You might be thinking, “It’s just the serve, right? What’s the big deal?” But the serve sets the stage for the entire point, and how you start can significantly impact how the point plays out.
It’s not just about getting the ball in play on the serve—it’s about using strategy to gain an early advantage.
This Pickleball serve overview post in the Pickleball 3.5 Blog is the opening post on the serve and is very elementary. As you read through subsequent posts on the serve you will see there is a lot to consider.
If you are just starting to play pickleball and need a better understanding of the rules, check the Rules post.
The serve may seem straightforward, but its nuances can be critical in setting up the return of serve, third shot and dinking, which are often where the point is decided.
Even if some of the principles in this section feel familiar, they serve as a reminder of the fundamentals and may introduce perspectives you haven’t fully considered. Let’s explore how you think about, effectively execute, and minimize errors in this stage-setting start to the point.
Scoring in pickleball isn’t easy, and that’s by design. When you’re serving, your opponents already have the upper hand—one of them is up at the kitchen line, ready to defend, while you and your partner are back at the baseline.
It’s your job to work your way forward and break through their defense, and it all starts with a solid serve.
Offensive Starting Positions
The illustration below shows player setup at the start of a point.
Offensive Player A serves from behind the baseline to Player D into their service court. The serve can hit any of the lines in the service court except the kitchen line. The kitchen line is considered to be in the kitchen and the serve cannot land in the kitchen.
Offensive Player B is prepared and positioned behind the baseline alongside the server Player A.
It is important for the offensive players to maintain their positions behind the baseline after the serve.
They need to let the serve return bounce and if the return shot is driven hard and deep at them, being on the court will make it difficult to handle this serve return.
Defensive Starting Positions
Near the net at the kitchen line stands defensive Player C. You should be right at the line and not giving up an inch. This is a significant point that many beginner players don’t follow. As you read posts in this blog you will understand better how critical this positioning at the kitchen line is.
Defensive Player D awaits the serve behind the baseline.
Player D should be ready and considering where/how they will play their return of serve and getting to the kitchen line to join their partner.
Both defensive players should be thinking, “I have the advantage and will not let the offense score a point”.
Tips for the serve when just starting to play
-Hit your serve as deep as you can.
-Hit the serve with plenty of loft to clear the net. Trying to hit low and hard trying for a winner is risky and unnecessary when just learning to play.
-Just get it in. You are just starting the point. No need to go for a winner.
Summary
The serve starts it all. As you continue to read posts in this section covering the serve you will find there is a lot to the pickleball serve you need to understand and implement to move to the 3.5+ skill level.
Serve Basics Video
Courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Watch the Serve Fundamentals video on Youtube.