Most players treat the serve as a way to start the point. Get it in. Move on.
But at higher levels, the serve is where you can start gaining control immediately.
Zane Navratil breaks down what’s changed, and it comes down to one simple shift.
Depth Is Required. Height Is What Creates the Advantage
Depth is still the foundation of a good serve. You want to keep your opponent back and make their return more difficult.
But what’s separating players now is what they’re adding on top of that.
Height.
When you hit a flat, line-drive serve, your opponent only has to time the ball in one direction. It’s predictable.
But when you add height and shape, the ball is rising as they make contact. Now they have to time it both forward and upward.
That’s where mistakes start showing up.
How to Add Height Without Losing Depth
The adjustment isn’t about swinging harder. It’s about changing how you move through the ball.
Instead of staying flat and forward load more on your back foot, let your shoulders work upward, and focus on getting underneath the ball.
You’re still transferring forward, but now you’re adding shape.
A simple way to work on this is aiming to get your serve 4–6 feet above the net while still landing deep.
That combination is what creates pressure.
It Only Works If Your Base Is Stable
Adding height and shape requires more control over your body and timing.
If your base is off, your serve becomes inconsistent fast.
You lose depth. You lose control. You lose the advantage.
That’s why this adjustment doesn’t just come down to your swing. It comes down to what you’re standing on.
Gear That Supports the Adjustment
You can catch Zane Navratil playing the XRZ2™ pickleball shoes, built to help players move more efficiently, stay stable, generate more power, and play better for longer.
The XRZ2™ helps you stay centered through your serve with:
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A geometrically engineered toe box for a more stable base
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A lower-profile design for better court feel
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Reinforced lateral support to keep you from drifting
When your base is stable, it’s easier to control trajectory, depth, and timing.
And that’s what turns your serve from something neutral into something your opponent has to deal with.
Shop the XRZ2™ Pickleball Shoe
