Pickleball Screw Top Serve Technique: The world of pickleball is buzzing with excitement over a new serve that could change the game. Professional pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters has introduced a powerful new serve, unofficially named the “screw top serve.” This serve mixes side spin and top spin to make it hard for opponents to return. It is gaining attention for its tricky movement and consistent performance.
In 2022, spin serves like the chainsaw and one-handed reverse slice were banned. This forced players to get creative. The new screw top serve is one result of that rule change. Many top players had to find legal ways to add spin to their serves. The screw top serve appears to be both legal and effective.
How Illegal Serves Changed the Game
In 2018, professional player Zane Navratil introduced the chainsaw serve. He would spin the ball with his hand or paddle before hitting it. This created a lot of confusion for opponents.
Zane Navratil even began serving while facing the back fence. This made it harder for opponents to see the direction of the spin.
Later in 2021, professional Morgan Evans came up with the one-handed reverse slice serve. He got the idea from watching cricket players use spin. Morgan Evans used his non-dominant hand to spin the ball before serving. These techniques caused funny and confusing moments on the court.
Because of these tricky serves, new rules were made in 2022 to ban any type of pre-serve spin. Players could no longer spin the ball before hitting it.
Enter the Screw Top Serve
The screw top serve was created to work within the new rules. It does not involve spinning the ball before contact. Instead, players use paddle technique to add both side spin and top spin after tossing the ball.
According to Austin, a coach with over 10 years of experience in tennis and pickleball, this new serve looks just like a regular topspin serve. However, after it hits the ground, the ball curves to the side, confusing opponents.
Austin explained, “The screw top serve… not only is it curving out like a screw ball serve does, but it also has a ton of top spin on the ball to bring it back down into the court and kick at your opponent.”
The serve involves hitting the ball with the paddle tip facing up, cutting underneath the ball, and then finishing with a brushing motion. The key is making contact in front of the body and accelerating through the motion.
Austin described it this way: “Cut, brush, cut the hair, brush the hair. Create that U as you come underneath the ball and then brush up.”
What Makes It Different
Unlike older spin serves, the screw top serve is much more consistent. Players can hit it harder and still keep it inbounds. It works by mixing side spin, which causes the ball to move left or right, with topspin that pulls the ball back down into the court.
Austin shared: “Since I’m creating that top spin… you can also see it’s kicking out wide.”
Because it looks just like a regular topspin serve, opponents can’t tell the difference until it’s too late. Austin tested this by hitting several serves in a row and asking viewers to guess which ones were screw top serves. All of them were.
Austin said, “So, if you did guess topspin, let me know. If you guessed 100% correct that I did screw ball on all of those, you’re absolutely amazing.”
Why It Matters
The screw top serve could become a major tool in competitive pickleball. It follows all the current rules, yet still adds a confusing spin to the game. This allows players to gain an edge without breaking any regulations.
Austin believes the screw top serve could soon become very popular. “It’s not just a gimmick serve. It is actually effective. It’s more consistent. You can hit it harder. And it’s going to create more spin to kick at your opponents.”
As more players learn and adopt the serve, it may become a common part of the sport. It is an example of how creativity can help athletes grow within the rules of the game.
News in Brief: Pickleball Screw Top Serve Technique
Pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters has introduced the screw top serve, a new move that combines topspin and side spin. Coach Austin explains how it works and why it’s legal under current rules. The serve confuses opponents and is gaining popularity for being both tricky and consistent. Expect to see it more often.