Completely Change Your Pickleball Serve in 10 Minutes
Summary
PPA Tour pro Ava Ignatowich covers quick serve fixes. Open or closed stance are both fine (she prefers stepping into the court for power). For more power, push into the floor before you start the swing, which works even if you can’t get low. Most importantly, keep your head still and your eyes on the ball at contact, since lifting your head moves your shoulders and arms.
On targets, learn your opponent’s strong side in the first few points and be able to hit deep wide, short angle, T and body. The body serve forces a step back and a lot of pop-ups. Mix at least three serves each match, serve opposite to where they stand unless they’re baiting you, and aim with your front shoulder: closed for the T, open chest for wide. If you have the yips, loosen your grip and arm until you can hear the whoosh of a fluid swing.
Key takeaways
- Push into the floor before the swing for power
- Head still and eyes on the ball at contact
- Serve the body to force a step back
- Hit at least three different serves each match
- Aim with your front shoulder; loosen up to beat the yips
Action items
- Serve ten balls focusing only on keeping your head still at contact
- Practice hitting deep wide, short angle, T and body targets
- Use three different serves in your next match
- Shadow-swing until you hear the whoosh before serving