Callie Jo Smith’s Genius Serve Tip: In a recent video on Instagram, professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith urged players to approach their serves with a strategic mindset. Moving beyond the basic goal of simply “getting the ball over the net,” Smith encouraged viewers to think about how the serve can set up an effective third shot. Her advice is aimed at players ready to “uplevel” their game, suggesting that the serve can become a powerful tool for controlling the pace and direction of each rally.
View this post on Instagram
Two Types of Players at Serve: Choosing the Approach
Callie Jo Smith identified two types of pickleball players when it comes to serving: those who aim simply to start the point and those who use the serve to plan their next move, especially the third shot.
While acknowledging that both approaches are valid, she emphasized the potential of the second strategy for more advanced play. By aligning the serve with a specific plan for the return, Callie Jo Smith explained, players can dictate the flow of the game from the starting, creating favorable conditions for their preferred shots.
Positioning and Strategy: Where to Stand When Serving
Callie Jo Smith shared detailed insights into positioning, explaining how standing closer to the middle or corner of the baseline can influence the opponent’s return and set up an ideal third shot.
She noted that when serving from the middle, opponents tend to return either to the center or to the backhand side, offering the server an opportunity to choose between a backhand or forehand response. For players who prefer a forehand third shot in pickleball, positioning slightly to the side may be advantageous, as it can encourage the return to come to their stronger side.
Adding Purpose to the Serve for Advanced Play
For players ready to advance, Callie Jo Smith urged them to consider each serve’s purpose. Instead of treating it as merely an opening action, she suggested that players begin using the serve to set up a more strategic play on the third shot.
By doing so, players can gain a level of control over the point, potentially disrupting the opponent’s rhythm and creating scoring opportunities. Smith’s guidance reflects a broader shift in pickleball toward intentional play, where each move is designed to build on the previous one.
News in Brief: Callie Jo Smith’s Genius Serve Tip
Professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith recently shared tips on Instagram, encouraging players to approach serves with a strategic mindset. Smith highlighted two types of players: those who serve to start the point and those who plan their third shot through a purposeful serve.
She explained how positioning on the baseline can influence an opponent’s return, allowing pickleball players to set up an ideal third shot, particularly for forehand or backhand responses. Urging players to use their serve to control the game’s flow, Callie Jo Smith’s advice offers a way for players to “uplevel” their play with a focus on intentional, strategic serves.
ALSO READ: Callie Jo Smith Reveals the Most Common Serving Mistake That Could Cost the Entire Match