World No. 1 men’s singles player Federico Staksrud has a killer serve. 

He recently filmed a YouTube video with the Pickleball Playbook to share some insight on the topic.

When Staksrud first started playing pickleball five years ago, the serve wasn’t as important as it is now. It was really about putting the ball in play. Now, it’s a weapon.

“If you serve like that nowadays, the return is coming super hard, so it’s really hard to hit a drop or a drive. Right after we serve, we’ve got to get ready for the third shot,” said Staksrud. “A great way to get a good third shot opportunity is by serving big. Now, people are focusing on putting a lot of topspin and they’re focusing on putting that serve way deep on the baseline.” 

Staksrud further explained that his main priority serve-wise is getting under the ball, which helps generate topspin.

“When I think about serving, I want to feel like I’m getting under the ball. I want to feel like my legs and my arms are under the ball, so I’m getting as much topspin as I can,” he demonstrated. “The most important thing about the serve is to get a lot of topspin. When you get a lot of topspin, the ball is bouncing up and it makes it really difficult for the returner to hit and come in through the return.” 

Hitting with a lot of topspin also affords you more time to move forward and hit a third shot drop right at your opponent’s feet.

Staksrud also suggested having your feet closer together when you serve to generate more power and spin.

“I have a close stance and I’m trying to get as much rotation with my hips as I can, and using my legs. This movement is where I generate power, kind of like bowling or a golf swing. You want to rotate, then be aggressive with your hips and push up at a 45-degree angle to generate power,” he said. “The best servers, Dekel Bar, James Ignatowich, Ben Johns, they’re all attacking the ball in a 45-degree angle. In pickleball, the rule is that your paddle has to be down, and that actually helps you a little bit and generate more power with your hand.”

Then, Staksrud recommended that when players are practicing, they should test themselves and see how hard and high they can make the ball go on a serve. 

“When you’re practicing a serve, you want to test out your power and your spin because in matches you can’t be thinking about that,” he emphasized. “When you step out on court to play a match, I don’t want you thinking about your technique or your actual swing. Instead, pick your spot and go for it.”

Staksrud believes that a lot of players struggle with focusing too much on technique and details they’re working on when playing a match, instead of being present and focused solely on the game. That’s why practicing and getting reps is so important since you’re preparing your habits before the match even begins. 

So, get your work done and perfect your serve before your next match. 

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