You have already practiced serving, returning serve and following the two-bounce rule as separate skills. Now you will Play the Serve, Return and Third Shot Sequence as one continuous opening exchange.
The first three paddle contacts of a pickleball rally are the serve, the return of serve and the third shot. Between those contacts, two required bounces must occur: the serve must bounce on the receiving side before it is returned, and the return must bounce on the serving side before the third shot is played. Once the ball has bounced once on each side, the two-bounce requirement has been completed.
The goal of this lesson is not to make any of those shots advanced. It is to connect them in the correct order, recover after each contact and continue naturally into a controlled rally.
How to Play the Serve, Return and Third Shot Sequence
The complete opening sequence is:
Contact 1: Serve → required bounce on the receiving side → Contact 2: Return → required bounce on the serving side → Contact 3: Third shot → continue the rally
There are three paddle contacts but two required bounces between them.
The server begins with a legal serve. The receiver tracks the serve, moves into position and lets it bounce before returning it. The serving side then tracks the return and lets that ball bounce before playing the third shot.
At the moment the return has bounced on the serving side, the ball has now bounced once on each side and the two-bounce requirement has been satisfied. The serving side then plays the third shot from that bounced ball. Afterward, the rally continues under the normal rules of play.
For beginner practice, keep every part of this sequence controlled. Use a dependable serve, a manageable return and a simple third-shot groundstroke. The objective is a legal, repeatable opening—not an aggressive attempt to end the rally.
Begin with a Legal Serve
Start with the legal serving method you can perform most consistently. This may be the drop serve or volley serve you have already learned.
For this practice, begin from the service side assigned for the repetition and use the legal serving position and serving action you have already practiced. Send the ball toward the diagonally opposite service court with enough control to give yourself a reasonable chance of beginning the rally legally.
Do not make the serve harder simply because you are now practicing a complete sequence. A fast or sharply placed serve is not required. The important task is to start the sequence successfully.
As soon as you serve:
- Finish the serving motion under control.
- Regain your balance.
- Bring the paddle back toward a useful ready position.
- Watch the receiver and the ball.
Do not automatically rush toward the net after serving. The receiving side will return the ball, and that return must still bounce on your side before you may play the third shot.
Your immediate job after serving is therefore to recover, track and prepare.
Allow the Serve to Bounce
The receiver must let the serve bounce before returning it. This is the first required bounce.
Watch the ball from the server’s contact. Notice whether it is travelling toward your forehand side, backhand side or more directly toward your body.
Move while the ball is approaching so you can establish comfortable spacing before the bounce. As the ball reaches your side:
- Let it contact the court.
- Continue tracking it as it rises.
- Make any final small positioning adjustment.
- Prepare a forehand or backhand return.
Do not contact the serve out of the air.
Beginners sometimes know the two-bounce rule but forget it once the ball begins moving. If that happens, slow the practice down. The first objective is to recognize the bounce automatically rather than rush into the return.
Return the Serve with Control
After the serve bounces, return it with a basic forehand or backhand groundstroke according to where the ball arrives.
Use the same fundamentals you have already practiced:
- create enough space between your body and the ball for a comfortable swing;
- keep the paddle face controlled;
- make contact after the bounce;
- send the ball over the net with useful clearance;
- use a broad target rather than aiming close to a sideline; and
- recover after contact.
The return does not need to be hard. During this exercise, a controlled ball that gives the serving side time to move and prepare is more useful than an aggressive return that repeatedly ends the sequence.
After the return leaves your paddle, regain your balance and bring the paddle back toward ready position. Do not remain turned toward your completed stroke or simply watch the outgoing ball.
The rally is still active, so prepare for the next contact.
Allow the Return to Bounce
After the receiver returns the serve, the serving side must let that return bounce before playing it.
This is the second required bounce.
Track the return as soon as it leaves the receiver’s paddle. Determine where it is likely to land and move toward that area with controlled steps.
Do not volley the return.
As the ball approaches:
- Move into a comfortable position.
- Leave enough room between your body and the expected bounce.
- Let the ball contact the court.
- Track it as it rises.
- Prepare to play the third shot.
Once this bounce occurs, the ball has bounced once on each side of the net. The two-bounce requirement is now complete. Later contacts may be played either after a bounce or as a legal volley, subject to other applicable rules.
This distinction is useful for beginners: the second bounce completes the two-bounce requirement; the third shot is then played after that required bounce.
Play a Controlled Third Shot
The serving side’s next contact is the third shot because it is the third paddle contact of the rally:
1. Serve
2. Return
3. Third shot
For this lesson, the third shot does not need to be a special advanced stroke. Use an ordinary controlled groundstroke after the required bounce.
Track the return, position yourself with enough space to swing comfortably and allow the ball to bounce. Then use a forehand or backhand according to where the ball arrives.
Keep the action simple:
- Establish balance near the ball.
- Prepare a compact groundstroke.
- Contact the ball after the bounce.
- Send it over the net with manageable height and pace.
- Finish the stroke without an oversized follow-through.
- Recover your balance and bring the paddle back toward ready position.
Do not feel that the words third shot require you to perform a third-shot drop or an aggressive drive. Those are separate skills and decisions. Here, the third shot only needs to be controlled enough to continue the opening exchange.
A successful third shot for this practice is one that you can play safely and consistently while remaining balanced.
Continue into the Rally
After the third shot crosses the net, continue playing rather than stopping automatically.
The special opening bounce requirement has already been completed because the ball bounced once on the receiving side after the serve and once on the serving side after the return. From this point, use the rally skills you already know.
Track each incoming ball.
Move into position instead of reaching unnecessarily.
Use a forehand or backhand according to the ball’s location.
Give the ball useful net clearance.
Keep your pace manageable.
Recover after every contact and prepare for the next ball.
During this exercise, try to keep the rally cooperative. You are practicing the transition from the opening three contacts into normal rally play, not trying to finish the point as quickly as possible.
The full rhythm should begin to feel continuous:
serve → bounce → return → bounce → third shot → recover → continue the rally
You should eventually be able to complete that opening without needing someone to remind you when each required bounce occurs.
Recognize Where the Opening Sequence Broke Down
When the sequence ends early, identify the specific stage that failed before starting again.
For example:
The serve was not legal or did not reach the correct service court.
Reset and make another legal serve using your familiar serving method.
The receiver contacted the serve before it bounced.
Focus on tracking the serve all the way to the first required bounce.
The return went into the net or outside the court.
Reduce pace, use more comfortable net clearance and aim toward a broad court area.
The serving side contacted the return before it bounced.
Remember that the return must bounce on the serving side before the third shot is played.
The third shot went into the net or outside the court.
Simplify the groundstroke and reduce unnecessary force.
A player lost balance while rushing to the ball.
Slow the movement, use controlled steps and allow the repetition to end if reaching the ball would require unsafe movement.
The purpose of identifying the stage is to make the next correction simple. Do not rebuild every skill after one error. Correct the part of the sequence that failed, reset and try again.
Keep the Opening Sequence Controlled
The opening becomes much easier to learn when both players use manageable pace.
Use a serve you can repeat reliably.
Return toward a broad part of the court.
Give the serving side enough time to recognize the second required bounce and move into position.
Play a simple third shot rather than trying to create an advanced result.
Continue the rally with the same controlled approach.
Avoid aiming unnecessarily close to court lines. Large target areas provide more margin for error and allow both players to concentrate on the sequence.
Control also supports better movement. When the ball travels at a manageable pace, you have more time to track it, position yourself and regain balance before the next contact.
The three-shot sequence is not worth completing if doing so requires unsafe movement. Do not chase a ball into another player’s space, onto an active neighboring court or toward an obstacle. Clear stray balls from the playing area before starting another repetition.
Common Beginner Opening-Sequence Mistakes
Forgetting the First Required Bounce
What happens: The receiver moves toward the serve and contacts it before it touches the court.
Correction: Track the serve through its landing and begin the return only after seeing the first bounce.
Forgetting the Second Required Bounce
What happens: The serving side sees the return approaching and volleys it.
Correction: Track the return to the court. Let it bounce before playing the third shot.
Serving and Immediately Rushing Forward
What happens: The server moves too far forward before seeing where the return will land and has difficulty leaving room for the required bounce.
Correction: Recover after the serve, watch the return and move according to its actual path.
Rushing the Return
What happens: The receiver swings before establishing useful spacing and balance.
Correction: Let the serve bounce, use small positioning adjustments and make a controlled groundstroke.
Trying to Make the Third Shot Advanced
What happens: The player attempts a difficult drop, hard drive or precise shot instead of completing the sequence.
Correction: Use a simple controlled groundstroke. The goal is to connect the first three contacts.
Hitting Too Hard
What happens: The sequence repeatedly ends before both players can practice the complete opening.
Correction: Reduce pace and use broad targets.
Watching the Previous Shot
What happens: After serving, returning or hitting the third shot, the player remains focused on the outgoing ball instead of preparing for the next contact.
Correction: Finish the stroke, recover your balance, return the paddle toward ready position and track the next ball.
Adding Scoring Before the Sequence Is Reliable
Scoring is not an error in pickleball, but it can add an unnecessary task during this practice. First learn to complete the opening sequence without reminders. Keep the exercise focused on the serve, required bounces, return, third shot and transition into the rally.
Practice: Three-Shot Opening Progression
Use a clear pickleball court, paddles and several balls. Keep spare balls outside normal movement areas. At least two players are required.
Keep all serves, returns and third shots at a manageable pace.
Stage 1: Three Contacts Only
Complete the opening and then stop:
- Server prepares.
- Server makes a legal serve.
- Serve bounces on the receiving side.
- Receiver returns the ball.
- Return bounces on the serving side.
- Serving side plays the third shot.
- Stop the repetition.
After each attempt, briefly identify whether the serve, both required bounces and all three contacts occurred in the correct order.
Repeat until the sequence feels familiar.
Stage 2: Repeat the Opening
Perform several complete three-contact sequences at a consistent pace.
After several repetitions, switch roles so each player practices serving and receiving.
Do not increase speed simply because one repetition succeeds. Build consistency first.
Stage 3: Continue the Rally
Now complete the same opening, but do not stop after the third shot:
- Serve.
- Let the serve bounce.
- Return.
- Let the return bounce.
- Play the third shot.
- Recover and continue the rally cooperatively.
When the rally ends, retrieve the ball safely, return to the starting positions and begin another repetition.
Stage 4: Reduced Prompting
Remove verbal reminders such as “bounce” or “third shot.”
Complete the sequence without being told when either required bounce must occur.
The server should recover after serving.
The receiver should automatically allow the serve to bounce.
The serving side should automatically allow the return to bounce.
After the third shot, both sides should continue into the rally when possible.
Success standard: The learner can repeatedly complete legal serve-return-third-shot sequences and continue several of them naturally into ordinary rallies without prompting about the two required bounces.
Summary
The opening sequence contains three paddle contacts: serve, return and third shot.
Begin with a legal, repeatable serve.
The receiving side must let the serve bounce before returning it.
Return with a controlled forehand or backhand and recover after contact.
The serving side must let the return bounce before playing the third shot.
Once the ball has bounced once on each side, the two-bounce requirement has been completed.
Play the third shot as a controlled groundstroke and recover.
Continue into the rally using the basic tracking, movement, groundstroke and recovery skills you already know.
When the sequence fails, identify the specific stage, make one simple correction and reset.
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