Pickleball Deep Return and Kitchen Rush

A pickleball doubles game focused on the return: the receiving team must return deep and get both players up to the kitchen line before the opponents' third shot. Students work on moving forward, shot depth, and the tactical edge of owning the net.

How to play

1. Set a row of cones 5 feet inside the baseline: a return landing between the cones and the baseline counts as deep.
2. Two pairs per court: the serving team stays back because of the two-bounce rule and the receiving team returns and moves up.
3. Run a 6-minute block of serve, return, and move-up only: a deep return with both players reaching the kitchen before the third shot scores 2 points.
4. Play a 10-minute block of real games with rally scoring to 11; each deep return earns a bonus point.
5. Every 5 minutes switch serving and receiving roles and rotate opponents.

Rules

• Follow the two-bounce rule: the return and the third shot must bounce before being hit.
• The receiving team moves up together, never one player alone.
• For safety, stop before the kitchen line and never run backward.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: only returns while the partner moves up; the deep zone is made larger.
• Shy students: the pair agrees on a single word to move up ("Up!").
• Lower fitness: 1-minute rest between blocks and a shorter court.

Learning goals

• Hit deep returns to buy time.
• Move up to the kitchen with the partner after the return.
• Understand the tactical advantage of controlling the net.

Equipment for a class of 25

• paddles: 24
• pickleballs: 12
• low nets: 6
• cones: 36

Teacher tip

The common mistake is admiring the return instead of moving up; ask students to take their first step forward as they hit. Make sure the cones are not in a running lane.

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