World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and her mom and coach, Leigh Waters, recently shared their top insights with pro pickleball player and content creator, Kyle Koszuta.

The Waters women keep their strategies, tips, and specific insights close to the vest, so it was a real treat to get first-hand tips from the top player and coach in the game. 

First up, Anna Leigh and Leigh discussed how to get more consistent and powerful serves. 

“If you are in a tournament, definitely let the ref say the score,” began Leigh. “Even though the rule says you can start your motion while the ref is speaking, as long as you make contact after they say the score. Anna Leigh likes to start her motion, but if the ref’s cadence is off just a little, Anna Leigh is hitching through the service motion.” 

This is because Anna Leigh is fueled with adrenaline and ready to start the point, so that if the referee stumbles over their words, her motion is interrupted and it isn't as fluid. 

To avoid hitching, wait for the ref to finish saying the score. It’s a simple step, but it’s little things like that separating the good players from the great ones. 

Anna Leigh also recommended to think of hitting the serve like you hit a forehand.

It’s one fluid motion.

“In tennis, the overhead serve is completely different. But in pickleball, the serve feels like you’re hitting a forehand, and I feel like a lot of players sometimes struggle with the serve, but then they have a great forehand. Think about hitting a forehand as your serve. That’s helped me a lot,” explained Anna Leigh.

Then, Leigh recommended target practice. 

“Before you serve, pick your target, look at it, and then go. Because there’s so many things you can be thinking about, it’s just you with the ball, everybody’s waiting, and your mind can be going in a thousand places. But the easiest way to reset and get focused is pick a target and go,” said Leigh.

“For people who are practicing their serves, it can be a little boring and monotonous. The best way is to get some targets out and place some targets and play a little game with yourself. Or, if you have a practice partner, play little games against each other to hit targets. That’s what we do, and it’s really the best way to stay focused,” she recommended. 

“And then when you get into your rec game or your match play, you can see the targets you hit in practice,” said Leigh. 

Anna Leigh even shared a story from a tournament when they really focused on the serve, and she could easily imagine the targets on the court from practice. That skill paid off during a match. 

To get a more consistent serve in pickleball, try target practice next time you hit the court to drill. Training like the World No. 1 will certainly elevate your game.   

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