Serves and Returns Drills

Before you drill
Before diving into the drills, it's important to understand the foundational moments of pickleball, such as serving and dinking, as well as more advanced techniques like ernies and third shot drops. These aspects of the game are crucial to master in order to excel on the court.
The aims of this article is to simplify the learning process by categorizing key moments in a rally and compiling them all in one convenient location. A variety of drills have been carefully selected for players to explore, each with a detailed summary, explanations on how they can enhance specific skills, and instructions for execution.
These drills are specifically designed for beginners, and covers a wide range of skills and techniques to help players improve their game. Whether you're looking to enhance your serving accuracy, work on your dinking technique, or perfect your third shot drop, you will find a comprehensive set of drills to satisfy your needs.

SERVES AND RETURNS EXPLAINED
In pickleball, there are two main types of legal serves - volley serves and drop serves. However, we'll be focusing on volley serves, which are the original type of serve and are more commonly used compared to drop serves.
A volley serve is essentially an underhand serve where the serving player is not allowed to hit the ball above their waist, their arm must move in an upward arc, and the highest point of their paddle's head cannot go above the highest part of their wrist. Since it's a volley serve, the ball is hit from the air rather than after it bounces.
To simplify, just think of it as an underhand hit. If you need more details on how to execute a volley serve, we can provide you with additional information.
When it comes to gripping the pickleball paddle for serving, technically any grip style could work, but the eastern grip is the most commonly used. This grip slightly favors the forehand and complements the use of the non-dominant hand to hold the ball during the serve.
If you prefer adding topspin to your serve, you could consider using the western grip, but be cautious of the regulations on spin serves set by USA Pickleball. It's generally recommended to stick with the eastern grip for serving.
In terms of footwork and body position for serving, remember that you must serve from behind the baseline. Additionally, at least one foot must remain on the playing surface behind the baseline during the serve, even if you're moving to hit the ball.
It's important to note that you cannot step past the point where the baseline meets the centerline or sideline when serving. Most players suggest positioning yourself closer to the centerline and standing about a foot behind the baseline to avoid faults.

SERVES AND RETURNS DRILLS

Toss and Catch
Improve your placement and consistency in a fun way with the Toss and Catch drill. This drill focuses on tossing the ball and catching it with your paddle while keeping your wrist and arm loose. It's similar to a tennis serve motion, but instead of serving, you're practicing how to develop a softer touch on the ball. This will help you improve your ability to direct your serve by learning how to make proper contact with the paddle.
To start, stand a few feet away from a wall or net. Begin by tossing the ball up with your non-dominant hand and catching it with your paddle. The key is to maintain a light grip on the paddle and let your wrist and arm do the work. You can try squeezing the grip with your thumb and index finger while keeping your middle, ring, and pinky finger to stabilize the paddle in your palm. This will help you maintain a softer grip, increasing the chances of successfully catching the ball with your paddle.
Repeat the motion several times until you feel comfortable with it and can consistently catch the ball. Focus on relying more on your shoulder for the motion, similar to how you would in a serve. This drill will not only improve your placement and consistency but also help you develop a better feel for the ball and enhance your overall paddle skills. So grab your paddle, find a wall or net, and start practicing the Toss and Catch drill to take your game to the next level.

Serve to Target
This drill is a classic and effective way to improve your accuracy and control when serving. Instead of just mindlessly serving, you'll choose a specific spot on the court to aim for and practice hitting that spot repeatedly. It's recommended to place a cone or mark near the opposite side's baseline to help you target accurately. Make sure to have plenty of pickleballs on hand because this drill requires repetition. By consistently serving to your chosen spot, you'll develop the ability to place your serves exactly where you want them, making it difficult for your opponents to return them.
To perform this drill, start by selecting a specific spot on the court that you want to serve to. It could be a corner, a specific area near the baseline, or any other spot you want to target. Once you've chosen your spot, focus on hitting it consistently with your serves. Pay attention to your aim and adjust as needed to improve your accuracy. The more you practice, the more confident you'll become in hitting your target consistently. This drill is all about repetition and honing your serving skills, so keep practicing until you feel confident in your ability to hit your target every time.

Serve and Split Step
Looking to enhance your footwork and timing on the pickleball court? Give the Serve and Split Step drill a shot. Once you've served the ball, execute a split step hop to transition from the baseline to the kitchen area in 2 to 3 repetitions. This particular drill offers numerous benefits to your game. Firstly, it assists you in positioning yourself for the third shot, while also preventing you from hastily rushing towards the kitchen without assessing the situation. The split step forces you to generate momentum while remaining stationary for a few seconds, thereby enhancing your agility, court coverage, and overall court awareness.
A split step is a fundamental technique in pickleball that involves jumping and landing with your feet shoulder-width apart just before your opponent strikes the ball. This movement enables you to swiftly react to your opponent's shots and swiftly position yourself to execute your own shots. Whether you're playing doubles or singles, the split step is crucial as it enables you to move swiftly and effectively across the court. It plays a vital role in keeping your opponents on the defensive and exerting pressure on them to commit errors.
Having proper footwork and body position is essential for successful split steps in pickleball. Instead of just standing still, it is important to keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. This will provide you with a stable foundation to move quickly and effectively on the court.
In addition to footwork, body positioning is also crucial during split steps. Make sure to stand with your shoulders squared towards the net and your non-dominant foot slightly forward. This positioning allows you to react swiftly in any direction to counter your opponent's shots.
It is not only during split steps that good footwork and body positioning matter. Throughout the game, it is important to practice proper court coverage, quick movements, and efficient footwork. By consistently honing these skills, you will be able to navigate the court effortlessly and deliver more accurate shots.
To improve your agility and efficiency on the court, you can incorporate the Serve and Split Step drill into your practice routine. This drill involves starting with a serve, followed by a short hop into a split step. As your partner makes contact with the ball, you hit it back and continue to perform split steps until you reach the kitchen line from the baseline. Focus on maintaining quick and precise movements, and work on perfecting the timing for each step. With regular practice, you will become more adept at executing this drill with ease.

T-Drill
Enhance your split step abilities with the T-Drill, a fantastic solo exercise that targets agility, speed, and footwork. By incorporating forward running, lateral shuffling, and backpedaling, this drill is designed to mimic the movements involved in executing a split step on the tennis court.
To execute the T-Drill, arrange cones or markers in a T formation on the court. Begin at the base of the T, sprint towards the top, shuffle to the right cone, then to the left cone, and finally backpedal to the starting point. Repeat this sequence multiple times, paying close attention to your technique and speed as you perform the drill.

The Splits
Enhance your agility and reaction time on the pickleball court by practicing the split step technique. This drill involves splitting your feet apart while moving towards the ball, allowing you to quickly adjust your position for the next shot.
To execute the Splits drill effectively, start by standing at the kitchen line in a ready stance. As your opponent hits the ball, take a step forward with one foot and split your feet apart, ensuring you land on the balls of your feet for better balance and mobility.
Focus on the fluidity of your movements and how quickly you can transition from the split step to reaching the ball. By repeating this drill multiple times, you can fine-tune your footwork and improve your overall performance on the court.

Return of Serve
The return of serve is a critical part of pickleball, dictating the flow of the game and determining the outcome of each point. A well-executed return can create pressure on the serving team and give the returning team an upper hand, while a poorly executed return can lead to a quick point for the serving team.
The grip on your pickleball paddle plays a significant role in your ability to make a successful return of serve. Depending on various factors such as the side of the court you're on, the side of your body the ball comes to, and your dominant hand, the grip you choose can greatly impact the outcome of your return.
While a grip somewhere between eastern and continental is generally recommended for the return of serve, using a western grip can be beneficial if you're aiming for a topspin return. Additionally, modified eastern or modified western grips can also be considered based on your personal preference for the shot and where you intend the ball to land on the court.
Struggling with deep returns and transitioning to the net can be a common issue for many players. Whether it's a lack of control in driving the ball back far enough or difficulty in placing it accurately due to the power required, these challenges can hinder your game.
To improve your deep returns, try practicing with a partner by having them serve to you from the baseline. Your goal should be to hit the ball one foot before their feet, which can help you gain time to move closer to the kitchen and keep your opponents on the defensive.
If you find yourself hitting the ball too far, adjust your aim to land two feet in front of your partner instead. Just like in golf, sometimes you have to work with your natural tendencies rather than against them to achieve better results.
Following these steps to perform deep returns - starting at the baseline, assuming your ready position, stepping in after your partner serves, hitting a deep return with proper technique and aiming for accuracy - can help you set yourself up for a successful transition to the net.