How to Beat a Deep Return in Pickleball

JohnCincolaPickleball

Pro Player Catherine Parenteau. Photo by Bruce Yeung; IG:@yeungphotography

Hey guys, it’s John from John Cincola Pickleball. When you get pushed back by a deep return (figure 1), it can be one of the toughest situations in pickleball to turn into a winning point. Today, I’m going to show you a set play that can help you beat the odds and get to the kitchen line as the serving team.

(figure 1)

I like to think of this challenge as two battles:

1. Winning the first battle – Getting from the baseline up to the kitchen line.
2. Winning the second battle – Actually securing the point once you’re at the kitchen.

The problem is that if your opponent hits a really good deep return, just winning that first battle—getting up to the kitchen line—can be incredibly difficult. But this set play will make that process easier and give you a much better chance to win the point.

Why Is This Situation So Difficult?

Let’s talk about why a deep return is so tricky to handle.

You hit your serve, and the return comes back deep, pushing you back past the baseline. The most common response in this situation is to try a third-shot drop, then transition forward into the midcourt area.

The Problem with the Third-Shot Drop Alone

Opponents are getting really good at attacking the fourth shot—whether off the bounce or out of the air. This puts you in a tough position because that fourth ball is coming back at you fast, low, and with a ton of topspin.

Trying to execute a perfect drop, followed by a great reset off a tough fourth shot, is just a really difficult pattern to repeat consistently. So, we need a better way to move from deep in the court and successfully get to the kitchen line.

The Drive-Drop Combo Play

This is where the Drive-Drop Combo comes in. You may have heard of it before, but today, we’re going to break it down in detail.

The idea is simple:

• Step 1 – Hit a nice, low drive on your third shot.
• Step 2 – Get back a weak reply from your opponent.
• Step 3 – Move in and execute a controlled fifth-shot drop to advance to the net.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Anticipate the deep return. Once you see it coming, quickly move back to create space and get balanced.
2. Hit a controlled third-shot drive at about 70% power. You’re not trying to hit a winner—just a solid, low drive.
3. Keep it low. The goal is to force your opponents to hit their first volley at or below net height.
4. Move in immediately. A well-placed drive usually leads to a weaker volley, landing in the midcourt.
5. Execute the fifth-shot drop. Stay low, control the ball, and drop it into the kitchen to complete your transition.

By following these steps, you can effectively neutralize a deep return and take control of the point.

3 Keys to Success with the Drive-Drop Combo

To make this strategy work smoothly, here are three essential things to focus on:

1. Adjust Your Mindset

Most people drive the ball with the intention of hitting a winner. They swing as hard as they can, hoping to end the point right then and there.

For this play, flip that mindset. Your goal isn’t to win outright with the drive—it’s to set up an easier fifth shot. If your opponent misses or you hit a winner, that’s great, but that’s not the main intention.

By thinking of the drive as a setup shot, you’ll naturally hit with more control and consistency.

2. Make the Drive Dip

The effectiveness of this play depends on your drive staying low.

If your drive is too high, your opponents will be able to hit down on their volley, putting you in a tough spot. But if you get it to dip, they’ll be forced into a weaker, defensive volley—setting up your easy drop.

3. Move Forward Immediately

After you hit your drive, start moving forward right away.

A good drive will usually lead to a weak volley that lands in the midcourt. By advancing quickly, you’ll be in a perfect position to execute the fifth-shot drop and get that final push to the kitchen line.

Final Thoughts

This Drive-Drop Combo is a simple but effective way to counter deep returns and get to the kitchen line with confidence.

Thanks for reading!

For exclusive content and full-version tutorials, make sure to check out my YouTube channel, ➡️ John Cincola Pickleball.

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