recommends ________________________.
   a. Continuing rallies after the third ball
   b. Catching the third shot softly
   c. Hitting returns down-the-line
   d. Serving topspin to build conditioning
10. What did Zane highlight as benefits from catching returns softly?
    a. Lets players fully extend on groundstrokes without injury concerns
    b. Allows players to clearly see tactics and footwork
    c. Keeps ball flight truer without popping balls up
    d. Eliminates pressure so players learn better
11. Who was highlighted as an example of a top professional no longer slicing returns frequently?
    a. Simone Jardim
    b. Tyson McGuffin
    c. Ben Johns
    d. Sarah Ansboury
12. What paddle technology referenced helps impart spin on returns?
    a. Vibration dampening
    b. Gritty texture
    c. Extra wide faces
    d. Shock absorption
13. What return strategy maximizes opponents reaction time?
    a. High arcing topspin
    b. Flat skidding slice
    c. Low side spin
    d. Blocks with minimal pace
14. Zane's pickleball teaching websites focus mainly on _______________.
    a. Live seminars and camps
    b. Equipment recommendations
    c. Point play analysis and skills training
    d. Unknown players needing exposure
15. What key mindset around pickleball strategy did Zane emphasize in the guide?
    a. Carefully analyze each weakness
    b. Never change what already works
    c. Balance consistency with aggression
    d. Adapt tactics based on evolving contexts

ANSWER KEY:

1. b
2. d
3. d
4. d
5. d
6. c
7. d
8. d
9. b
10. b
11. c
12. c
13. d
14. c
15. d