We’ve all been there, you're at rec play or a tournament on a slightly windy day, and suddenly nothing feels right. Drops are flying long or falling short, balls are popping up, and frustration starts to creep in.

The third shot in pickleball is one of the most important and misunderstood shots in the entire game, especially in doubles play. After a solid serve and return, what happens next often determines who controls the rally.

Let’s talk about the serve and return, the two most common shots in pickleball and the two that almost everyone does the exact same way every time