4
Serving Technique :
PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION
The Four Stages
BY DJ HOWARD
There are the four stages of development in a serve . Top players — you ’ ll see most of them serve at stage 4 because they ’ ve had practice developing the first three stages . If you are currently at a stage 1 , you ’ ll probably want to practice a stage 2 . Keep in mind , it takes time and it can be very difficult to skip stages . You may also want to get with a qualified coach who understands the developmental stages and can work with you through the process .
Stage 1 :
• Toes of both feet point toward target
• Hips and shoulders start square toward target area
• Ball is dropped or hit almost directly out of the non-paddle hand
• Palm of paddle hand starts facing target but may pronate or supinate during backswing or forward swing due to lack of control
• Elbow tends to bend upward through swing motion
• Wrist may “ flip ” or “ scoop ” upward through swing motion as well
• Little , if any , knee bend is present
2
Stage 2 :
• Toes point toward target
• Hips and shoulders square toward target
• Ball is often tossed rather than dropped
• Dominant arm drops back and swings forward in unison with hips and shoulders
• Shoulder is more involved in the swing
• Knee bend is often present
• Backswing and follow-through are typically larger than stage 1
• A simple “ rocking ” motion from back to front is often present
• Palm may still pronate or supinate too much
• Elbow may still be too involved in swing
• Wrist may still “ flip ” or “ scoop ” too much
48 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG . COM