Federico Staksrud’s Serving Technique: Federico Staksrud has one of the best serves in pickleball, and his technique offers valuable lessons for players looking to transform their serves into true weapons. His aggressive serving style sets the tone for the match, aiming to end points quickly and with precision. Let’s break down his approach, from grip to follow-through, and see how you can incorporate these elements into your game.
Grip and Starting Position
The foundation of Staksrud’s serve is his Eastern forehand grip. Here’s how to master it:
- Eastern Forehand Grip: To achieve this grip, hold your paddle with the face pointing directly upward. Place the inside of your index knuckle on the top bevel (the top corner of the paddle) and align the bottom corner of your palm with it.
- Trigger Finger: Staksrud employs a trigger finger technique, where his index finger rests on the paddle’s surface. This helps with paddle control and allows him to consistently hit the sweet spot.
- Starting Position: Before serving, Staksrud taps his paddle to reset his rhythm and clear his mind. He also aligns his body—his paddle, finger, and knee all point in the same direction to ensure a strong, focused serve.
Creating Power: The Takeback
Federico Staksrud’s powerful serve begins with a proper takeback, which acts as a coil for power. Here’s how to generate that power:
- The Coil: To create the coil, Staksrud rotates his paddle from pointing at his opponent to pointing toward the side fence. This sets up tension in his body, similar to a spring winding up before it releases.
- Body and Paddle Connection: A common mistake is disconnecting the hand from the body during the takeback. Instead, Staksrud ensures his body moves with his hand, creating a synchronized, powerful load.
- Bend Your Knees: While coiling, bend your knees. This allows you to use your legs, not just your arm, to generate power, making your serve more dynamic.
The Motion and Follow-Through
Federico Staksrud’s serve is a fluid motion, emphasizing smooth transitions from coil to uncoil:
- Uncoil and Step In: As he releases the ball, Staksrud steps into the court, uncoiling his body. His non-dominant shoulder moves from front to back as he rotates, generating more power.
- Pointing and Follow-Through: After releasing the ball, Staksrud points with his non-dominant hand, guiding the trajectory of the ball. This helps with control and accuracy as he finishes the serve.
- Windshield Wiper Motion: The follow-through involves an outward and upward brush through the ball, generating topspin and keeping the ball in the court. This motion is essential for both power and consistency.
Drills for Mastery
Now that you’ve learned the fundamentals of Staksrud’s serve, here are four drills to help you improve:
1. Bowling Drill
This drill helps you master the basic motion without worrying about targeting the ball.
- Objective: Focus on brushing up the ball and creating the correct motion.
- How to Perform: Stand with your feet and shoulders aligned. Use a low-to-high motion, emphasizing brushing the ball and finishing with your elbow near your nose. This simulates the brush-up motion that generates topspin.
2. Lag Drill
The lag drill helps create the paddle lag that Staksrud uses for added power.
- Objective: Build paddle lag to generate force.
- How to Perform: Start with the paddle flat in front of you, and slowly lift it. As the paddle drops, pull forward in a fluid motion. Afterward, practice the full motion of dropping, lagging, and brushing up the ball.
3. Two-Paddle Drill
This drill helps build strength and refine technique with added weight.
- Objective: Get used to the full serve motion while holding two paddles.
- How to Perform: Hold two paddles in your dominant hand. Perform the serve motion, focusing on the outward and upward brush of the paddle. When you drop the second paddle, your arm will feel much lighter, allowing you to hit with more force.
4. Full Serve Drill
This drill helps you tie everything together by practicing real serves.
- Objective: Perfect your serve with all the techniques you’ve learned.
- How to Perform: Start by aiming to hit the ball long (just past the baseline). As you become more accurate, focus on hitting the ball within a foot of the baseline, keeping it deep and with the right height.
News in Brief: Federico Staksrud’s Serving Technique
Federico Staksrud’s aggressive pickleball serve relies on an Eastern forehand grip, a powerful coiled takeback, and smooth uncoiling for power. His technique emphasizes body synchronization, leg use, and precise follow-through for control. Drills like the Bowling Drill, Lag Drill, Two-Paddle Drill, and Full Serve Drill can help players improve and master Staksrud’s powerful serve technique.
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