A strong, reliable, and powerful serve is essential in pickleball, regardless of your DUPR level. Whether you’re aiming to add a competitive edge or simply start points more consistently, developing a solid serve can make a major difference in your game.

Several of the pickleball’s top pros, known for their powerful serves, shared their advice on how to generate more pace and effectiveness on the serve.

Michael Loyd suggests starting with volume—simply hit more serves.

It’s an underrated skill that many players overlook in their warmups and drill sessions, but one that can pay big dividends with consistent practice.

“It’s all about getting reps in, so hit serves as much as possible, I don’t think enough people get a basket of balls and just practice serves. I recommend that first,” said Loyd. “When it comes to specific technique, I would say that you need to get good at using your momentum, whether you like to sway or rock into the serve, or if you’re like me and like to step into the serve. The momentum is super important. Figure out which movement is the best for you and pick the one that feels the most natural. That comes with practicing them a lot, too.”

Loyd’s advice didn’t stop there.

“I’d also say you want to make sure you have a very good follow-through. A lot of people get obsessed about swinging as hard as they can, and that can be helpful, but it’s also sometimes erratic,” he added. “If you can have a nice, long, controlled follow-through, you’ll get some extra power that’ll be something you can actually replicate over and over again. That will help with depth as well.”

Greg Dow pointed out a common mistake many players tend to make.

“You have to get your whole body into it and focus your lower body, especially with your hips. You have these big, powerful muscles in your body, so don’t just try to use your arm,” insisted Dow. “Sure, that’ll give you easy power, but if you’re using your legs and hips versus trying to swing your arm harder and faster, you’ll be generating a lot more power.”

Grayson Goldin, another top pro with a strong power serve, recommended studying film.

“You want to have a live and loose arm. It’s a combination of being extremely loose, fast, and whippy,” he said. “I recommend watching slow motion videos of pro serves so you can see the mechanics and then try and replicate that. You can also film yourself, see how it compares, and if there’s any small movements you’re doing.”

Roscoe Bellamy has also shared instructional videos on his YouTube channel detailing how to develop a power serve.

He echoed Goldin’s advice, emphasizing a loose arm and light grip for better power and control. 

“The first thing you need is a loose arm and light grip. If you want to get that whip and acceleration, you need to make sure that you’re not tightening your arm and muscle the serve. You’re never going to get that power you need,” emphasized Bellamy. “You need to have leg drive. Your arm is going to be that delivery system, but your legs are going to be the real juice and power generator. If you’re using your legs to drive forward, you’re going to have a really powerful serve.”

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