Pickleball Basics · 3 of 10
The Serve
Every point starts here — nice and easy.
What is the Serve?
The serve is the shot that starts every point. In pickleball it is always hit underhand — your arm swings below your waist — which keeps the game welcoming instead of a power contest.
You stand behind the back line (the baseline) and hit the ball diagonally, across the net into the service box on the opposite corner. Land it in that box and the rally begins.
The Serve in 3 Steps
- 1Serve underhand, from below the waist
- 2Hit diagonally into the opposite service box
- 3Serve from behind the baseline
Quick Facts
- ✓Serve style: Underhand, always
- ✓Contact point: Below the waist
- ✓Target: The diagonal service box
- ✓Feet: Behind the baseline at contact
Go deeper · from the blog
How to serve in pickleball (rules + technique) →The long-form guide on this topic — more detail, more examples, same plain words.
Curious what level you'd be?
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