Tips for Improving Your Serve in Pickleball 

Pickleball is a fun sport to pick up with friends and family because it is fairly easy to get going. However, one of the hardest things about the sport, in particular, is perfecting your serve. Luckily, Boston Ski + Tennis is here to give you some great tips on how to improve pickleball serves. Once you’ve perfected your serve, you’ve got a great advantage in the game. Even just small adjustments can take your serve to a whole other level. Here are some pickleball tips, pickleball strategies, and more to improve your serve in pickleball, along with advice on common mistakes to avoid. Read on for more!

Here are the Basics of a Pickleball Serve

If you’ve ever played tennis, pickleball is pretty similar. There are some basics to keep in mind before you even get into the mechanics of how to improve pickleball serves. Here are what Boston Ski + Tennis recommends:

Try Perfecting the Pendulum Swing 

Think of your swing somewhat as a windmill. The best technique in pickleball is having your serve be kinda like a pendulum swing. Try swinging your paddle in a smooth, pendulum-like motion, making contact with the ball at its lowest point. This allows for better control over trajectory and spin.

Get a Proper Stance Down

It’s all in the feet! With pickleball, your stance is essential to a good serve. Position one foot firmly behind the baseline and ensure your stance is balanced for stability and precision. Your lead foot should be angled slightly toward the target area. Beginner players tend to have weak “lobby” serves. By pointing your contact point farther back in your stance, you will achieve much flatter shots, keeping the ball lower, going across the net. 

Keep Up With a Consistency

You have to have a pattern of sorts in your toss so that your mind knows where the ball is going to be every time. A consistent toss is a small detail that makes a big impact. When tossing the ball, focus on maintaining a smooth upward motion. Avoid tossing it too far forward or backward, as this can disrupt your rhythm and accuracy.

Angle Your Paddle Face Correctly Every Time

Keep your paddle face slightly open to achieve the optimal lift required to send the ball over the net. Proper paddle positioning not only improves accuracy but also minimizes the chance of hitting the ball into the net. Don’t be predictable when it comes to your pickleball serve. A lot of players tend to have the same serve over and over again. By mixing in different velocities, angles, and spin, you will keep your opponent guessing so they cannot sit back on the same serve each time. You should be trying to hit a different spot each time when you become more comfortable with your control.

Prioritize Placement Over Power

Power isn’t everything in pickleball. Actually, power is sometimes a player’s biggest downfall because the actual pickleball is so lightweight. A well-placed serve can put your opponent on the defensive right away. Also, noticing where your opponent is set up and where their weaknesses are can give you a an easy game plan. Focus on accuracy and aim for corners or areas of the service box your opponent may struggle to reach. Over time, experiment with spin techniques to keep your opponents guessing.

Most Common Pickleball Serving Mistakes 

Unfortunately, there are so many mistakes you can make in a pickleball game. The biggest ones usually fall under your serve. Things like incorrect tossing or foot faults are huge mistakes that even experienced players can fall into. Also, the height of a serve. If you serve it too high, it can give your competitor an easy reason to get points. We always recommend low serves for the most control. Another pickleball serving mistake is skipping through the follow-through. Not only does this affect your aim, but it can affect the placement of the ball and overall spin. Try extending your paddle upward and forward after you hit the ball. It’s important to just be aware of these mistakes, too, so you can keep it in mind before your next match.

Best Pickleball Tips to Help Your Pickleball Serve 

Still need help? Boston Ski + Tennis is here to give you some of the best tips we’ve come across to help all of our customers. First, add spin to your serve. It makes a big difference in giving your opponents a harder reaction time. Second, target weak spots. In pickleball, one of the biggest things you can do as a player is spot weak spots as soon as possible. So, observe your opponent and aim for their weaker side. For instance, serve to their backhand if it’s their less dominant return technique. The third tip is to vary your serve. Don’t always do the same one every time because then your competitor can determine how it’s going to go. Alternate between power serves, soft serves, and spin serves to keep your opponents on their toes. 

Invest in the Right Pickleball Paddle 

Of course, one of the things you can do to better your game is to invest in the right equipment. This is where we come in. Boston Ski + Tennis has recreational, competitive, and even pro series pickleball paddles, each designed for your level of skill. Not sure which paddle is right for you? Visit our in-person stores to try out our in-store demo program. There is a $30 fee to demo up to 2 premium paddles at a time. This $30 fee becomes a credit applied to your new paddle purchase. Here is some additional information:

• 7-day maximum check-out time per paddle
• 3 weeks of total demo time (unlimited number of paddles)
• 2 paddles may be taken at one time

Start Serving Up Success with Boston Ski + Tennis

Now that you know it all in terms of how to improve pickleball serves, you should be ready for your next game! Read more on our tips and tricks for other outdoor or indoor sports like tennis, racketball, and more. Boston Ski + Tennis can help you find the right equipment while also helping your technique. With the right gear and these serving tips, you’ll be one step closer to winning every game. Happy serving!