Pickleball · Serve · Rallying & consistency

Serve and return deep

Serve deep, return deep, and score a point for each ball past the mid-court line.

SR
Start / 5
Time
10 min
Players
2–4
Age
U8+
Area
Full court
Equipment
8 pickleballs2 cones

Setup

  1. A cone 1 m inside each baseline; server and returner.

How it runs

  1. Serve, return, stop. Each ball past the cone scores a point.
  2. Ten serves, then swap roles.
  3. Add the third shot after a few rounds.

Coaching points

  • Serve with the paddle below the wrist, swing low to high.
  • Return deep and move to the kitchen behind it.
  • Contact out in front.

Common mistakes

  • Serving short and flat.
  • Returning then standing at the baseline.

Say it: “Deep, then up.”

Make it harder

  • Serve to a specific side.
  • Play the point out.

Make it easier

  • Serve from inside the baseline.
  • No scoring, just rally.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.