How To Return Against Bangers

James Ignatowich

Hey guys, this is James Ignatowich from Delray Beach, Fl. Do you have trouble playing against bangers? People that hit the ball super hard? Do you have trouble coming in off the return, or off a big serve?

If you have a tough time getting to the kitchen off of your return, playing against somebody with a big serve and a big drive—we have the solution for you.

The High Crosscourt Return: Your Secret Weapon

So, when you’re playing against players who are hitting big serves and big drives, a super important part of getting up to the kitchen quickly is the high crosscourt return.

If you return the ball crosscourt (figure 1), there is more space—about 5 feet extra of space in that crosscourt diagonal way—than there is down the line. And also, if you put some height on the ball, that ball is going to be in the air for quite a long time.

(figure 1)

And one of the first things we learn in pickleball is that the return has to bounce.

So, if you’re playing against bangers—guys that are getting big serves and big drives—and you’re having a tough time getting up to that kitchen line, and getting caught in that transition zone, I would highly recommend the high crosscourt return to give yourself a ton of time to get forward.

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James Ignatowich is a top 10 professional pickleball player originally from Connecticut, now residing in Delray Beach, Florida. A former Division 1 tennis player at Vanderbilt University, James made a transition to pickleball, quickly rising to prominence in the sport and often playing doubles with Tyson McGuffin and Anna Bright. In addition to his athletic achievements, he runs his own podcast, where he shares insights into the game and interviews other professionals. jamesignatowichnewsletter | PPA | MLP | My paddle