In pickleball, the serve isn’t just a formality—it’s your first chance to make an impression, like a firm handshake but with more topspin. While some players try to intimidate with power, seasoned players know that a consistent, strategic serve is the key to success.
And guess what? You’ve got options.
Two Serve Types: The Basics
When it comes to serves, you can either go old-school with the traditional volley serve or use the newer drop serve.
The Volley Serve: Classic for a Reason
The volley serve has been around forever (well, since pickleball’s inception), and it comes with its own set of rules:
- The ball must be struck below the waist (waist is defined as the navel).
- The serve must be made with an underhand stroke.
- The highest point of the paddle head must not be above the wrist.
These rules may seem restrictive, but they’ve shaped the game for decades, and there’s a reason they’re still a staple.
What the Volley Serve Does Best
- Power and Spin: Even with the rules, you can pack a punch. A solid topspin serve can send the ball dipping over the net faster than your opponent can say, “Nice shot!”
- Momentum: Unlike the drop serve, you can step into the volley serve, using your whole body to generate power. This adds oomph and keeps you moving forward (literally).
But there’s a catch: backspin? Forget about it. And sidespin? It’s like trying to ice skate uphill—not impossible, but definitely tricky.
Executing a Traditional Volley Serve
- Stand behind the baseline, with your feet shoulder-width apart. One foot slightly in front of the other for stability.
- Ensure you do not step on or over the baseline until after the ball is struck.
Preferred Grip: Continental Grip or Eastern Forehand Grip
Ball and Paddle Position:
- Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand and the paddle in your dominant hand.
- The paddle should be held below your waist level, ready for an upward swing.
- Drop the ball from your non-dominant hand. Do not toss it up; it should be a gentle drop.
- Swing the paddle in an upward motion.
- Follow through with your paddle swing in a smooth motion, pointing towards your intended target in the opponent’s service court.
- Aim for the diagonal service court. The ball must land within the boundaries of the opponent’s service court, including the lines.
The Drop Serve: The New Kid on the Block
The drop serve, introduced as a rule in 2021, is like a breath of fresh air for players who’ve struggled with the strict mechanics of the volley serve.
How it Works:
You drop the ball, let it bounce, and hit it. That’s it—no waist-level contact rules, no upward swing, no wrist restrictions. It’s practically a serve free-for-all (within reason).
The only restriction on the drop serve comes with the ball drop. The ball cannot be tossed up and then drop and you cannot push the ball downward as part of the drop. You simply raise your hand to the desired height and drop the ball.
Why the Drop Serve is Effective
- Spin Freedom: Backspin, sidespin, you name it—the drop serve makes it easier to get creative with spin and placement.
- Control: The bounce gives you a moment to steady yourself and focus, making this a great choice for players who value precision over power.
The Trade-Offs
Of course, no serve is perfect:
- Less Power: The bounce robs some of the serve’s momentum, making it harder to overwhelm your opponent with speed.
- Predictability: The drop serve might feel fancy, but advanced players can read it like an open book.
Conclusion: Why Choose When You Can Use Both?
Why limit yourself? The best players know that having both the volley serve and drop serve in your toolkit is a huge advantage. Mixing up your serves keeps your opponents guessing—and we all know, a guessing opponent is a vulnerable opponent.
Practice both, master their quirks, and serve up a game that’s as unpredictable as it is effective. After all, variety is the spice of pickleball.
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Keep Learning:
Check out the videos below for a review of the volley and drop serves, or continue exploring the series with the next post:
Pickleball Serve Legality – How to Handle Disputes Gracefully.
🎥Pickleball Volley Serve with Topspin
Courtesy of Mark Renneson at Third Shot Sports
Watch this video on the Pickleball Volley serve on Youtube.
🎥Pickleball Drop Serve with Backspin and Sidespin
Courtesy of Pickleball Nexus
Watch this video on the Pickleball Drop shot on Youtube.