This Serve is Taking Over Pickleball! The Big Papa Jimmy Serve Tutorial

[@pickleballplaybook]

Amped Pickleball Paddle 👉www.selkirk.com/products/amped-pro-air-invikta-pickleball-paddle?variant=41374121099366&sca_ref=4516571.n0z0Xqk6sI

[@zp753]

Great video! If I could leave some criticism regarding the editing, it would be to always have your feet in the frame when demonstrating any sort of movement. Additionally, consider showing yourself hitting the shot you’re teaching immediately after showing the original. This would give viewers confidence that it’s possible within the first 10 seconds of the video, rather than making them wait until the end to see its possible to hit with the same power as the original.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Yes definitely! Really hard to get the framing so it can see my feet and my face the whole time without being far away but I think I should just start setting up another camera further away! Thank you

[@timhouser]

Also, when talking about how the server should align their feet, etc. you look like you are imagining a net off to our right, out of frame. You're not using the actual net in the shot as the net, post, etc. towards which you are aligning. If you have to move the camera so you can face the camera, then move it. Good vid. Thanks for breaking it down for us.

[@louistorres]

You have 19 fucking subscribers!! Please, shut your mouth!! Everyone wants to share their opinion, when no one asked. It's worse when you have 19 subscribers and zero content that's worth watching. Unless you have thousands of subscribers, take a fucking seat. It's a great video and unless you can do better, again shut your mouth!

[@unholywarrior9007]

Ya was hoping tovsee if they were hopping ir jumping

[@jeffhoward5076]

But if his feet are in the frame we would have to look at those socks over the pants the whole time 😂

[@niniyaya7392]

summary steps for people: watch full video for detailed steps. 1. feet pointed to side post, closed or open stance, small/slight knee bend (higher jumps) 2. ball toss is to the side and front of your knee to give the most space for plough-through and rotation 2.5. bringing your elbow inwards like a T-rex to open your shoulder and generate a lot of rotational power as you finish over your shoulder. 3. using your legs to finish the rotation by stepping through your swing path. steps 1+2+3 to generate the best rotational form

[@pickleballplaybook]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ginjaninja3627]

Do you point to the right side lost no matter which side you’re serving from?

[@pickleballplaybook]

@@ginjaninja3627 yes, cause on the right side you want to turn towards the opponents right side and on the left side you want to turn more towards the opponents left side. This allows you to do this.

[@ThePOSSM]

Thank you for the breakdown. Going to give this a shot. As a former baseball guy, but not a racket guy, figuring out the consistency of this has taken more time than I would have thought. But that just makes it more challenging and fun, which I love

[@pickleballplaybook]

I look forward to hearing how it went!

[@Fearless-1]

Bombing serves is the "easy part". As a tennis player, I use a closed stance, a large windup (backswing), put everthing I've got into the shot to hit 60 + MPH pickleball serves (radar gun). The ball whistles audibly through the air as it barely clears the net and lands just inside the baseline too. However, what PP doesn't mention is the "hard part" of achieving say 95+% consistency rate. Using a ball hopper, I've hit 1000s of practice serves. During game play, I've got to psychologically prep and concentrate to hit these type of serves IN. Overall though, a mixed approach is better for winning more points. Hit different placement, speed, trajectory, spin serves, then occasionally hit the fast ball for perhaps cheaply won points.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Definitely! It’s all about getting reps in and changing things up. Consistency is king

[@ATP360]

Cheaply? It takes 1000s of serves to be good at it. Mixing up serve placement and speed is a great point. But earned cheaply? Nope. It takes a lot of effort to get that point.

[@Fearless-1]

​@@ATP360 "Cheaply" is during game play (ace, service winner, weak return).

[@CharlesBrodheadIII]

Excellent presentation, thanks. This is really helpful for people who don't come from a tennis background. Your final serve at the end provides the perfect example to learn from. Will definitely implement!

[@pickleballplaybook]

Glad it was helpful! It all comes down to hip rotation and foot placement!

[@mariGentle]

I have struggled with my serve for years, this has really changed thanks to your video!

[@pickleballplaybook]

Great to hear!

[@H-s6p]

Excellent technique and explanation! … You’re also pretty easy on the eyes.😍

[@pickleballplaybook]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@madrum]

Love this! I totally missed where his feet were pointing before and after the serve when watching him in the last tournament.

[@pickleballplaybook]

You bet! Thanks for the recommendation on my last video 🙌

[@kento1957]

Considering the geometry and physics, I think maximizing the speed of the serve boils down to two things: The angle and topspin. The sharper the angle, the faster you can hit the ball and keep it in. Taller players naturally have a higher waist and this have that advantage. You can increase that angle by standing on your toe(s) and making contact as high as possible while keeping it legal. You can also get as close to the baseline as possible for an increased angle and actually make contact over the baseline while keeping your feet behind it. Topspin is self explanatory. Big Papa Jimmy puts all of this together.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Nice!! 👍 big papa knows what’s up

[@jarednieman437]

Thanks for this video! I definitely picked up the pace a bit copying his method and using this video. However, after seeing "Jimmy" play in person....man, the guy is a super freak. His fast twitch is just super human. I can video myself doing it and it looks similar, but like slow motion :)

[@pickleballplaybook]

Glad it helped!

[@fernandoherranz4095]

I think part of his power is really coming not just from his twist motion but also from the slight hop he does as he's serving. It's as if he's hitting the ball with all his weight with that hop which gives him a lot of speed as a result. Reminds me a bit of martial arts actually.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Exactly! The hop has to happen after contact to be legal. At the end of the video I do the same thing with open stance and I definitely hop after contact

[@chengiggler]

it's very similar to a muay thai kick - positioning your feet and body, hopping onto the supporting leg, and then generating a huge amount of torque starting with the hips and whipping through the muscle chain.

[@paladin1726]

He's got a little Bruce Lee and a little Dan Marino in him.

[@dcppcp]

Watching that serve in slow motion you can see why there is so much talk about changing the rules to only be the drop serve to eliminate the illegal serve. In real time it is so difficult to see but in .25 slow motion at the moment of ball contact the head of the paddle is clearly above the wrist making it an illegal serve. You mentioned that James dips his paddle in his swing which is true, however at the moment of impact the paddle head is above the wrist due to him wanting to create topspin. It's evident at the 4:44 time mark when you pause it when the ball is at the bottom of the paddle. However saying all that, your serve at the end of the video is totally legit. Nicely done.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Exactly!

[@chrisgreener3654]

I believe the wrist motion needs more attention. It looks like he snaps his wrist like we did playing racquetball. Going to guess but probably the easiest component to increase speed with. It’s interesting that some Pickleball pros advocate for a locked wrist serving and others don’t.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Snapping wrist is actually bad form. You’ll be very inconsistent by doing this. He relaxes through contact but doesn’t snap. Hopefully that helps. Wish I would have explained this in the video! Thanks

[@johnquincy8048]

I agree looks like he snaps his wrist to me.

[@kalo8524]

Both snapping your wrist and locking it are bad technique. You want wrist lag, where you point the butt of the paddle to the ball and allow your wrist to follow the natural motion of the paddle. Tennis players know this, but pickleball doesn't really require any technique it's not a competitive game.

[@SEANRMZ]

thanks for the break down, that is an awesome PB hub setup :)

[@pickleballplaybook]

You bet! It sure is. It’s my friend Luke’s.

[@EK-gf7yu]

Great video I would of like to see you do the serve though even if it was slow motion but you explained great. What grip is he using you didn't say that??

[@pickleballplaybook]

Continental!

[@smd3697]

Thanks for the thurough breakdown! I am curious, where did the “Big Papa” moniker come from?

[@pickleballplaybook]

It can from an interview one time where he called himself that haha. Very funny

[@James-mk8jp]

the grit on those selkirk paddles are sprayed on, don't last for more than a couple months

[@pickleballplaybook]

Sounds like you’ve watched my videos!

[@kosanmr2]

Great analysis and tips! Thank you very much. Hope you have a great holiday weekend! Haven't seen much of the black cat lately :( haha

[@pickleballplaybook]

The cat 🐈‍⬛ escaped to another neighborhood. I haven’t seen it in months sadly 😔. It took all its kittens too.

[@buggy659]

He greats lag. Same concept in pitching. Hip to shoulder separation

[@pickleballplaybook]

Very true

[@mr.howard3785]

Sounds like a golf swing to generate speed and power

[@pickleballplaybook]

Very similar

[@BAMA263]

Was thinking that too.

[@tomrmalcolm]

Interesting that a short knee bend allows more power than a deeper knee bend. Will definitely test this out!

[@pickleballplaybook]

Definitely! Let me know how it goes!

[@Golden_Fire_Chariots]

By bending your knees and lifting up on the shot allows you to accelerate the pendulum, this allows you create more topspin and in return you can hit the ball much harder with greater safety. Mass x acceleration= Force. This knowledge came from my great tennis coach that revolutionized the game of tennis, Oscar Wegner! Former Coach of 3x French open champion Gustavo Kuerten..

[@pickleballplaybook]

Love it!

[@awinter87]

what flavor Zyn's in your pocket tho?

[@pickleballplaybook]

Hahahaga

[@alangoo891]

Great service tip

[@pickleballplaybook]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kennethgeoheganrogichms4349]

When explaining open stance (vs. closed stance) you say that you prefer rotating your non-dominant leg back rather than the dominant leg forward. I agree that you can get as much rotation, but you are moving backwards, which contradicts point three that you make, to move forward during the serve. You are detracting from the total speed of the serve by subtracting your body motion from your arm motion rather than adding the two together.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Though your leg is moving backwards your momentum continues to move forwards. You still fall into the court after serving. Watch where I end Up after serving at the very end of the video. Inside the court

[@Knubs01]

Great serve he has! He reminds me of Tyson whereas some of their serves are really, really close to being illegal with the paddle being above the wrist at the point of impact. I'm sure players trying to imitate them will make some service faults, but no one will be able to prove it because it happens so fast and there are no highspeed video cameras at the courts. Good luck to their opponents! :-)

[@pickleballplaybook]

Exactly! They’ll continue pushing the limits until there aren’t any limits to be pushed. We will see what happens!

[@Dryskelol]

Was that an eastern or cont grip?

[@pickleballplaybook]

He hold continental

[@Kittykatattack]

What are the shorts you are wearing at 0:46? They look so nice! Btw great video!

[@pickleballplaybook]

Hey glad you enjoyed! Here’s the link to wolaco. They have tons of clothes. You get 20% off through this link 👍 www.wolaco.com/PLAYBOOK

[@jimmykez3066]

The difference between the dominant versus non-dominant rotation is where your momentum is going. I think taking a step forward is marginally better than taking a step back. Also, taking a step back could affect your follow-through.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Nice! I’d say that’s where implementing a hop after contact can help so bout feet are rotating. Notice my serve at the end of the video 👍

[@bethfoley84]

Could the step back version actually work as an offspeed pitch in baseball, to throw off reaction for a split second?

[@pickleballplaybook]

Sure. I don’t know if you’d be fooling anyone though 🤷

[@TroyHamilton-ov9my]

Question have order the Erin February 1 and don’t have it what would you do

[@pickleballplaybook]

That’s tough. It should be there anytime. It’s really a great machine, so I think it just depends on if you’d prefer to wait another month for the Titan.

[@benzbro350]

He's breaking the rule of having one foot on the ground. It sure looks like it when he jumps up.

[@pickleballplaybook]

If you slow it down he has one foot planted at contact. He jumps into the court after contact. hope that helps!

[@pl1532]

Look at his shoulder rotation. It starts there, everything follows until the final wrist snap.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Noice!

[@Smokeybuhda]

I think rules say one fit on the ground? I keep seeing these jumpers. Am I wrong?

[@pickleballplaybook]

At least one foot must be on the ground when you make contact! After contact you can take flight 🙌

[@Smokeybuhda]

@@pickleballplaybook thanks

[@killshotca8590]

new court for the videos? setup is siickkkk

[@pickleballplaybook]

I wish! It’s my friend Luke’s that he lets me use 🙌 really cool setup in there

[@killshotca8590]

@@pickleballplaybook Luke a real one😎

[@peteherrera1502]

How fast does he hit the pickleball?

[@pickleballplaybook]

We need to get a speed gun out and see how fast he’s hitting it! Would be very cool to find out 🙌

[@ralph7077]

It’s Poppa. 😏😉

[@pickleballplaybook]

There you go! haha

[@bethechange4726]

Great Video thanks

[@pickleballplaybook]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙌

[@MasterMurga]

Ahahaha that serve flies like 42 mph. Awesome "power"

[@pickleballplaybook]

One day you’ll get there my friend!

[@MasterMurga]

@pickleballplaybook i bet i can make instant point after my return on all of these "fast" serves. This is funny

[@bobhughes4162]

I find myself playing against players who practice having unreturnable “Ace”serves. This is how they win the majority of their points as they don’t want to have to play a return volly. The fact that keep serving every time they win a point is not right. I lost 11-0 start to players like this and never got to serve. I rejoined my tennis club were you can a tennis tiebreak game were you alternate serves every two serves and have given up pickelball.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Yeah it’s true!

[@TroyHamilton-ov9my]

Well think I get the titan after watching you’re video

[@pickleballplaybook]

I think it’s worth it but both are fantastic machines!

[@1andtwohalfmen-g2t]

Where can I buy the pickleball hat you are wearing?

[@pickleballplaybook]

Right here! Enjoy Use code PLAYBOOK10 for 10% off! www.pickleballplaybook.app/merch/p/golden-mist-cup-weny8-h4b4a-nkfgk-hlgp7-7prfk

[@LyB758]

Aww so cool 👍🏼😉thanks 😊

[@pickleballplaybook]

🙌🙌🙌

[@DannyBPlays]

Tut is fine, but weird that you never actually show yourself doing the serve

[@pickleballplaybook]

Thanks Danny! Will improve that next time

[@clydewmorgan]

you tucked your pajamas into your socks. lol

[@pickleballplaybook]

Haha gotta rep those bombas! 🙌

[@evelynmurphy9102]

Does that racket have an extended handle for a two-handed backhand?

[@ShinyTurd1]

I hope this doesn’t become a look.

[@Dantanalicious]

I think James comment would be - I just play like a tennis player would play…

[@pickleballplaybook]

Haha yes!

[@doc-bj4bj]

This is James. Great job. Just like my serve. 😅 Just kidding.

[@pickleballplaybook]

haha this comment is awesome! Thanks for chiming in "James"

[@Everheartt]

4:10 you mean inside of the knee right?

[@pickleballplaybook]

No outside. Inside would be in between my legs

[@Everheartt]

@@pickleballplaybook got it! Thanks. From the angle I thought it was between your legs. Thanks for clarifying

[@pickleballplaybook]

From the angle at 4:10? I don’t know if I could do an angle that’d demonstrate it much better. Any suggestions?

[@Everheartt]

@@pickleballplaybook I think a view straight from your eyes would actually be kinda cool. Could see the ball and angle perfectly. Also a front view would have worked. However I’m probably the only person who had the confusion so you’re doing an awesome job

[@pickleballplaybook]

Noted!

[@jagger9031]

Cool court

[@pickleballplaybook]

🙌🙌🙌

[@EricShapiro-wx5ju]

The dark walls are key. I hate that so many places by me have white walls and flat lighting.

[@dbweb.creative]

The question is... why no one does a toss serve? It would add extra power and potentially spin, no?

[@pickleballplaybook]

What’s a toss serve?

[@dbweb.creative]

do a high toss (so high that it potentially hits a flying goose or two) on a volley serve. I understand that it's a bit more difficult to hit the ball this way, but I'd think pros got that covered. So I wonder why no one is doing a high toss on a volley serve, wouldn't it add more spin and speed? Or is it dubious from the "no-spin on toss" rule side of things?

[@pickleballplaybook]

It’d be coming back down with more speed but how would that add more outward speed exactly? (Pros can’t toss the ball at all, they have to drop it). Thanks for your explanation!

[@dbweb.creative]

hmm where is the rule that prohibits tossing upward on a volley serve? It would add more outward speed because a faster incoming ball will bring its own energy, the rebound would be stronger.

[@pickleballplaybook]

This video will answer your question 👍 Professional referee explains NEW 2024 serve rules. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5TYXmmdfMydqLs

[@spelunkerd]

I know he's a master, but his swing seems home made and self taught.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Very true! It’s very unique

[@acarter2072]

Nice job!

[@pickleballplaybook]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kathywolfe9020]

I read the rules it must form an arc. This means from low to high.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Yes 👍

[@nogoodwolf]

I am right handed yet my left leg is dominant.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Very interesting. Do you prefer open stance or closed stance?

[@rayraymartineziii]

Your allowed to jump when you serve? Because that's why it's so fast.

[@pickleballplaybook]

One foot must be down when you make contact 👍

[@mikenoll1747]

I thought at least one foot has to be touching the ground on serves. Both of his feet are in the air when he serves.

[@pickleballplaybook]

They actually aren’t. If you slow down the footage he’s planted 👍

[@gg80108]

The only think more annoying than jumping around, it is Nadel picking at a wedgey

[@pickleballplaybook]

Haha true that!

[@_STNML]

This is all common sense for athletes. In a couple years when more of them start playing, this game will be unrecognizable

[@pickleballplaybook]

So true! There are some freaks of nature out there that will dominate

[@kento1957]

Is there proof that he has the actual fastest serve? Radar gun checking the MPH? Then we'd need to see someone implementing his technique and checking th MPH before and after.

[@pickleballplaybook]

I’m friends with majority of the pros and they’ve all said he has passed Dekel Bar with having the most power on his serve. Would be fun to do a speed gun test between Big Papa, Dekel, Tyson, and Ben! As a side note, Adam Stone recently said while commentating that James has the fastest serve of all the pros. You can watch that by watching the mixed doubles gold medal match of the recent PPA Vizzy tournament in Georgia! James and Anna vs AL and Ben

[@kento1957]

@@pickleballplaybook Cool. Watching the serve in slo mo, it seems the little hop he takes enables him to get a better downward angle with topspin on the ball which allows the increased speed.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Yeah I’d agree!

[@dingbingbong]

It looks like James leaves the ground on his serve. I thought one foot had to stay on the ground for a pickleball serve.

[@pickleballplaybook]

He doesn’t. He just hops after he hits 👍

[@robertwilson7500]

While I understand the camera angle you have in the tutorial is following the same as James’s angle; it would be nice to have a camera viewpoint from the net facing towards you so you don’t have to turn back and look at the camera ! Thanks for the cideo

[@pickleballplaybook]

Noted! Thank you 🙏

[@memyselfandi3242]

Thats about $1999.00 Canadian. Oh well...

[@pickleballplaybook]

Worth it 100%!

[@LakeForestGroup]

The biggest downside for these types of Selkirk paddles is how fast the grit wears off :/

[@pickleballplaybook]

Very true!!

[@natedbro8351]

So... ignore the rules? Luke no tossing the ball or feet on the ground or paddle low too high or wrists higher than paddle! Slow Mo the surves they are ALL really close to illegal illegal.

[@pickleballplaybook]

His serve looks illegal cause he lifts so high but you can’t really notice it unless it’s in slow motion

[@roosterqmoney]

I don't think so. It seems pretty clear they his serve is not legal. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it seems so borderline that it should cause big problems due to inconsistency inherant to being human

[@captainclutch8463]

does a demo on foot work but doesn't show your feet is wild lol

[@pickleballplaybook]

🙌🙌🙌 glad you enjoyed the footwork

[@frostfox1208]

Excuse me but no one has clocked my serve:-)

[@pickleballplaybook]

lol!

[@LyB758]

Thanks for advice on serving faster 👍🏼BTW if you Pro’s have any used pickleball paddles you’d like to donate to senior citizens from Las Cruces, NM 88001 Meerscheidt community center. I for one could sure use one since I was told my pickle ball paddle looked like a toddlers . 🤷🏽‍♀️66 years old and 70 year old. My husband and I just started playing Pickle ball 👍🏼we love playing pickle ball😁we both have the same so called toddler pads😂🤣 B&L 👍🏼

[@pickleballplaybook]

Cool, you bet! I’ll see what I can do 🙌

[@ROBERTSOMA-pb3sp]

Wth kind of pants is that?

[@clydewmorgan]

why are they tucked into his socks?

[@pickleballplaybook]

They’re Selkirk! Here’s the link 👇 www.selkirk.com/products/maxima-meta-pants?variant=40324394418278&sca_ref=4516571.n0z0Xqk6sI

[@pickleballplaybook]

❤️

[@HeroPrinny]

I wish you showed more footage of you actually doing the serve instead of just talking about it. :(

[@pickleballplaybook]

:(

[@chadbauchman9700]

Why are you not demonstrating the actual hit? That part I don't understand?

[@pickleballplaybook]

I didn’t film myself hitting cause I forgot to haha. So I just used the prime example. The man himself!

[@robertsteinberger5667]

Why is there a hole in his racket?

[@pickleballplaybook]

Helps with swing speed because of Aero dynamics! Pretty cool

[@bobbywright6686]

Its a carrying handle when you get tired from all heavy playing

[@woodywoodpecker3643]

I must have watched that last serve of yours 45 times. So nasty. Like a topspin cut curve? Nasty AF. Who cares about the other guy, show us how to hit that!

[@pickleballplaybook]

Okay I’ll do a video on it!

[@redequal7457]

He does not push the butt cap of the handle towards his opponent as you state he does.

[@pickleballplaybook]

He actually does. This is called lag, and he does it very very quickly to snap through the ball 🙌

[@marianhilpert3570]

Why are your pants tucked into your socks?

[@pickleballplaybook]

So no water gets in 💦

[@reezySZN]

it’s a chocie

[@twibl]

For more power. Duhhh

[@benmusic6093]

He did until I watched the video

[@pickleballplaybook]

?

[@jaimephair8037]

Cool breakdown, but prove it. Let's see the speed of your normal serve, and then after you've applied these tips. In the name of science, let's see ten people and whether or how much it improves their serve speed

[@pickleballplaybook]

Would be cool to get a speed gun! I’m friends with majority of the pros so could probably make something like that happen at some point. All of them say James serves fastest, including Dekel (the previous fastest server)

[@jaimephair8037]

@@pickleballplaybook [in Jean-Luc Picard accent] make it so

[@Dudemansir521]

Looks like an illegal serve...? His hands are moving up as he releases the ball...

[@pickleballplaybook]

Yeah but not illegal enough to get called haha

[@mikegagliardi6258]

Tennis players do this all the time. Welcome, pickelballers, to how to hit a ball.

[@pickleballplaybook]

There are multiple different grips, backswings, and stances. This is definitely one way to hit a tennis ball! Glad you enjoyed the break down Mike.

[@paladin1726]

Are you this smug on tennis tutorial videos as well?

[@kathywolfe9020]

No he is hitting side ways. I thought legal had to have an arc? I hit hard to side ways . I hit under handed as the rules state.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Read the 2024 USAPA serve rules. You have to be hitting upwards at contact, that’s why his paddle dips and comes back up at contact 👍. Hope that helps

[@skhannasrad]

He never showed the serve himself...so much bs talking

[@pickleballplaybook]

I show it at the end of the video. Make sure to watch the entire thing 👍

[@billucf96]

Build your own courts. Stay off tennis courts.

[@pickleballplaybook]

We’re making tennis courts great again!

[@billucf96]

Tennis players can easily learn to dominate pickelball. The reverse will never be true. Just ask Jack Sock.

[@billucf96]

@@pickleballplaybookIt's the disrespectful attitude from pickleball players that make me dislike pickleball so much. You can set up portable pickleball nets on community basketball courts, put down tape, and play there.

[@josefbleaux6724]

Right! Now people are actually using tennis courts.

[@roosterqmoney]

Soooo you only play on courts you have built ? Are you a tennis court builder? Most tennis courts don't get used.

[@guitarkidd9840]

You're overcomplicating the analysis. Jimmy is tall, no need to bend his knees, which keeps his point of contact higher which is an advantage for taller player since you have to make contact below the waist. His rotation on the swing is just turning his hips to generate power which is 101 athletics and is applied to so many different sports: golf, baseball, tennis, football, etc... where his left foot lands is irrelevant.

[@pickleballplaybook]

Nice dude!