Serving is your big moment to show everyone on the court what you’ve got. It’s also the only shot in pickleball that lets you work entirely on your own terms. Rushing through the serve is one of the most common causes of service faults. Take your time to do things right and make sure you’ve completed the following steps before you serve it up:
 

1. Let the previous point go.
   If you lost the previous point, take a moment to think about what you could have done differently. Then forgive yourself and let it go. A brand-new point means new opportunities to succeed where you previously may have faltered. A quick check-in with your partner through eye contact, a paddle tap, and some encouraging words (“We got this! Keep it going!”) will quickly erase any past regrets while lifting your team up at the same time.
    
2. Create your own serving routine and stick to it.
   You might try bouncing the ball five times, drying your sweat on your shirt, twirling your paddle in your hand, or whatever repetitive action helps you refocus for the next rally.
    
3. Note where your opponents are standing and then choose a target.
   Is the receiver standing way off to one side, perhaps to avoid using their forehand or backhand? Are they standing right on the baseline, or several feet back? These are all clues as to where you might want to aim your serve. Be sure to select your target before you begin your service motion. The receiver’s partner, who is standing up at the kitchen line, might try to intimidate you by hugging the centerline. Don’t let this influence you into serving out wide if that wasn’t your plan. If your serve just so happens to end up hitting this player, it’s your point!
    
4. Call the score and let it settle.
   Sometimes the other players on the court won’t agree with the score you’ve just called. It’s best to get the matter of the score sorted out before beginning the next point. Also, many players tend to serve while calling the score simultaneously, which typically results in less than optimum results. Not only is this illegal — the rules say you must call the entire score before beginning your serve — but it’s also needless multitasking! It’s the same reason we stopped chewing gum while juggling on our unicycles.

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Excerpted from Pickleball For Dummies – available now wherever books are sold.