7 Reasons Your Serve Has No Power (& How to Serve Harder)

 

Why Your Pickleball Serve Lacks Power — And How to Fix It

A step-by-step guide to unlocking explosive power in your serve, from stance to breathwork

In pickleball, having a powerful serve can give you a significant edge on the court. But if your serves lack that extra punch, you're likely making one or more common mistakes. Kyle Koszuta, ThatPickleballGuy, breaks down seven specific issues that might be holding you back and offers simple but effective fixes. This guide will walk you through those problems and help you develop a more powerful serve. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, mastering these techniques will elevate your game.

1. Standing Too Tall and Too Narrow (0:15)
Many players struggle with their serve because they stand too tall and keep their feet too close together. This position makes it hard to generate power and maintain balance.

• Fix: Widen your stance to create more stability.
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart for better balance.
• Lower your body slightly to engage your legs for more force.
• Consider setting your dominant foot at a diagonal to the baseline, giving you a solid foundation to generate power.

2. No Weight Transfer (0:56)
If you stay flat-footed during your serve, you're robbing yourself of power. Proper weight transfer from back to front can dramatically improve your serve.

• Fix: Start with your weight on your back foot.
• Shift your weight forward as you swing.
• Think of your body as a coiled spring — uncoil as you strike the ball.
• Imagine a boxer punching; power comes from the transfer of weight forward.

3. Stiff Arm (2:36)
A stiff arm is a common reason why serves lack power. If your arm isn't loose and fluid, you'll struggle to hit the ball with enough speed.

• Fix: Relax your arm before the serve.
• Take a deep breath to help loosen up.
• Keep a relaxed grip on the paddle to allow for a more fluid swing.
• Focus on accelerating through the ball, not guiding it.

4. Neutral Wrist (5:17)
A neutral or rigid wrist won't give you the spin or snap needed for a powerful serve. Flexibility in your wrist is key to generating more force.

• Fix: Loosen your wrist to allow for a whipping motion as you make contact.
• Practice the "wrist lag" technique, where the paddle lags behind your arm before snapping through the ball.
• Imagine your wrist flicking the paddle at the last moment to add spin and power.

5. Jam Toss (6:55)
A poor toss can jam your motion, reducing your serve’s effectiveness. If your arm is bent or your toss is too low, your kinetic chain is interrupted.

• Fix: Extend your arm fully when tossing the ball.
• Keep your arm at about a 45-degree angle from your body to prevent jamming.
• For consistency, practice a slight toss instead of a drop, depending on tournament rules.
• Make sure the toss is in line with where you want to strike the ball.

6. No Explosive Breath (8:43)
Your breath can impact your power. Players who don’t use explosive breathing during their serve often miss out on the kinetic energy that comes from exhalation.

• Fix: Inhale deeply before your serve, then exhale forcefully as you strike the ball.
• This breath technique helps synchronize your body, adding force to your swing.
• Visualize a tennis player grunting as they hit — that exhalation contributes to power.

7. Fear (9:07)
Fear of failure can make you hesitant, which in turn causes a lack of power in your serve. If you're too focused on getting the ball in play, you won't fully commit to hitting it hard.

• Fix: Shift your mindset from fear to confidence.
• Practice serves without worrying about making mistakes; focus on consistency later.
• Remember that a powerful serve is less likely to be returned effectively, so take the risk and hit harder.

Guide Summary:
To improve the power of your pickleball serve, focus on stance, weight transfer, arm looseness, and wrist flexibility. Start with a wide, grounded stance, transferring your weight efficiently from back to front as you swing. Ensure your arm is relaxed, and practice the wrist lag technique for added spin. A solid toss and explosive breath will help synchronize your body for maximum power, and finally, approach each serve with confidence. With practice, these adjustments will lead to a more formidable serve, setting you up for success in your games.

0:00 Intro 0:15 To Tall To Narrow 0:56 No Weight Transfer 2:36 Stiff Arm 5:17 Neutral Wrist 6:55 Jam Toss 8:43 No Explosive Breatj 9:07 Fear