You have probably asked yourself “How to improve at serving in Pickleball?”. Well, you have come to the right place. A strong and reliable serve in pickleball sets the tone for the entire game. The serve is the only time in the game where you have full control of the ball, so why not use this opportunity to get some say points. Whether you’re looking to add more power, increase spin, or achieve greater consistency in your serve, refining your serve can give you a significant advantage in the game. In this article, I will discuss and provide some tips as to how you can improve your pickleball serve.
1. Master the Basics
Before adding advanced techniques, ensure your fundamental serve mechanics are solid. The reason for this is because the basics give you a firm foundation when it comes to the serve. If you have only played a few times then mastering the basics is all you need at the moment. The basics help you have proper technique and allow you to add some advanced techniques later on in your pickleball journey. Some of the basic thing you need to master before moving to advanced techniques are:
- Grip: The way you hold your paddle is really important when it comes to the serve. I suggest that beginners use either a continental grip or eastern grip for better control of the ball.
- Stance: How you stand can affect where the ball goes, so to to make it easier try have a neutral stance. Position your feet shoulder-width apart for balance and stability and stand facing your opponent.
- Swing Path: Having a smooth swing path for the serve allows you to build up consistency in your serve and get comfortable with the motion of the serve. Try to maintain a fluid, upward motion to create a clean serve.
- Contact Point: The ball reacts differently depending on where the ball makes contact on the paddle. Try to serve in such a way that when you swing, the ball hits the center of the face. You also need to remember that in pickleball you need to strike the ball below your waist for the serve to be valid. A tip I can give is try to hot the ball in front of your body for optimal placement.
2. Generate More Power
Now once you have the basics mastered, its time to have a bit of fun with the serve. One way you can do that is by adding some extra power to your serve. Powerful serves put pressure on your opponents and limit their return options. In the beginning, it will be a bit uncontrollable and you won’t be as consistent with it but once you get comfortable with the added power you will be lethal on the court. Some ways you can add power to your serves:
- Engage Your Legs: One thing people do not think about when adding power is the use of your legs. We, as players, naturally think that swinging faster adds power. However, using your legs can easily add power without adding a lot of effort. The way to do that is by bending your knees and pushing off the ground for added momentum.
- Follow Through: If you do not follow through on your serves and stop the moment you hit the ball, you are losing some valuable power. The follow-through allows you to add power and a bit of spin to the ball which will help the ball dip and stay in the court. The way to get used to adding a follow-through is by extending your arm fully after striking the ball to maximize the force of your swing.
- Use Your Core: If you play golf, you’ll understand this concept. If you do not follow or play golf, let me explain. Using your core muscles and rotating your torso gives you additional speed without over-exporting your arm and getting injured. One way to get comfortable with this movement is stand up straight and rotate to the left, and then quickly to the right. Use your core and hips to rotate your torso, it may feel weird but you’ll notice how fast you can go with minimal effort.
- Perfect Timing: This one gets easier the more you play but hitting the ball at the peak of your swing will give you the the strongest impact. The reason for this is that at the peak of your swing is where the paddle is traveling the fastest.
3. Add Spin for Deception
Another way to make your serve lethal on the court is by adding spin to the ball. Spin can make your serve more unpredictable and harder to return. Keep in mind that adding spin is not easy to do in the beginning because you can miss hit the ball and lose some easy points so I recommend you get used to it first before trying it in a competition. There are several different spin techniques you can use to confuse your opponent. Naturally you, as a player, will gravitate to one and have a preferred technique but knowing a few never hurt. Try these techniques:
- Topspin Serve: Brush up on the ball as you strike to create forward spin. This spin makes the ball dip quickly. The topspin serve allows you to hit really hard serves while keeping the ball in the court.
- Slice Serve: Angle your paddle slightly to create a side spin on the ball. This type of spin is a bit slower than the topspin serve however, with this serve the ball curves. Depending on the side of the court you stand you can curve it either towards the center of the court or to the outside of the court. These will force your opponent out of position early.
- Kick Serve: This technique is more advanced because it combines topspin and slice to make the ball bounce unpredictably. This is quite difficult to control so take caution when using this serve.
Below is a video explaining these spin techniques in depth:
4. Improve Consistency
One of the key ways to get a great serve is to build consistency with your serve. The reason for that is so that you don’t need to think about it, you just do it. With consistency also comes the ability to place the ball where you want it to land. A reliable serve ensures you stay in control and avoid unforced errors. Increase consistency by:
- Repetition: Practice serves regularly to build muscle memory.
- Target Practice: Aim for specific spots on the court to improve accuracy.
- Control Your Toss: Keep your toss consistent to ensure a predictable ball strike.
- Relax Your Grip: Avoid gripping the paddle too tightly to maintain fluid motion.
5. Develop a Strategic Approach
Now that you have all the tool for a great serve, you can start to build strategies with the serve. So when I play I have a go-to serves depending on where I play, I also have serves I go to when I fault the first serve. For example when I am on the right side, my go to is a topspin serve, and my second serve on the right is more of a slice serve that curves to the outside of the court. Consider these tactics next time you are on the court:
- Mix It Up: Alternate between power, spin, and placement to keep your opponent off balance.
- Observe Your Opponent: Identify their weaknesses and adjust your serve accordingly.
- Utilize Deep Serves: Serve close to the baseline to push your opponent back and limit their return options.
- Control the Tempo: Use different speeds to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.
Final Thoughts
Improving your pickleball serve takes practice, technique, and strategy. By focusing on power, spin, and consistency, you’ll develop a more effective and versatile serve. Incorporate these tips into your training, and soon, your serve will become a key weapon in your game.
Start practicing today and watch your pickleball performance soar!
