Mastering Serving & Receiving: Where to Stand on the Pickleball Court

Serving and receiving effectively in pickleball starts with understanding where to stand on the court. Proper positioning not only highlights your strengths—like a solid forehand—but also minimizes exposure to your weaker shots. For right-handed players, standing near the middle line when serving crosscourt helps protect your forehand while maintaining control of the court. Similarly, left-handed players can mirror this strategy, positioning themselves on the opposite side to cover their forehand. The key is to adjust based on your athleticism, your partner’s abilities, and the play style of your opponents.

While serving, stepping too far from the middle line risks exposing your backhand and depending heavily on your partner’s ability to cover the open space. Short serves aimed at pulling your opponent off the court can be effective but require excellent coordination and communication with your teammate. On the receiving end, standing closer to the center of your service area allows for quicker reactions to crosscourt serves, keeping you balanced and ready to attack. Regardless of handedness, being mindful of your starting position gives you a strategic edge.

By fine-tuning your court positioning, you can anticipate your opponents’ shots and react confidently to whatever comes your way. Remember, effective positioning is about more than avoiding mistakes—it’s about setting yourself up for success. With these tips in mind, you’ll spend less time scrambling and more time hitting your shots with precision and power. Subscribe to stay tuned for our next video, where we’ll dive into the essential volley shots every player needs to master!