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Serve like a champion
Paul from Pickleball Daily
March 16, 2026
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Tip of the day
World number one Federico Staksrud shares the technical evolution of his serve, emphasizing a shift from simple ball placement to aggressive, high-velocity strikes.
Modern pickleball requires a powerful, deep serve to prevent opponents from returning the ball with heavy pace, which complicates your third-shot options.
Generating elite power starts with a closed stance and significant hip rotation, acting as a kinetic engine for the entire serving motion.
Rather than swinging straight up or purely forward, aim for a 45-degree angle to perfectly balance raw speed with heavy topspin.
Heavy topspin causes the ball to kick upon landing, making it significantly harder for returners to maintain their balance as they move toward the net.
Coach Austin Hardy breaks down Staksrud's use of an eastern forehand grip with an index finger extended for enhanced stability and sweet-spot awareness.
Staksrud's motion resembles a "Nike swish" or a roller coaster, building speed continuously from the moment the paddle begins its downward path.
Practicing with varied heights over the net helps you find the specific trajectory that keeps your most powerful serves within the back two feet of the court.
A "windshield wiper" hand motion at the point of contact adds a final burst of speed and rotation to the ball.
In a match setting, you should rely on your pre-match reps and focus on a target spot rather than overthinking your technical form.
Consistency is forged in practice through high-volume drilling, allowing the mechanical details to become an automatic part of your ritual.
Key Points:
Transition to a closed stance to leverage hip rotation as the primary source of serving power.
Strike the ball at a 45-degree angle to achieve a professional balance of velocity and topspin.
Use an eastern forehand grip with an extended index finger to improve control and accuracy on the sweet spot.
Focus on hitting roughly 4 feet above the net to ensure your serves land deep near the baseline.
Implement a fast windshield wiper motion with your hand at contact to maximize the ball's kick.
Deal of the day
Meme of the day
Happens to all of us 🤣
That’s it for today! As always, thank you for reading. 🙏
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Happy pickling,
Paul