Many pickleball players treat the serve as simply a way to start the point. That mindset leaves opportunities on the table. While the serve isn’t an outright offensive weapon like it is in tennis, a well-executed serve can immediately put pressure on your opponent and give you an advantage in the rally.
Improving your serve comes down to four key elements: depth, topspin, placement, and pace variation. Mastering these areas will help you win more points and force weaker returns.
I love to mix serves up to keep my opponents guessing.
Prioritize Depth
The priority should be depth.
A deep serve pushes your opponent farther behind the baseline and makes it more difficult for them to hit an aggressive return. When a returner is forced to contact the ball near the back of the court, they have fewer angles available and less opportunity to attack. Deep serves also make it harder for opponents to move forward and establish position at the kitchen line. Many players don’t move up quickly after their return, so pushing them farther back can create a huge advantage and increase your chances of hitting an effective third shot.
Many players leave serves short because they focus too much on simply getting the ball in. A serve that lands near the service line gives your opponent an easy opportunity to step in, take control of the point, and quickly get to the non-volley zone.
Aim to land your serve within a few feet of the baseline whenever possible. Even if you occasionally miss long, the pressure created by consistently deep serves is worth the risk. I practice by placing a hand towel in different areas of the court and trying to hit the towel with my serve.
Add Topspin for More Pressure
Topspin is one of the best tools for adding aggression while maintaining consistency.
When topspin is applied correctly, the ball rotates forward and drops more quickly as it travels through the air. This allows you to swing faster and hit with greater pace while still keeping the ball inside the court.
Generating topspin starts with brushing up the back of the ball during your swing. The paddle should move from low to high through contact. Many players mistakenly try to create spin by flicking their wrist. Instead, focus on using your entire swing path to produce smooth, controlled topspin.
The result is a serve that clears the net comfortably, drives deep into the court, and stays under control.
Target Weaknesses
Placement is equally important.
One of the smartest targets on the court is your opponent’s backhand. Most recreational players have a weaker backhand than forehand, making it a logical place to direct your serve. A deep serve to the backhand side often produces a less aggressive return and can create opportunities later in the point.
Pay attention to your opponents during warm-ups and early rallies. It’s good intel. If one player struggles with backhand returns or consistently leaves balls short from that side, continue testing that weakness. At higher levels, players may have strong backhands, but even then, precise placement can force uncomfortable contact points and reduce their ability to attack.
Mix Up the Pace
Changing pace is another valuable but often overlooked strategy.
Many players serve with the same speed on every point, making it easy for opponents to establish timing. Mixing in different serve speeds can disrupt rhythm and create uncertainty.
A heavy topspin serve struck with pace can push opponents back and rush their preparation. A slower serve with significant depth can force them to generate their own pace. The key is making your opponents adjust. When returners cannot settle into a predictable pattern, they are more likely to make mistakes or produce weaker returns.
Put It All Together
The best servers combine all four elements.
They hit deep serves that consistently challenge the baseline. They use topspin to swing aggressively while maintaining control. They target weaknesses and uncomfortable locations. They vary pace enough to keep opponents guessing.
I definitely go big on my serve when my team is ahead and I’m the first server, knowing we have a little cushion. That’s a good time to open up on it.
The serve may only be the first shot of the rally, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. Players who invest time in improving depth, topspin, placement, and pace variation gain an immediate advantage before their opponents ever hit the ball.
Over time, those small advantages add up to more weak returns, more opportunities to control points, and ultimately, more wins.
Remember, pickleball is supposed to be fun.
About the Author: Gina Cilento is a top 10 Senior Pro and multi-APP medalist who splits her time between competing and coaching. She’s the co-founder of The Pickleball Lab, a pod player for the Denver Iconics in the Champions Series Pickleball League, and co-host of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil. Off the court, Gina shares her passion through her apparel line, The Pick, and her work with Empower Pickleball.
