Serving with Consistency: 4 Keys That Helped Me Keep 99% of My Serves and Second Shots Deep and In

One of the most critical elements in pickleball is getting your serve and second shot deep and consistent. A deep serve and return set the tone for each rally, keeping your opponent back and giving you a strong starting advantage. After much practice and focus on technique, I developed four key strategies that helped me hit deep shots consistently and accurately—99% of the time. Here’s what worked for me and how you can use these keys to master your own deep serves and second shots.

1. Simplifying My Form and Focus

One of the biggest changes I made was simplifying my serve and return technique. Instead of overthinking, I focused on a few fundamentals: stance, paddle angle, and follow-through. By keeping things simple, I reduced my margin for error and developed a rhythm that I could rely on every time.

With a streamlined form, I was able to repeat the same motion consistently, resulting in fewer mistakes and more control over shot depth. This consistency helped me stay accurate without sacrificing power.

2. Maintaining a Relaxed Grip

A firm grip can lead to stiffness in your shots, which impacts control and depth. I discovered that keeping a relaxed grip allowed me to have more fluidity in my swing and better control over the power I applied. This relaxed approach ensured my shots went deep without flying out.

A softer grip gave me the balance to hit confidently while avoiding overhitting. With less tension, I could place my shots accurately deep into the court, giving me a big advantage right from the start of each rally.

3. Using Visual Targets on the Opponent's Side

Before each serve or return, I focused on a target area near my opponent's baseline, aiming about two to three feet inside the back line. Having a clear target in mind helped me maintain focus and avoid any accidental short serves or shots that went out.

By targeting a specific area, I gained better accuracy and was less likely to make careless errors. This mental focus allowed me to control my depth, ensuring my shots landed consistently deep and kept my opponent on the defensive.

4. Perfecting the Follow-Through

The follow-through is key for depth control. I concentrated on extending my follow-through toward my target on each serve and second shot, which naturally added depth and consistency to my strokes.

With a purposeful follow-through, my shots had a natural depth that required less forced power, and my serves and second shots consistently landed near the back of the court. This technique allowed me to stay accurate while maintaining a rhythm I could trust.

These four keys—simplified form, relaxed grip, visual targets, and consistent follow-through—helped me achieve a 99% success rate in hitting deep serves and second shots. Mastering these elements created a reliable foundation in my game, allowing me to start rallies from a position of strength. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, focusing on these core techniques will give you the consistency you need to keep your serves and second shots deep and in nearly every time.