PickleballPre-Serve Routine Power Tips: Pro pickleball coach Mark Price offers tips to make your serve stronger and more effective. By developing a pre-serve routine, players can train their body and mind to focus before each serve, adding power, spin, and control while improving the next shot in a match.
Why a Pre-Serve Routine Matters
Mark Price explains that a pre-serve routine builds a “neuropathway” in the brain. “You’re giving your brain a signal. I’m about to serve,” he said. Without a routine, players may walk up to the serve without time to process the situation, leading to weaker focus and poorer results.
The routine can include verbal or audio cues and connecting to the center of the paddle. Mark Price says it provides instant feedback if a serve is mis-hit. “I like you have some sort of…when you practice I would definitely always put your pre-serve routine into your serving,” he said.
Adding Power and Spin
Mark Price also advises slight adjustments to the serve for better results. “If you can add a little bit more upward movement…you’re going to add just a little bit more spin,” he said. He recommends bending the knees more and using leg power to generate spin and pace while keeping the same basic serve.
The goal is to create weaker returns from opponents, making the third shot easier. “If we add more power to our serve, we get an easier third. If you hit a gentle serve, you get an aggressive return. If you hit an aggressive serve, you get a weaker return,” Mark Price explained.
Improving Third Shots
By adding a bit more spin, pace, or upward motion, players can force opponents into weaker returns, giving them an advantage on the next shot. Mark Price emphasizes maintaining the normal feel of the serve while making these small adjustments.
News in Brief: PickleballPre-Serve Routine Power Tips
Mark Price, pro pickleball coach, shows how a pre-serve routine improves focus, power, and spin. Small adjustments like bending knees and using leg strength can create weaker opponent returns, making the third shot easier. Audio cues and paddle connection help train body and mind for better serving results.
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