If you’ve played pickleball for a while, you may have heard of the “banana serve.” It’s not as common as other serves, but it’s definitely a fun and tricky one to add to your game. The banana serve gets its name from the way the ball curves—similar to the shape of a banana—and can be a great way to throw off your opponents.
Let’s break down what makes this serve special, how to execute it, and why you might want to consider adding it to your toolkit.
What Makes the Banana Serve Special?
The banana serve isn’t something you see every day in pickleball, which is exactly why it can be so effective. The idea is to hit the ball in a way that adds side spin, making it curve either to the left or right, depending on your execution. This serve can be especially useful because most players aren’t used to dealing with this type of movement. The ball can end up curving into unexpected spots—right at your opponent’s weaker side or even pulling them off the court.
The curve on the ball can really mess with your opponent’s expectations. If you hit the serve right at them, they might think it’s going to their backhand, only to have it curve towards their forehand. This kind of unpredictability makes the banana serve a sneaky tool that can set you up for easy points.
How to Hit the Banana Serve
Executing the banana serve takes some practice, but it’s not as difficult as it might seem. Here’s how you can get started:
- The Grip: To get that signature curve, you need the right grip. The recommended grip for the banana serve is the Continental grip or even an Eastern grip. To find the Continental grip, imagine your paddle is a stop sign. Place your index knuckle and the bottom of your palm on bevel number two of the stop sign shape. This grip helps you come under and around the ball, creating the spin needed for that banana-like curve.
- Contact Point: The trick to getting the right spin is all about where and how you hit the ball. You want to make contact a little lower and slightly further behind than with a standard serve. By doing this, you create the right angle to make the ball curve outward. It’s almost like brushing the ball as you make contact, which adds that spin that sends it off to the side.
- Practice on the Windscreen: One of the best ways to practice the banana serve is against a windscreen or fence. When you hit the ball against the windscreen, try to make it “jump” off to the side after contact. If it’s curving properly, you’ll see the ball take off in a different direction. Once you’re comfortable with this, you can take it to the court and start aiming for specific spots in the service box.
Here’s a simple, no-nonsense guide to mastering the banana serve without overcomplicating it:
Where to Aim the Banana Serve
Once you’ve got the mechanics down, it’s all about using the serve strategically. Here are two effective spots to target:
- Right at Your Opponent: Aiming directly at your opponent can be surprisingly effective, especially with the banana serve. As the ball curves, it can force them to move awkwardly, especially if they’re expecting it to come to one side and it suddenly veers to the other. This is also the safer option because you reduce the risk of hitting the ball out.
- Down the Middle or Out Wide: If you’re feeling confident, try aiming down the middle or out wide. On the right side, going out wide can pull your opponent off the court, giving you control of the rally right away. On the left side, aiming down the middle can also force them into an uncomfortable position, especially if they struggle with lateral movement. Keep in mind that these options carry more risk of missing wide, but they can be very rewarding if you pull them off.
Why Use the Banana Serve?
The biggest advantage of the banana serve is its unpredictability. Not many players are used to seeing a serve that curves like this, which makes it a great way to catch your opponent off guard. It’s especially useful against players who are less mobile or struggle to adjust quickly to changing ball paths. It can force errors, create weak returns, and set you up for easy put-aways.
That said, it’s not a serve you want to overuse. Part of what makes the banana serve so effective is the element of surprise. If you throw it in a couple of times during a match, especially at crucial moments, it can be a game-changer.