Tip of the day

How to Weaponize Your Serve

PlayPickleball shares essential techniques to transform your serve from a simple point-starter into a strategic weapon that puts immediate pressure on your opponents.

Depth is the single most important factor for an effective serve, as it pins the receiver back and makes their return much more difficult.

Achieving consistent depth requires a balanced combination of power and height, rather than just hitting the ball as hard as possible.

To generate effortless power, avoid "army" serves by pointing your lead shoulder toward the target to fully engage your core muscles.

Maintaining a comfortable distance between your body and the ball at contact is vital for maximizing your leverage and swing speed.

Keeping your arm and wrist loose allows for a natural whipping motion, which is far more effective for generating pace than a stiff, muscled swing.

Leading with the butt cap of your paddle creates "lag," a pro-level technique that adds significant velocity to the ball upon impact.

A full follow-through that ends near your opposite shoulder ensures you are driving through the ball with your entire body weight.

Engaging your back hip during the forward motion of the swing provides the foundational strength needed for a heavy, deep serve.

Practicing the serve motion by throwing a ball can help you develop the correct "feel" for wrist lag and weight transfer.

Key Points:

• Prioritize hitting your serves deep into the opponent's court to limit their offensive return options.

• Point your front shoulder at your target to ensure your core is involved in the power generation process.

• Hold the ball approximately one paddle-length away from your body to find your ideal "power zone" for contact.

• Focus on staying relaxed in your upper body to facilitate a loose, whipping motion through the hitting zone.

• Drive your back hip forward as you swing to transition your weight effectively and increase the heavy feel of your serve.

Watch the full tutorial here.

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Happy pickling,

Paul