D
eveloping a strong and consistent serve is
one of the most simple and valuable things
you can do to improve your game. This
article focuses on some common mistakes
that players make in executing their serve—
and how to properly address them.
The serve is considered one of the most important
shots in the game for two reasons: First, you can only
score points when serving; and second, the serve dictates
how your opponent responds to the point.
Oftentimes, players just want to drop the serve in—
without a real plan. By planning and simplifying the
service motion, you can greatly impact your effectiveness.
In this article, we’ll discuss how the serve is an extension
of the rest of your game. We’ll also go over contact point,
weight transfer, swing, etc.
Here are the most common service mistakes I’ve
seen, and how to address them:
Contact point and ball release.
Ideally, the contact point for your serve is well in front
of your body so you can swing your paddle into the ball
using the momentum from your shoulder. If a player
is bent over from the hips (often due to trying to make
contact below the waist), the paddle contact is often close
to the hips instead of in front of the player. You’ll want
your arm to relax and fully extend on contact instead
of having to scoop the ball from behind your body from
elbow or wrist.
A player will often hold on to the ball for too long
and release it too low. When releasing the ball, take
your non-dominant hand and extend it in front of you
so your paddle will create speed and acceleration
through the ball on contact. Your contact point would
be about an arm’s length away in front of the body.
This will allow the ball to stay on the paddle longer—
creating consistency and depth.
Moving the head while swinging.
If you’re looking down at the ball with your head and
moving it up as you swing (to follow the ball), it will create
issues connecting with the ball properly and moving your
weight through it. If your ball release and contact point
are in front of your body, you can look down with your eyes
while keeping your head still through contact. It is ideal to
keep your chin away from your chest for added stability.
Positioning and moving prior to contact.
A lot of potential issues are created when a player is
turned sideways before hitting the serve. In general,
it’s more difficult to time the transfer of weight with
your arms, hips and body if you begin your swing from a
sideways position. Stepping before you swing can also
cause timing issues.
If a player is having trouble with direction or distance
(missing serves long or wide), the pre-serve movement
could be the issue.
When setting up for a serve,
point the tips of both your
shoes in the direction of your
target—with your opposite
leading in front (left leg in
front, if you are right-handed).
This will set your hips and
chest facing the direction you
want to swing.
Next, your weight should
move from the back foot to
front with your hips finishing
toward your target. If your
back foot lifts up and the
undersole points toward the
back fence, that means your
weight transferred forward.
This will allow for more consistency with direction and
more paddle head speed as you swing. It will also create
the same motion on the left or right side of the court,
increasing consistency and paddle control.
So take an honest look at your serve and the results
you’re getting. Then begin utilizing your whole body to
create more consistency, range and power. •
Five-Time National Pickleball
Champion Sarah Ansboury is
Education Consultant and Lead
Clinician for Professional Pickleball
Registry (PPR) as well as a 5.5 tennis
player and former NCAA women’s
tennis coach. She is a two-time US
Open Pickleball Champion and a
sponsored HEAD Pro Player. Sarah
is currently the Touring Professional
and Director of Pickleball Instruction
at Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton
Head Island, SC.
MAY/JUNE 2019 |
MAGAZINE
55