A driving serve is a simple serve that stays relatively low above the net and can generate some speed and power against your opponents. To hit a driving serve:

1. Hold your paddle by your pocket.

2. Stand a step behind the baseline with your feet together.

3. Take a step with your non-paddle-side leg toward the baseline. Remember to compress into your legs. Also, keep your feet and shoulders relatively square to the pickleball net. Try not to over-rotate with your feet or your shoulders, which could cause some inconsistency in the direction of your serve and lead to unnecessary unforced errors.

4. Lift and release the pickleball out in front of you.

5. Strike the pickleball using a pendulum swing from your shoulder. Remember to keep your wrist firm and stable.

6. Follow through the pickleball with your paddle in a more forward and horizontal direction that is out in front of your body.

Remember, the pickleball will follow the follow through of your paddle. Finish your serve in the direction that you want the pickleball to travel, which, on the driving serve, is more forward out in front of your body.

Key Takeaways:

1. A driving serve is very similar to the basic serve, except that you will focus on generating some speed and power against your opponents.

2. To hit a driving serve, keep the same mechanics as the basic serve (as discussed in a prior lesson). However, your follow through should be in a more forward and horizontal direction that is out in front of your body.