Learn The Pickleball Spin Serve in 5 Minutes

[@dominicaligam4758]

Can't focus on the video coz of the amazing juggling skills of the guy in the back..lol...

[@sheaunderwood]

But did you see the guy in the gorilla costume?

[@RottweilerAtHeart]

@@sheaunderwood 😂

[@aurimasmackevicius8120]

To mutch talk.

[@TeenyPort]

Next video you do should be how to get away with your illegal spin serve

[@mtnmindy]

The juggler in the back was all I could focus on! Now I'll have to watch it again and this time pay attention to what you're actually saying 🤣🤣

[@danmitchell1143]

Please correct me if I’m wrong. I was with the understanding that new rules prohibit putting any spin on the ball prior to hitting it with your paddle. You can apply the spin by hitting the ball but not allowed to spin the ball as it leaves your hand. Correct or not?

[@ita8249]

Yes I heard that rule will apply in 2023 😂

[@DrBradyHurst]

I thought that in 2023 you could still put spin on it just not using your pedal hand or the paddle itself to generate spin. Am I wrong?

[@matthewbannon8187]

Paddle yes, toss no

[@matthewbannon8187]

Or if the paddle creates the spin it is still legal

[@TeddyR_Official]

ILLEGAL now. Just like in table tennis, there should be NO SPIN on the ball before you hit it with the paddle.

[@innermostbeing]

Desperate I was looking for this video. Thank you!! I'll try this next time.

[@mrEC]

Rule 4.A.5 - Spinning the Ball on a Serve is no Longer Allowed.

[@jdp1956]

Great instructions and demonstration!

[@mikeconner2627]

Thanks Shea!

[@Renerator]

Cool vid man! Did the spin serve get outlawed in 2023?

[@bencollett5166]

So, with the new rules for 2023 are finger spin serves legal in tournaments?

[@GlenYancha]

I hear that pre spinning on serves will be banned starting in 2023

[@jeremiahcausing7840]

So this is now illegal right?

[@givensuman]

It's illegal to give the ball any upward force in a drop serve, the snapping motion seems to do just that

[@bryandbaker]

Very cool. This video explains the Morgan Evans “snap” spin serve, generated by holding the ball between the thumb and middle finger. I’m more of a fan of the Shea Underwood “cricket” spin serve, generated by holding the ball between the index and middle finger. I feel I get a more controlled toss but slightly less spin with the Shea. I’m going to start working harder on the snap because I like the idea of presenting the exact same wrist position (curled or prone) but being able to choose either odd or even spin between the two techniques. Thanks to this vid, maybe I can finally get the control I’m missing. Curled/snap = odd (server’s right). Curled/Shea/palm toward server = even (server’s left). Prone/snap = even (server’s left). Prone/Shea/palm toward server = odd (server’s right). I’ve been criticized by friends claiming that their eyes are too weak to identify the spin, making it unfair. I then ask if they’ve watched the videos, and give them sources, they ALWAYS say no. I then offer to explain how to read it in 30s or less, and they always say no (I often do anyway-my wife’s nickname for me is Brainy Smurf). Finally criticism of unfairness due to vision is bunk because the returner’s partner is at the kitchen, much closer, and can simply call “left” or “right” at the moment of the toss. That’s what I do for my partners and it works great.

[@pingo20190]

it is illegal to manipulate or spin the ball prior to hitting it. See rule 4.5.A

[@josephpaul4548]

Sorry, couldn't get the hang of the spin serve but I did learn to juggle. Thank that guy for me.

[@melayarajawsu]

Thank you

[@badbill8204]

The new rules do say you cannot spin the ball with your hand

[@davidrandall701]

Excellent!!! I can't snap with my left hand so I appreciate that tidbit and the part about how to make the toss go where you want. Thanks! Also, I can juggle so can I be in the background of a video? ;)

[@sheaunderwood]

Truthfully I couldn’t snap with my left hand either until I started learning how to for this toss. It’s no so hard after some practice. Would love to have you in a video when we get to meet someday!

[@denisedonald6345]

I unconditionally love your shirt 🙂

[@sheaunderwood]

Thank you 🙏 Love Agape!!!

[@erikongou3856]

Do you use the snap method now instead of putting it between your index and niddle finger?

[@sheaunderwood]

I use both of them now! I mention it at the end of the video. Having both variations is a deadly combo

[@KRWelling]

Very good tutorial with just one correction. Something spinning on a vertical axis spins like a top. What you’re describing, spinning like tires on a car, is spin on a horizontal axis.

[@sheaunderwood]

Yeah you’re totally right. I failed physics in college oops

[@MrRob111]

@@sheaunderwood You're too funny, Shea😂

[@ashevillescarborough]

I thought the ball was not allowed to go up with a serve? Seems to happen when the ball is snapped…Good content and thanks

[@sheaunderwood]

Totally legal! The difference in the rule book is “volley serve” vs. “drop serve”

[@ashevillescarborough]

@@sheaunderwood I see now, the “you can’t toss the ball” applies to the drop serve, but not the volley or standard serve, time to start practicing! This could be a lot of fun to slip in against some of the more skilled players locally, haha

[@ChrisOlson2]

Good stuff as always!! You are really going to mess people up on the court 😂

[@sheaunderwood]

Correction: WE* are going to mess people up on the court. Watch out Griffin 🤫

[@YT-User1013]

Learn how to do it in 5 minutes, be able to do it in 5 months. Great instructions and demonstration!

[@sheaunderwood]

You got this bro! Just do a few snaps a day when you’re bored and you’ll have it in no time

[@Vista114]

Thanks for the instructional video but spin serves are now officially disallowed.

[@chegasprez5162]

Thanks for tips. Any advice for someone like me who can't snap or squeeze the ball (due to dislocated fingers)? I've tried spinning it by rotating wrist, but it's effect is negligible. Thanks.

[@sheaunderwood]

Have you tried using your dominant hand like I showed at the end of the video?

[@chegasprez5162]

Unfortunately, I don't have full use of fingers on both hands. Luckily, I can still grab paddles with thick grips....so not all is lost.

[@lizlemon9632]

Excellent explanation…precise. Thx.

[@sheaunderwood]

Thank you Liz! Glad it helped and thanks for your support 🙏

[@paulwoods3214]

is this a legal or accepted serve?

[@Stevelalala]

I read spinning with your hand that is holding the ball while serving is now illegal as of 2023.

[@markepps3511]

Will eventually be banned, as in table tennis, where you have to throw the ball up from a flat hand. Could be that they enforce the bounce serve, like in padel.

[@videosrus99]

Mention of cricket and spin conjures up memories of one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time, Deadly Derek Underwood. You related Shea?

[@sheaunderwood]

Deadly Derek Underwood 🤝 Deadliest Serve in Pickleball. I’ll tell uncle you said hey

[@MrRob111]

Are these directions exactly the same for lefties?

[@sheaunderwood]

Yeah! Same physics apply of course. That’s why I said non-dominant hand vs right hand :)

[@MrRob111]

@@sheaunderwood Yes, I caught that distinction in your video. Just checking. thanks!

[@spencerlanierpb]

Shea you should also do a video it doesn’t have to be long but how to read the spin of the ball based on if there wrist is open or closed just to help people who struggle with it. It really helps to know how to do the spin serve to know where the ball will bounce when you face someone with it. Like the content👍

[@sheaunderwood]

Hey man! Check out this video from The Pickleball Mafia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXSccqipl56kfJI Chris Olson (The Pickleball Studio) also has a great video on how to return them 👍 I’ll prob drop an advanced vid in the topic soon

[@gabelstapler19]

I was trying to practice, but couldn't generate any spin on the ball, despite being able to snap just fine. It finally hit me that my hand are super dry, and the ball was just squeezing upwards. When I wet my middle finger with a little sweat, I got some spin. Maybe I'll have more success with your index/middle method.

[@sheaunderwood]

Interesting, feel free to send me a video if you want and I can look at it and offer some advice. If it’s just squeezing upwards you can A: Add more pressure with both the middle and thumb (squeeze harder) and or B: grip the ball slightly higher than the X’s. Also if your dominant hand is stronger than maybe give that a go and see if you can apply what you learn to your non dominant hand.

[@bryandbaker]

Rather than right/left, I like to think of spin as odd/even. As in, the arc in the air and the kick off the ground carrying the ball to the outside of the opponent’s odd court or to the outside of the opponent’s even court. Simplifies things for me, it’s a simple and quick enough mnemonic to use during games. Morgan Evans uses clockwise and counterclockwise. Too much mental gymnastics for me. The odd spin (server’s right) will kick (unexpectedly to a spin-noob) to the server’s odd court, the even spin to the server’s even court. Again, simple. My central question when I spin a serve is whether a want to use that kick off my opponent’s paddle to draw the return toward or away from my partner (or me), and toward or away from my partner’s forehand or pull the return off the court if I think the returner is targeting his backhand. Very handy to know where the next ball is going and to control that decision for them.

[@sheaunderwood]

Wow I have never considered that central question about dictating where the return goes based off the serve. I mentally keep notes as to what type of serve to a specific player yields a poor return but never thought about the spin impacting which player the ball is returned too. Super smart!

[@bryandbaker]

@@sheaunderwood yes, if you like to shake n bake, or just have a streaky partner, this is very handy.

[@nathanthomas7533]

This is very useful. I've been having issues with the cricket finger grip getting the ball to kick to the left, but to the right it kicks pretty well. I think it has to do with footwork and being rushed with my paddle or maybe my swing is reducing the spin. I don't know why I have a hard time with the toss getting to the right hip from the left side. Snap method might work better for that for me. Thanks for the content.

[@sheaunderwood]

Happy to hear that Nathan! Feel free to send me clips of you trying if you want some feedback along the way 👍

[@robertdavis1836]

Too bad this type of spin serve is illegal starting 1/1/23.

[@GarrettKistler]

This is now illegal - You can not spin the ball before serving

[@thereal_nsxdavid]

USA Pickleball Rules 4.A.5. 4.A.5. The serve shall be made with only one hand releasing the ball. While some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball from the hand, the server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the ball with any part of the body immediately prior to the serve.

[@davidige276]

I can't do the snap spin, maybe because my hands are small. What I find is easier is the pinch serve like what Jorja Johnson does. Thumb and middle finger on holes and pinch, no wrist movement. I can get good spin going clockwise, but counter clockwise is more difficult so I'll use the cricket serve for that.

[@sheaunderwood]

Do you have a link to a video showing Jorja’s serve?

[@davidige276]

@@sheaunderwood kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpzQhICXiaeSbMk

[@davidige276]

A good view at the 45 minute mark. JW was using it earlier this year then stopped.

[@halohawkxx]

I might need the help via Discord Man 🤣 I can't do the Snap Serve for the life of me even after seeing this and following along; but I can do the Cricket Serve very consistently. I'll message you there

[@jw4321]

I think this serve has been made thanks and void.

[@murali1754]

So looks like pre-spinning the ball before serving will be illegal starting from 2023

[@lcbelly]

You know I'm down for any spin serve content! I still do my spin serves with the cricket finger grip. I find that to be easier, stronger, and more efficient, plus, I can switch the direction the ball kicks on a dime without having to move my body at all. Which do you prefer, Shea, the cricket grip (in between the middle and pointer finger) or the snap grip shown in this video?

[@sheaunderwood]

I prefer my variation still. I’m stronger with it and more consistent. I think the snap can be much more deceptive and harder to read though. I think it’s a super advantage to have both. They’re pretty easy to pick up in my experience if you spend time working on the toss. Edit: I also think the snap is easier to learn for most people which is why I made this video about it.

[@lcbelly]

@@sheaunderwood my favorite part about the cricket grip is that if I put my middle finger on top the ball kicks right while putting my middle finger on the bottom gets the ball to kick right. Super deceptive without having to change my serve stance in any way.

[@nathanhartwig4338]

If I'm not mistaken, in 2023 the spin serve will not be legal anymore.

[@lloydsmith759]

I get a fair amount of spin on the toss like that, but the paddle contact seems to erase it. All I see as the ball goes over the net is pure top spin. Head Gravity Lite. Anyone else worked through this problem?

[@princegraham71]

great presentation. great breakdown. you have been at it.....

[@sheaunderwood]

Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!

[@tomcaron9113]

I thought spinning the ball in the hand and not the paddle was illegal when serving?

[@sheaunderwood]

One-handed spin serves are perfectly legal 👍

[@oclearning]

I understand in 2023 they now make it illegal to spin the ball in your hand before serving?

[@hahahahagrin]

New rules for Pickleball 2022 do not allow this "jimmy" serve. It's illegal and an unfair advantage says USPA

[@Pocket8s4dawin]

bros a professional yapper

[@SultanKhan66]

When you "snap the ball it automatically goes sideways.

[@Madshadowgolem]

I predict they will change the rule to require an open palm serve (like ping pong). These are fun but they always nerf these tricks eventually.

[@JavierElRey]

And now they have. How prescient of you. Well done.

[@stevespencer4137]

I would like to learn to juggle like the guy in the background

[@williamwalker1159]

Cool trick but 100% illegal. The ball can’t go up unless it’s coming off a bounce from the ground.

[@randyscheller3304]

Thats illegal to spin the ball

[@g.b.miller9165]

The server has the option of dropping the ball and hitting it after the bounce. The ball can be dropped from any height but cannot be thrown, tossed, or otherwise released with any added force to bounce it. Your serve looks like it is illegal !

[@donaldlenardson6291]

Illegal!

[@monkeyzeetube]

that's fun to do but it is illegal to do in a tournament.

[@water00550]

If you do this and the ball is not hit due to a bad toss, you must declare a fault. Therefore, the pickleball toss should be stipulated to be done only once.

[@donbattista894]

With the new rules added, this is now an illegal serve correct?

[@bertwagner2623]

That is an illegal serve you are demonstrating. See USA Pickleball Rules for 2023: 4.A.5. The serve shall be made with only one hand releasing the ball. While some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball from the hand, the server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the ball with any part of the body immediately prior to the serve. In fact, it is illegal in table tennis too, a sport that inspired pickelball.

[@sheaunderwood]

Thanks Bert

[@karennippard7053]

I would rather watch the guy in the background 😂

[@lindacole7393]

You're actually describing, and requiring, a "perfectly horizontal axis" . Yup.

[@jasonmissimer2067]

By the comments. I'm sure you do a great job on whatever you're explaining. But I just can't get past that. This was a game created for no reason other than to make it just a good rime for everyone. Now all of a sudden we have Championships, and spin shots?!?!? 🤦‍♂️

[@sheaunderwood]

Thanks for your comment Jason :) I’d like to think this game is inclusive enough to support both very casual and competitive play. I hope one day you and I can hit some balls around in person, I know we’ll have a blast! 🤙

[@Southern_PowerPro_Wash_LLC]

No one talking about dude in back juggeling

[@AJCsr]

Wait, what'd you say ? I see a squirrel...

[@sheaunderwood]

🤣

[@TheGatorator]

Ironic how he has today's wordle on his shirt

[@iSukAtCards]

How is that ironic?

[@tombeecher2152]

I believe that this snap serve will be illegal in 2023.

[@crying34]

Illegal since 2023 btw

[@lymedog3176]

Take this site down , that shot is illegal now!…. You can bounce serve and get just as much spin.

[@windowman9406]

Pickleball will have fully grown up when this serve is banned

[@sheaunderwood]

You should submit a rule suggestion to get it banned 👍

[@windowman9406]

@@sheaunderwood can a "regular Joe" do that? I'd love to. Can you provide a link?

[@patricksnyder3446]

So you can't have a paddle that supposedly spins to much but you can use a serve that spins to much! that's okay it will be gone in 6 months!

[@sheaunderwood]

Perhaps 🤔

[@sharoncayen6301]

I thought it was illegal to toss the ball.

[@sheaunderwood]

The rule book defines a “volley serve” and a “drop serve”. This is a volley serve and therefore ok to toss the ball. If I let the ball bounce first or “drop” then it would not be ok to toss it up.

[@thiaco6203]

I am with Sharon on this one. I was just told this week it is illegal.

[@ba177ba18]

lol pickle ball 😆

[@sheaunderwood]

You like it?

[@mavisowens4788]

This is an illegal serve now, right?

[@urielcurbelo4211]

Starting 2023 , this is illegal 😳? ?

[@anoka114]

Screw all these fancy serves you people that are new are trying to bring into this game. Serve was never intended to dominate the the game of pickleball. Court play was!! And if you suck at that quit playing!!!

[@sheaunderwood]

1v1 me no spin serves

[@AmatsuDragneel]

Who are you to tell someone to quit pickleball if they’re bad at court play? Leave them the hell alone, you can’t expect everyone to be experts in sports

[@anoka114]

@@AmatsuDragneel You need to read my post again. I was referring to those that want to change all the pickleball rules to quit playing, like the serve, etc. I actually help coach up to 50 beginners a night so I hardly expect everyone to be an expert.

[@fredsbook]

Totally illegal serve. Maybe years ago, but no more due to rules changes.

[@mickeypayne5779]

I don't understand

[@sheaunderwood]

What’s wrong? How can I help?

[@Docteurhanikarout]

@@sheaunderwood not enough explanation on body position and the actual hit of the ball.

[@MrHeybert]

This Serve is illegal now with the new rules

[@svengalilord]

This is now illegal as it should be. Don't bother trying to learn it.

[@j7404]

They are making it legal next year

[@dominionn09]

Useless right about now since it's illegal

[@richardstreetman998]

Unfortunately no longer legal.

[@iKumala]

Guess this is illegal now?

[@alexandreinamasu81]

Guy in the back so distracting lol…

[@sheaunderwood]

Lol, I told him to go back there and just give people something to look at 😂

[@mattdunfee107]

banned..funny

[@johnmadison267]

This is an illegal serve.. You should know better..

[@20891]

U wasted 5 min talking

[@speedking1353]

This spin is illegal from 2023

[@huikh2r]

it is banned in 2023

[@keeeystone]

The amount of “spin serves are illegal” comments I get when I play rec games… 🙄🥱

[@sheaunderwood]

To be fair the rules surrounding it can be a bit confusing haha

[@keeeystone]

@@sheaunderwoodagreed that it needs to be clarified and having multiple different rules on it at the pro level doesn’t help, but at the amateur level it is all legal so shouldn’t be an issue in rec games… alas…

[@thiaco6203]

That is what i have been hearing this week…