Serves/Returns

2022 Pickleball Rules- The Drop Serve

By Tony Roig / December 11, 2021 /

The 2022 revisions to the USA Pickleball Rules (technically the IFP Official Rulebook) have been announced. The “provisional” qualifier was dropped (is there a pun there) from the Drop Serve rules. What this means is that the Drop Serve is in the official rules and here to stay. Before the new rules were adopted, it…

Read More

Pickleball Serving Rules-Are You Violating this ONE?

By CJ Johnson / August 15, 2020 /

Despite this video having over 212,000 views, I’m continually asked questions about the differences between a legal and an illegal serve. It doesn’t surprise me because it can be challenging to see with the naked eye. What does surprise me is I’m not often asked about the rule that I see being violated the most. That video…

Read More

Legal Pickleball Serves-photos

By CJ Johnson / November 22, 2019 /

This is a great time to clarify this rule. Here’s the rule you’re referring to: 4.A.6 The paddle head must be below the server’s wrist when it strikes the ball. The highest point of the paddle head cannot be above the highest part of the wrist (where the wrist joint bends). (see Figures 4-1 and…

Read More

The Best Serve In Pickleball

By CJ Johnson / November 15, 2019 /

What do you think is the most popular pickleball subject on YouTube?No, not the third shot drop. Negative, not the lob. Nope, not even the reset shot.   Would it surprise to learn that the most popular pickleball videos on YouTube are about serves? Yes, you read that right, the pickleball serves! It seems like…

Read More

Why It Pays to Hit a Deep Pickleball Serve

By CJ Johnson / July 13, 2019 /

If we were to ask you the essential characteristic of a pickleball serve, you would likely say it has to be in. Since the only time you can score is when you serve, most people would probably agree. After serving in, what’s the next most crucial characteristic of the serve? This is when we hear…

Read More

How to Hit a Pickleball Backhand with Consistency and Power

By CJ Johnson / October 20, 2018 /

As a teacher people often as me about their pickleball backhand. I hear comments like, my backhand seems to go everywhere. When it does go in it doesn’t have any power! CJ what can I  do? For most people, their backhand is a weaker shot than their forehand for a variety of different reasons. Often they spend a lot of…

Read More

Pickleball Footwork-Stop Hitting it Out!

By CJ Johnson / October 7, 2018 /

Do you feel off-balance when you’re moving to hit a pickleball shot? Perhaps someone told you that you’re running through the ball and you aren’t sure what that means? Are you having a hard time hitting the pickleball where you want when you are on the move?   I coach multiple sports and consistency in every game…

Read More

Fast Feet for Better Pickleball Groundstrokes-Part 3

By CJ Johnson / March 16, 2017 /

There are two essential but very different footwork skills; proper movement to support the athletic motion and fast feet. Pickleball requires both. Golf, my former occupation, is an example of a sport that only uses one. Proper placement of the feet is a requirement. It provides a stable platform for the arm swing. Fast feet? Not…

Read More

Want to Hit Better Pickleball Groundstrokes? Use Your Feet (Part 2)

By CJ Johnson / March 1, 2017 /

Balance and strong footwork are cornerstones of any sport. The most challenging shot to hit is when we are off-balance. Footwork in pickleball is an often overlooked key component of good players. If you want better pickleball groundstrokes, it’s time to start at the bottom and find out what your feet are doing. Most of…

Read More