When starting a pickleball game, you can choose to serve first to gain an advantage over your opponent. But is it better to serve first in pickleball?

Pickleball combines badminton, tennis, and table tennis elements and can be played by people of all ages. As in most sports, there is an advantage to being the first one to serve in pickleball. But does that mean you should always serve first?

There is no straight answer to this question. Serving first has its pros and cons. By serving first in pickleball, you can take control of the game and state the tone from the start. However, serving first also hands your opponent to surprise you with a tricky shot that can be difficult to deal with.

When playing pickleball, the serve is one of the most important shots. Not only does it allow you to score points, but it also helps control the game's pace. A good serve can be fast and difficult to return, giving you an advantage in the rally. It can also be used to place the ball strategically on the court, making it more difficult for your opponents to set up an attack.

As pickleball experts, we coach our players to evaluate their options and situations before choosing their moves. Hence, this guide will tell you the pros and cons of serving first and ways to serve like a pro.

Should You Serve First in Pickleball?

The question of etiquette in pickleball can be a confusing one. There are many reasons why it is advantageous to serve first. Depending on how well you know your opponent, you may want to consider serving first and making your opponent's serve difficult. Here are some tips for serving better.

Below, we discuss the benefits of serving and receiving first to see which is better.

The Benefits of Serving First

In the game of pickleball, players must decide who will serve first. While this may seem like a minor decision, it can actually significantly impact the game's outcome. There are a few reasons why serving first can be beneficial.

It allows you to take control of the rally from the start. You can set the tone and pace of the game and put your opponent on the defensive.

Additionally, serving first gives you a chance to feel for your opponent's skills and level of play. This information can help dictate your strategy for the rest of the match.

Finally, serving first can simply be a confidence booster - it can give you a mental edge over your opponent before the game even starts.

The Benefits of Receiving First

While serving first has its advantages, you might want to consider the benefits of receiving first before deciding on your play. There are many benefits to receiving first in pickleball.

For one, the serving player is at a disadvantage due to the two-bounce rule, as they have to stay at the baseline before moving up on the court.

Receiving first also gives you the element of surprise. Your opponent doesn't know what shot you're going to make, so they must guess. Second, it allows you to set the tone of the rally. You can be aggressive and go for the winner or play more conservatively and keep the ball in play.

Third, it puts pressure on your opponent. They have to make the first move, and they may feel like they have to play the perfect shot to win the point.

Serving Like a Pro

Before serving, you should know what your opponent's weak points are. Call out your serve if it is an error - this is a fundamental principle in pickleball etiquette. Here are some tips for serving better.

Drop Serve

A drop serve in pickleball is similar to a standard tennis serve. When the server serves, the ball goes to the right side, and when it goes to the left side, the ball goes to the left. Pickleball has five rules: the ball must stay in bounds, it can only bounce once, the server must line up on the right side, and the serve cannot land in a no-volley zone.

The drop serve in pickleball was officially adopted by the International Federation of Pickleball in 2022. It is considered the most accurate way to serve, especially for new players with no racket sports experience. Moreover, the drop serve is better than the traditional in-air volley serve for beginners. You'll be glad you did!

The drop serve is not a perfect pickleball serve. It will never go high, but it is effective for many players, as it is harder for the opponent to return the serve. A drop serve is much less apt to get a fault, as the ball doesn't bounce very high.

While the drop serve is an excellent option for beginners, it should be used with caution and proper technique. A drop serve is not legal if the server's stroke contacts another player playing legitimately. If the ball hits the net, the returner must play the ball.

High-soft Serve

In pickleball, a high-soft serve is a type of cross-court serve that flies high. The ball usually lands near the baseline. Knowing how to execute this serve can help you win games, no matter the level of competition. A high-soft serve is a great changeup for a power serve and can draw your opponent closer to the net. This serve also helps you change the pace of the game.

The key to a winning serve is to focus on body position. You should swing from the shoulder while keeping your arm loose. Another important point is to control the amount of force applied to the ball. Too much force may damage your serve. Learn more about serving by watching instructional videos on YouTube. Practice makes perfect. No one should give up too soon, especially if they are just starting. A high-soft serve in pickleball is a crucial technique for players of all levels.

The High Soft Serve is the opposite of a power serve, forcing your opponent to run forward. When used correctly, this serve allows you to get your opponent moving, making it easier to make your return. Therefore, it forces the opponent to run forward and is a good way to put your opponent on the defensive. As the name suggests, the High Soft Serve is different from a power serve because it gives you extra time to prepare your return hit.

The High-Soft Serve is the hardest serve in pickleball to defend against. It's the best choice for an advanced player and has many benefits. It's a perfect strategy to use when your opponent is side stacking. As with any other service, it's essential to learn how to serve in pickleball. You'll need to practice to improve your game. If you practice enough, you'll be able to hit the ball over the net.

Backhand Serve

The backhand serve is an essential part of pickleball strategy. A backhand serve forces your opponent to hit a hard shot. You can achieve this goal by hitting a deep serve and getting your opponent to move toward the net.

When you serve the backhand, you should be patient and try to hit it deep to create momentum. Whether you are playing at the high school or college level, you can use this serve to show off your skills.

The backhand serve must clear the net and the non-volley zone (NVZ). You have committed a serving fault if the ball lands anywhere outside the service area. In addition, the serve must land on the adjacent service box. Otherwise, the serve is considered an overserve. However, a backhand serve does not have to be hit from a high angle. This is the most popular form of serve in pickleball.

When hitting the ball, the face of the paddle should be at waist level or below. If the paddle reaches wrist level, it's illegal. The backhand serves are different from those you would use in volleyball and tennis. They are legal serves with an upward arc. In addition, they are more powerful than their opposites.

For the most part, the backhand serve is the easiest to execute. If you are a beginner or have been playing pickleball for some time, it's a good idea to practice these tips so that you'll be able to hit your opponent's serves with confidence.

You'll want to practice this shot often to perfect your technique. It's useful when your opponent isn't very mobile and is in a deep position. It is a good choice for this shot strategy because it forces the opponent to hit the return on the run. Similarly, you can hit a sideline angle shot to pull the returner out of position. Unfortunately, the backhand serve is not always easy to execute and is not ideal for beginners.

These are the serving techniques you can use in pickleball to gain an advantage. However, you must also check the serving rules by the USA Pickleball organization to avoid faults.