Foundations · Skill 2 of 8

Serve

Pickleball gives you one serve, so a repeatable, legal, deep serve is worth more than pace, and accuracy comes first.

Think about this while you play

Contact below waist, paddle head below wrist, upward arc
Same ball drop or release point every serve
Smooth pendulum swing from the shoulder; aim deep, then step in

Where to stand and aim

Serve crosscourt into the deep part of their box, then stay back: the return has to bounce before you play it.Your team Opponents Shot Move

Common mistakes and fixes

Inconsistent toss or drop: ball released too far back or at a different height each timeWall-Toss: stand close to a wall and release so the ball drops near it without touching, landing within a 6-inch target 15 times.

Stiff arm: jerky, hitchy swing and short servesThe Pendulum Swing: let the paddle swing freely from the shoulder to feel its weight, 20 fluid swings with no hitch.

Panic swing or poor balance: rushing and falling sideways after contactBack-Foot Balance: shadow the full serve on your back leg with the front foot hovering, 10 swings without losing balance.

In the app

For subscribers

The Precision Toss and Full Motion Serve drill, a 10-minute warm-up, and a challenge you can count in your next open play, so you know when you've got it.

Practice it, don't just read it

Pickleball Game Plan gives you one skill at a time with a drill, a warm-up and a challenge you can count, plus gym and match-day plans.

Try 7 days free