- Pickleball Daily
- Posts
- The shots all 50+ players must have
The shots all 50+ players must have
Paul from Pickleball Daily
February 18, 2026
In partnership with
Smart starts here.
You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.
Tip of the day
In2Pickle coach Tony Roig explains why the return of serve is the most critical shot for players over fifty who want to reduce unforced errors and stay competitive.
While it is not considered a flashy shot, the return of serve happens in every point and has a high consequential impact on how the rest of the rally unfolds.
An effective return should prioritize depth and height, with a goal of landing the ball approximately four feet from the baseline.
Aiming higher over the net reduces the risk of hitting into the tape while naturally generating the depth needed to push opponents back.
A deep return provides the necessary time for senior players to move from the baseline to the non-volley zone line before the fourth shot is hit.
Hitting the ball deep prevents opponents from stepping forward to attack the ball early, which keeps your team from being under immediate pressure.
By keeping the serving team pinned near their own baseline, you make their third shot much more difficult to execute accurately.
Senior players often struggle when they get stuck in the transition zone, a problem that is frequently caused by a short and weak return of serve.
Focusing on this one foundational shot allows you to use pickleball IQ to compensate for changes in speed as you age.
Key Points:
Prioritize depth on every return of serve to keep your opponents away from the kitchen.
Aim for high net clearance to eliminate simple mistakes and ensure the ball travels deep.
Use the extra time provided by a deep return to established yourself at the net.
Force your opponents to hit their third shot from the baseline to limit their offensive options.
Focus on the return of serve as the most impactful way to stop getting attacked early in rallies.
Deal of the day
Meme of the day
Yikes 🤣
That’s it for today! As always, thank you for reading. 🙏
If you’d like to support Pickleball Daily and want to read ad-free, please consider a premium membership.
Happy pickling,
Paul