In pickleball, the serve is the only shot you have 100% control over. Yet, many players treat it simply as a way to start the point. By optimizing your serve, you can force weak returns and set your team up for an easy third-shot drop or drive. Here are 5 tips to level up your serve.
1. Prioritize Depth Over Speed
A fast serve that lands short is an easy put-away for your opponent. A slower, looping serve that lands right on the baseline forces your opponent backward, making their return much more difficult. Always aim for the back third of the court.
2. Utilize a Pre-Serve Routine
Consistency is key. Bounce the ball twice, take a deep breath, or tap your paddle—whatever it is, do the same thing before every single serve. This builds muscle memory and calms the nerves during high-pressure points.
3. Try the Drop Serve
The rules of pickleball allow for a "drop serve," where you drop the ball from any height and hit it after it bounces. This removes the complex rules regarding paddle angle and navel height required in a volley serve, allowing you to slice or put extreme topspin on the ball legally.
4. Add Topspin
Hitting a serve with heavy topspin forces the ball to dip aggressively over the net and kick forward upon bouncing. This pushes your opponent back and often results in them popping the return up high.
5. Target the Backhand
For 90% of recreational players, the backhand is the weaker side. Serving deep to your opponent's backhand is one of the most reliable ways to force a short, easily attackable return.
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