The Power of the Serve: Elevate Your Pickleball Game

Pickleball is a fast-paced game. You have to have an edge even when the game is just starting and to start a game, you have to know how to serve.

What is a Pickleball Serve? 

A pickleball serve is the first shot at the start of the game. To determine who will serve first, a coin toss can be done.

Serving isn't just to start the game. A serve can set the game for you because it is a great step to gain an advantage against your opponent. If you do a serve right, it might lead to an unreturned serve or an ace, which will make you earn a score. 

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Types of Pickleball Serve

There are different types of pickleball serve. If you're a beginner, focus on the two primary and basic ones. These types of serves are legal unless you make a fault. 

Underhand Serve

The underhand serve uses the volley move by swinging in an arch motion from below the waist. The difference between this serve and a volley is with a serve, you hold the ball and hit it without dropping it. With a volley, you use this to return a shot to your opponent during a rally and you hit the ball before it bounces on the ground. You also can’t step on the kitchen or Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) in the pickleball court when doing a volley.

Rules of the Underhand Serve

1. The arm should swing in an upward arc. 
2. The ball must be hit from below the waist level. *Waist level is the navel area, no matter how you wear your clothes. 
3. The head of the paddle must be below your wrist level. 

How to Do an Underhand Serve

1. Stand behind the baseline. 
2. Hold the ball out and hit it from below the waist using an upward motion, making sure it travels diagonally toward your opponent's court. 

Drop Serve 

The rules of pickleball underhand serve don't apply to this type of serve. However, it passed as a legal serve because the ball will never bounce higher than the waist level so when you hit it, you're still hitting from below the waist. For the drop serve, you don't have to worry about the head of the paddle being below your wrist. 

How to Do a Drop Serve

1. Stand behind the baseline. 
2. Drop the ball. Don't throw it up or down, just drop it. You can drop it inside or outside the baseline, as long as YOU stand behind it.
3. Hit the ball with an upward or downward motion, making sure it travels diagonally towards your opponent's court. 

Additional Shots to Add to the Drop Serve

You can add other shots with the drop serve to mix it up a little and surprise your opponent. However, these shots can be a little tricky and require more practice. If you’re still a beginner, it’s better to stick to the more basic shots and master them before going for the more complicated shots.

• Forehand Drive with Topspin - when doing a forehand drive, you try to get as much power as you can. 
• Drop the ball from as high as possible to make a more powerful hit.
• Your arm should swing from below towards your left to give the ball a powerful spin.
  

• Side Spin - makes the ball curve from left to right or vice versa. Using this shot can make the ball curve into your opponent or away from them.
• Swing your paddle from one side across your body to the other. The paddle must hit the ball from one side to the other to create a curve.
  

• Backspin or Slice Serve - makes the ball stay lower.
• Swing your paddle from high to low in a slicing motion. Hit the ball from one side to the other to create a curve.
  

• Lob - a shot that goes high overhead that’s intended to drop by your opponent’s baseline.
• Swing your paddle from low to high, resembling a volley, to make a high arc.

Important Notes to Remember  When Serving 

• Stand behind the baseline for it to be legal. 
• The ball must travel diagonally to the other side. 
• After the serve, don't go immediately towards the kitchen. Stay by the baseline and anticipate your opponent's return of serve. 
• If you’re playing singles, you will serve from the right side of your court if your score is an even number and serve from the left if your score is odd.
• If you’re playing doubles, you get to serve once and then your partner will serve next (unless a fault is made).
• The first serve is always made on the right side of your court. If you score, the server will then make the serve from the left side of the court.

Illegal Serve

An illegal serve in pickleball is when you don’t do a serve correctly. It wouldn’t count and you will have to do it again properly. 

*An illegal serve is different from a fault. When a fault is made, the serve will then go to your opponent.

• The paddle hits the ball above the waist level.
• The paddle head is higher than the wrist level.
• For a drop serve, the ball can’t be thrown or propelled before being hit.

Tips on Making a Better Serve

• Observe Your Opponent 

  Watch your opponent for their strengths and weaknesses. Use their weakness to your advantage.

• Mix It Up

  Don’t be afraid to mix up your styles and use different kinds of serves to surprise your opponent. If you take your opponent by surprise, you can achieve an ace.

• Practice Your Stance 

  Try out different kinds of positions to figure out which works best for you.

• Experiment with Your Grips

  The most common grip that's used is the continental grip and it works for most players. If it works for you too, that's great! If you want to try out different grips and see what works best for you, that's fine too. Don't be afraid to experiment.

• Keep Practicing

  You know what they say, practice makes perfect. If you want to become one of the best pickleball players, you have to keep practicing to enhance your skills and master the shots. Always remember that patience is also the key to perfecting your shots.

• Watch Matches

  You can watch your previous matches if you recorded them to review what your strengths and areas of improvement are. You can also check live streams of tournament matches from the PPATour, Minto US Open Pickleball, or USAPA Pickleball championships to watch other players play, especially professional pickleball players like Ben Johns or Anna Leigh Waters. Usually, these major tournaments upload the recorded matches on their official websites, but you can also try pickleball streaming services like PickleballTV or the Pickleball Channel.

Best Pickleball Paddles for Serve

Picking the right pickleball paddle is essential when playing. You want a paddle that gives you an edge during your game and enhances your swings. When doing a serve, you need optimal control and spin if you're trying to do the drop shots. Of course, you’re not only going to choose a paddle based on how it performs during a serve, rather, you want to check its overall impact on your game. Check out some of the best pickleball paddles for control, spin, and touch that are lightweight, have generous sweet spots, and won’t break the bank.

101 Pickleball Zen Control

The 101 Pickleball Zen Control is the best pickleball paddle for spin and control. It is also lightweight to help you maneuver it easily. You need maximum control when doing a serve to set the game in your favor. With its lightweight design, and focus on control and spin, you have a high chance of doing an ace.

Check out 101 Pickleball’s Zen Control paddle for maximum spin and control.

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro-C 14.3

Another best pickleball paddle for spin and control is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. If you’re aiming to master your underhand and drop shots, this is a great paddle for that. This paddle is also great with forgiveness and has options for its weight so you can choose which you prefer.

Onix Z5

If you want the best pickleball paddle for control and touch, the Onix Z5 is the one. This lightweight paddle is great for when you want to feel the ball when it hits the paddle. This touch paddle is best for making soft and precise shots, like a lob.

Engage Encore Pro

Another best pickleball paddle for control and power is the Engage Encore Pro. 

Gamma Needle

The Gamma Needle pickleball paddle is an elongated paddle that focuses on control. Not only does it offer an aesthetic design, but it also gives you a longer reach.

At this point, hopefully, you have a better understanding of what a serve in pickleball is and why it's important. The serve is what sets the game for you. If you do it right, you start the game right and even immediately win a score by unreturned serve. Embrace its power and keep on serving.

FAQs About Pickleball Serves

1. What are the key differences between the underhand serve and the drop serve in pickleball?
The underhand serve is executed by swinging the paddle in an upward motion while holding the ball below waist level, making it a controlled and strategic shot. In contrast, the drop serve involves simply dropping the ball and hitting it from any point, ensuring it never bounces above waist level. The drop serve is more forgiving of technical errors, as it does not require the paddle to be below the wrist level, making it easier for beginners to master. Both serves are legal if executed correctly but serve different strategic purposes.

2. How can I improve the accuracy of my serves?
Improving your serve accuracy involves a combination of proper technique, consistent practice, and mental focus. Start by refining your stance and grip—experimenting with different grips, such as the continental grip, can make a difference. Focus on your target area when serving; visualizing the desired landing spot can help increase your precision. Additionally, regular practice on your serve will build muscle memory, enhancing your control over time. Watching recorded matches, including your own, can also provide insights into where you might improve.

3. What are some common mistakes to avoid when serving in pickleball?
Several common mistakes can undermine a player's serve:

• Hitting above waist level: Always ensure that the ball is struck below your waist.
• Incorrect paddle positioning: The paddle head must remain below the wrist level during the serve.
• Not following through: A proper follow-through can help maintain accuracy and spin.
• Rushing the serve: Take your time to set up and focus before serving; a rushed serve often leads to faults. By recognizing these mistakes and addressing them, you can improve your serving performance.

4. How does my score impact my serving side in singles and doubles?
In singles pickleball, players serve from the right side of the court when their score is even and from the left when it is odd. In doubles, the server always starts from the right side regardless of the score. After a successful point, the serving team rotates positions, allowing the next player to serve. It’s essential to keep track of your score and position, as serving from the wrong side can lead to faults.

5. What strategies can I use to make my serves more unpredictable?
To keep your opponent guessing, mix up your serving styles. Utilize a combination of underhand serves, drop serves, and more advanced shots like side spin or topspin serves. You can also vary the placement of your serves by targeting different areas of the court. For example, serving deep to the backline can force your opponent to make a challenging return, while a short serve can catch them off guard. Additionally, watch your opponent's stance and adjust your serves based on their weaknesses to enhance your chances of scoring.

6. Can you provide tips for practicing my serve effectively?
Effective serve practice can be broken down into a few key components:

• Warm-up: Always start with a warm-up to prevent injuries.
• Set goals: Focus on specific aspects of your serve during each practice session, such as accuracy, speed, or spin.
• Use targets: Set up cones or markers on the opposite side of the court to aim for when serving, helping improve your precision.
• Record yourself: Videoing your serves allows you to analyze your technique and make necessary adjustments.
• Practice regularly: Consistency is crucial; dedicate time each week to serve practice to build confidence and muscle memory.

7. How can the choice of paddle affect my serve in pickleball?
The choice of pickleball paddle plays a significant role in your serving performance. A paddle that offers a good balance of weight, control, and touch can enhance your ability to execute various serves effectively. Lightweight paddles allow for quicker swings and easier maneuverability, while paddles designed for spin can help add complexity to your serves. Look for paddles that have generous sweet spots and are suited to your playing style to maximize your serve's potential.

8. How to Serve in Pickleball?
To serve in pickleball, the player must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball underhand. The paddle must strike the ball below the waist, and the ball must travel diagonally across the court, landing in the opposite service box. The serve must clear the non-volley zone (kitchen) and not touch the net. The server continues serving until they lose a point, at which point the serve transfers to the opponent.