Build a legal, repeatable serve routine before adding depth, direction, and controlled pace.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddles
- Pickleballs
- Pickleball court
- 20 balls or a ball basket
- 2–4 target cones
Setup
Place a large target in the deep half of the diagonal service box. The server begins behind the baseline with balls safely contained off court.
How to run it
1. Before every serve, confirm the imagined score and server position, choose the large target, set the feet, relax the grip, and use one smooth motion.
2. Balls 1–5: count legal serves only.
3. Balls 6–10: score one point for landing beyond a marked depth line.
4. Balls 11–15: alternate body and middle targets while keeping legal depth.
5. Balls 16–20: use a complete pre-serve routine under a personal target score. Record legal, deep, and target hits separately.
Coach Dave’s cues
Legality and consistency come before pace or spin. Leave room behind the baseline. Use a smooth rhythm and recover into a ready position after contact.
Watch for
Rushing the routine, standing on or too close to the baseline, chasing precision before consistency, or leaving loose balls in the hitting area.