Pickleball Serve Basics: Tips for Beginners

Photo by Bruce Yeung; IG:@yeungphotography

Hey guys, it’s Kyle from ThatPickleballGuy. If you’re a beginner struggling with your serve or just a player who wants to improve, this article is for you. Stick around until the very end because I have a secret to share about something I’m currently working on at the pro level that could help you too. Before we dive into serve techniques, placement, power, and all that, the first thing you need to know is the serve rules in pickleball.

First, both of your feet must be behind the baseline while serving. One foot can hover over the line, but one foot must always be on the ground when you make contact with the ball. You can’t jump and serve—you must serve underhand. There are some nuances here: the paddle face must make contact with the ball below your wrist and waist. However, the general rule is that you must serve underhand. Another option is the drop serve, but just make sure you drop the ball; you can’t throw it down to make it bounce higher.

When serving, the ball must go diagonally across the net and land beyond the kitchen line (Figure 1). If it lands on the kitchen line, it’s a fault. But if it hits any line beyond the kitchen, you’re good.

(Figure 1)

Now, before we get into technique, let’s cover four main principles you need to understand: consistency, depth, placement, and power.

1. Consistency: Make sure you’re landing your serves in the court. If you’re missing half your serves, you’re not doing it well.
2. Depth: Whether you hit the ball softly or with power, getting the ball deep into the court makes for a good serve.
3. Placement: Consider where to direct the serve, whether to pull your opponent wide or target their backhand.
4. Power: If you can add pace to your serve, you can push your opponent back and gain an advantage for your third shot.

Now, let’s get into some technique. There are two main types of serves: the drop serve and the toss serve. We’ll start with the drop serve since many beginners find it easier. However, if you’re comfortable with the toss serve, feel free to start there. For either serve, I’ll give you a three-point checklist: feet, hands, and swing path. This checklist is more for when you’re practicing; during actual play, it should become automatic with time.

Starting with the drop serve:

1. Feet: For a right-handed player, position your left foot at a 45-degree angle and your right foot parallel to the baseline (Figure 2).

(Figure 2) ThatPickleballGuy

This stance allows you to twist your hips and generate power. Some advanced players, like Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau, use a different footwork setup, but the basics I’m teaching work for beginners.

1. Hands: Keep your arm extended straight with the ball in hand before you drop to create a consistent and repeatable motion. When you drop the ball, make sure your feet stay behind the baseline.
2. Swing Path: Hold the paddle with a Continental grip, like a handshake (Figure 3).

(Figure 3) ThatPickleballGuy

As you drop the ball, squat slightly, twist, and rise while making contact with the ball. The tip of the paddle should be directed toward your target when you finish the swing.

For the toss serve:

1. Feet, hands, and swing path follow the same principles. Instead of dropping the ball, you toss it gently in front of you, not too high, while twisting your core to generate power.

If you want to add more power to your serve, focus on shifting your weight from the back foot to the front foot and lifting through the ball at contact. Additionally, a core twist, using your body’s rotation, can further increase your serve speed—similar to a baseball or football player generating force through rotational power.

A secret I’ve discovered after a year and a half of playing at the pro level is the value of having a pre-serve routine. I used to play basketball, and having a consistent free-throw routine helped center my mind. In pickleball, a routine can prevent laziness and help you stay focused. For example, you could try two bounces, a deep breath, and then serve.

I hope this article helped you learn how to serve better. Remember, you won’t improve just by reading; you need to practice. Once you’ve got your serve down, check out my other articles on doubles strategy that every new player should know.

Think you know pickleball inside and out? Challenge yourself with ThatPickleball IQ Test and see if you can score a perfect 10 out of 10! 

See you guys next time 👊🏻