Start The Point Strong: Perfect Your Pickleball Serve

Learn how to serve with consistency, accuracy, and strategy to take control of every point.

What Is the Serve in Pickleball?

Sets the tone of the point

Every point starts with the serve in pickleball. It’s an underhand shot that must land in the opponent’s diagonal service box. Though not meant to be overpowering, a great serve applies pressure, sets up offensive play, and prevents easy returns.

Legal Serving Rules

Learn the lines and learn the strategy

For a serve to be valid, a serve must:

  • Be made underhand, with the paddle below the waist (navel level).
  • Contact is made below the wrist.
  • Land in the diagonal service court opposite of the server.
  • Be hit with one continuous motion (no pauses or fakes).
  • Be delivered with at least one foot behind the baseline and not touching the court.

There are two main types of serves:

  • Volley Serve: Hitting the ball out of the air without letting the ball bounce.
  • Drop Serve: Let the ball bounce once before hitting it, usually easier for beginners.

Common Mistake

High Ball Toss

May cause timing issues and illegal height contact

A high toss can cause inconsistent swings. Keep the toss low and controlled just enough to meet your paddle in one smooth motion.

Poor Contact Point

Illegal or ineffective serves often start here

If you hit the ball above your waist or with an open wrist, your serve may be faulted. Keep the paddle below your core and your wrist remains firm and lower than the paddle head at contact.

Lack of Depth and Direction

Weak serves = easy returns

Short or floaty serves give opponents the upper hand. Aim deep into the back third of the service box. Swing from low to high and drive through the ball without pushing the ball up.

How to Perform a Pickleball Serve

Concentrate on form while using the right amount of force

To have a consistent and legal serve:

  • Have your feet behind the baseline
  • Hold the ball out in front of you at waist height
  • Use an underhand motion to swing from low to high
  • Contact the ball below your waist
  • Follow through forward, aiming diagonally across the net
  • Keep your eyes on the ball
  • Finish the follow through and get ready for the return

Serve Variations to Add to Your Game

Keep your opponent guessing
  • Topspin Serve: Brush up on the ball to make it dive fast after bouncing
  • Slice Serve: Cut across the ball for side spin and unpredictable bounces
  • Drop Serve: Great for beginners or changing rhythm during a match
  • High-Deep Serve: Forces your opponent to back up or mishit

Mixing up serve styles can throw off your opponent’s timing and positioning.

Serve Strategy Tips

Take control of your serve to control the point
  • Target your opponent’s backhand side, their weaker side
  • Serve deep with a lot of pace to push them back
  • Occasionally serve it short to disrupt thier positioning
  • Use spin and placement rather than just power

Your serve should never be predictable. Control your opponents movement with a well placed serve.

Perfect Your Serve With These Drills

Repetition with purpose
  • Target Serving: Position cones in the service boxes and focus on target precision.
  • Deep Serve Drill: Practice hitting the ball within 3ft from the baseline of the service box. Aim for the corners for better placement.
  • Spin Practice: Experiment with changing grips and paddle angles to master spin serves. Use different amount of power depending on the angle.
  • Consistency Reps: Serve 20–30 balls in a row, focusing on form as well as speed.

Your Pickleball Technique Toolkit

Backhand

The shot on your non-dominant side

dink

A soft shot with a big impact

drills

Repetition with intention

drive

A fast-paced, offensive shot

drop

A soft landing that sets you up for success

flick

A sudden, aggressive shot from a neutral position

Forehand

Your go-to shot for control and power

Lob

High shot to move opponents backward

Overhead

Powerful smash to finish the point

punch volley

A quick, compact volley that redirects pace

Reset

Soft shot to slow play and regain control

Return

Deep shot to push opponents back

roll

A topspin-heavy shot designed to dip quickly and kick high

serve

The first shot that sets the tone

spin

Control the ball’s bounce, flight, and direction

transitioning

The space between defense and offense

Frequently Asked Questions

A legal pickleball serve must be underhand, with the paddle below the waist and wrist at contact. The ball must land in the diagonal service box, and the server must keep at least one foot behind the baseline without touching the court.

To serve consistently, focus on a low, controlled toss, maintain proper foot positioning behind the baseline, and use a smooth underhand swing from low to high. Keep your eyes on the ball and follow through diagonally.

Pickleball serves include the volley serve (hit out of the air) and the drop serve (hit after a bounce). Advanced variations include topspin, slice, and high-deep serves to add unpredictability.

Common faults include hitting above the waist, using an open wrist, or stepping on the baseline. Ensure your paddle stays below your core and your wrist is firm and lower than the paddle head at contact.

To add spin, use a brushing motion for topspin or slice across the ball for side spin. These techniques create unpredictable bounces and can disrupt your opponent’s timing.

Effective serve strategy includes targeting your opponent’s backhand, mixing deep and short serves, and using spin and placement to keep them off balance. Avoid predictability to control the point.

Yes, the drop serve allows the ball to bounce before contact, making timing and control easier for new players. It’s a great way to build confidence while staying within legal rules.

Aim for the back third of the service box to apply pressure and reduce easy returns. Deep serves force opponents to move back and can lead to mishits or weak returns.

Mistakes include high ball tosses, poor contact points, and lack of depth. These lead to faults or weak serves. Keep tosses low, contact below the waist, and aim deep with purpose.

A strong serve initiates offensive play, applies pressure, and limits your opponent’s options. It’s not about power; it’s about placement, spin, and consistency to control the point from the start.

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