Pickleball 101: Serves, Returns, and the 4th Shot
How to serve in pickleball
How to return a serve in pickleball
Improve serve in pickleball
Pickleball 101
Serves, Returns, and the 4th Shot
By Scott P. | 5.0+ Player
Last Updated Jul 30, 2024
Summary: Want to improve your pickleball game? Our Pickleball 101 series will have you dominating the challenge courts in no time. In this article, we'll teach you the most important parts of serves, returns, and what we think is the most overlooked shot in pickleball.
We covered most of the tips in this article in a video on our Youtube channel. Watch the full video or read the article below for the highlights!
Serving Tip 1: Depth
Depth is the most important part of a serve. If you can hit it within the last 3 feet of the court, that's a great serve. It makes it harder for your opponent to return and can help force an error.
Serving Tip 2: Pace
You can generate pace by using your elbow and wrist as levers, rather than serving with your shoulder. Practice using a whipping motion with your elbow and wrist to add power and spin to your serve.
Serving Tip 3: Stance
Pick a stance and be consistent. An open stance tends to have more control, whereas a closed stance tends to have more power. You want to get your serve form down and then do it the same way every time to build muscle memory.
Serving Tip 4: Deep Down the Middle
Serve at the middle of where your opponent is standing (not the middle of the court). If you serve it at someone's feet, right down the middle of where they're standing, you're forcing them to move to hit the shot. If you serve to either side, that's in their strike zone and they don't have to move to hit the ball.
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Returns Tip 1: Depth
Depth is the most important part of a return as well. You might find success slicing your return against a lower level opponent, but as the level of play increases, it stops working. Minimize spin and don't hit it too hard so that your opponent has less to work with and you have more time to get to the kitchen.
Returns Tip 2: Forward Momentum
When returning, you want your momentum to carry you forward to the kitchen. Start one step back from the baseline so that you can return a deep serve and also push forward with your return.
The 4th Shot: Out of the Air
Adapt your 4th shot to your opponent's 3rd. Three common scenarios:
1) Hit a Roll Volley off a drop that's in the air
2) Aggressive return off the bounce
3) Concede the kitchen to a good drop
4) Punch volley off a drive
Watch the full video to see how these shots look in real life!
