How to Serve in Pickleball
Here is a look at arguably the most important shot in pickleball, one that can yield great gains with an improved understanding, and a reasonable amount of practice.
The serve in pickleball is a critical shot to learn and gain proficiency with, if one hopes to improve as a player. The importance of the serve stems from the fact that with side out scoring in pickleball, the team serving is the only side capable of scoring points, hence the need to maintain that advantage as long as possible.
Here are some quick points as it relates to the serve.
The serve must be hit with an upward swinging motion, the contact point being below the server's waist.
The server stands behind the baseline and inside the sideline and center line, and serves diagonally cross court, past the kitchen line, to the opposite quadrant.
The server and their partner should both be located deep in the court, at or on the baseline, because the returner's shot must bounce before it can be played by the serving team. A return of serve cannot be volleyed out of the air.
The side from which the serve is hit alternates (right or left), opposite the side that the previous serve was played.
Both partners will have the chance to serve following a side out, the designated #1 server will always begin serving on the right hand side, and the #2 server will begin on the opposite side from where the first server last served, and lost their point.
General strategy components: The most effective serves in pickleball tend to be deeper and closer to the baseline, as that limits the returning team from being able to make their way to the kitchen line; hoping to avoid a shorter more indifferent serve, that can act as an invitation to take the kitchen line, the more desirable parts of the pickleball court.
Good pickleball is played with both partners at the kitchen line, where they can inflict the most damaging shots.
The stance for the pickleball serve is most effective when the server has the back leg drawn back (imagine the way a bowler would execute their arm release), rather than standing square facing the target, which can promote a tugging of the serve wider than intended. If you imagine how you would position your lower body in order to toss a ball underhand the furthest distance possible, then you are on your way to establishing a strong base for your service motion.
A little practice goes a long way... The good news is that the serve is a relatively easy shot to practice in that it doesn't require an opponent or even a partner.
If you have any questions regarding the serve or anything else pickleball related, please don't hesitate to reach out to your Silverado Professional Staff. Hope to see you on the courts!