The Pickleball Serve: Serving Rules of Pickleball

The Rules of the Pickleball Serve

One of the most challenging parts of pickleball is the serve. The serve is critical in the game, as it sets the tone for the rally and can be the key to winning a point.

According to the official rules, the serve must be made underhand and the ball must be struck below the waist. The server must hit the ball diagonally across the court and bounce within the kitchen before the receiver can hit it. If the ball hits the net on the serve, there is no point and no loss; the server will re-serve.

It’s important to remember that the serve must be made while standing behind the baseline and within the confines of the court. Failing to do so results in a fault, and the serve is lost.The backhand serve is less common but can be beneficial if the opponent is not expecting it. In this serve, the server stands on the centerline and hits the ball diagonally to the opponent’s court.

Serving Rules Summary

The server must stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally across the court to the opposite service area.
The serving player must keep both feet behind the baseline and not step on the court until the ball is hit.
The serve must be struck underhand and the paddle must contact the ball below the waist.
The server must hit the ball in such a way that it lands in the opponent’s service area and bounces before it is returned. It is important to note that only the serving team can score points and if the server misses the service area, hits the ball out of bounds or faults, the opponent gains the serve.
There is a “two-bounce rule” in pickleball which means that the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it. In addition on the first return, the serving team must let the ball bounce once.

Types of Pickleball Serves

A common challenge for new players is to master the correct technique for serving, as it’s important to get the ball over the net and in the service court.

Traditional Pickleball Serve

Here’s the step-by-step of serving:

Get in position. If this is the first serve of the round, the server will be on the right side behind the baseline.
Call out the score. Use the Me, You, Who sequence.
Take a deep breath and with the ball in your opposite had, reach out in front of you and drop the ball. Don’t throw the ball up.
As you drop the ball swing your paddle underhand and contact the ball in front of your body.
Follow through. Your swing should have a smooth relaxed follow through.
Stay in position and get ready for your opponent’s return. Since the ball must bounce on the first return, you will likely be the one to return the first hit back.

Drop Serve

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.

Backhand Serve

The backhand serve is less common but can be beneficial if the opponent is not expecting it. In this serve, the server stands on the centerline and hits the ball diagonally to the opponent’s court.