SECTION 4 – THE SERVE, SERVICE SEQUENCE, AND SCORING RULES

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4.A.   The Serve.

4.A.1.   The entire score must be called before the ball is served.

4.A.2.  Placement. The server must serve to the correct service court (the court diagonally opposite the server). The serve may clear or touch the net and must clear the NVZ and the NVZ lines. The serve may land on any other service court line

4.A.3.  If the serve clears the net or hits the net and then touches the receiver or the receiver’s partner, it is a point for the serving team.

4.A.4.    The moment the ball is served: (See Fig 4-1 & 4-2)

Figure 4-1

4.A.4.a. At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline.
4.A.4.b. Neither of the server’s feet may touch the court on or inside the baseline.
4.A.4.c. Neither of the server’s feet may touch outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.
4.A.4.d. (Wheelchair) Both rear wheels must be on the playing surface behind the baseline and may not touch the court on or inside the baseline or outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.

4.A.5. New Rule: The Volley Serve. The server shall use only one hand to release the ball to
perform the serve. If the ball is visibly spun by the server during the release, the part(s)
of the hand contacting the ball must be bare. The server’s release of the ball must be
visible to the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s
release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before the
return of serve if the release of the ball is not visible or if the referee (or receiver in nonofficiated matches) cannot discern whether an item on the hand contacted a visibly
spun ball. Exception: A player who has the use of only one hand may use their hand or
paddle to release the ball to perform the serve.

Reason and Intent: The year 2021 witnessed the introduction of new types of serves
due to an unintended loophole in the illegal carry rule. This new rule brings us back to
pre-2021 serving guidelines. Several will wonder why all pre-serve spin hasn’t been outlawed. In other words, if the ‘Chain-saw serve’ was eliminated for 2022, why not also eliminate the one-handed spin prior to the serve? What follows are the primary reasons for the current approach taken by the Rules Committee and Board of Directors:

1. Unlike the ‘Chainsaw’ serve, which came about quite by accident, the onehanded spin serve has been available to every player since 1965. There has
never been any restriction on pre-serve spin in the sport. That fact had
significant bearing on this rule.
2. We quickly realized we can’t write a rule that says, “No added spin can be
provided to the ball before the serve.” That is difficult to enforce because every
transfer of the ball from one hand to the paddle will cause some rotational
velocity of the ball. To eliminate the one-handed spin-serve, we would have to
adopt something similar to the open palm presentation used in table tennis, if
we wanted to remove as much referee judgment as possible. Students of rules
will realize several referee judgment-related rules have been removed from the
Rulebook over the past two years. Adding words such as ‘no manipulation’ or
‘no rotation of the ball’ pre-serve are largely unenforceable with any degree of
consistency among players or referees. Eventually, putting a table-tennis type
pre-serve requirement in place was judged as a bridge too far at this stage,
given number 1 above, and the fact that if we adopted it, almost every player in
the world would have to modify their serve routine. There is a reluctance to do
that, which, by the way, is the reason the drop serve isn’t the only serve
allowed in the sport. That, too, would be a transformational change in play.
3. The one-handed spin-serve is considered a little more difficult to adopt and
perfect so while many speculate on this, we just don’t know at this point how
deep the serve will penetrate the sport, how quickly, or how effective it will be
across the player spectrum.
4. It’s important to allow for some degree of innovation in the sport, but at the
same time make sure one type of shot or style of play doesn’t dominate the
sport, especially for the social and recreational player.
5. Accordingly, we are adopting a wait and see approach.

This rule provides:
A. A distinct name (volley serve) to differentiate it from the drop serve of Rule
4.A.6.
B. The opportunity for servers to impart additional spin on the ball as part of the
release as long as the spin is created by only the hand releasing the ball. That
means nothing can be used on or in addition to the single hand releasing the ball
to perform the serve. For clarity, that means no additional body parts can be
used, no substances, apparatus’, or foreign material can be added to the part(s)
of the hand that is used to impart additional spin on the ball. This leaves open
the question of sunscreen, hand lotions, hand sanitizer and similar items. Those
are all acceptable as long as their application is what is considered normal and
customary. With respect to band aids and gloves on the release hand, as long
as the glove or band aid are not on the part of the hand that would be used to
impart spin on the ball, there are no restrictions for band aids and gloves. If,
however, a player chooses to wear or requires the use of a band aid or glove on
the part of the hand that is used to impart additional spin on the ball, the player
may not add spin to the ball. In other words, it is recognized that some normal
rotational velocity is imparted during any release of the ball. The normal
rotational velocity of a ball during release is not what this rule is trying to restrict.
C. A requirement that the release of the ball must be visible to the receiver and
referee, if there is one. This aspect of the rule makes it consistent with the
visibility requirements of the drop in the Drop Serve Rule of 4.A.6

Scenario A: The server is wearing a glove on the hand that releases the ball but has
removed the glove material allowing the thumb and first two fingers (that touch the ball) to be exposed and add spin to the ball. The referee allows this glove to be used.
Scenario B: The server is wearing a band-aid on their 4th (pinky) finger. The server
performs the release of the ball without the band-aid contacting the ball. The referee
allows the serve as normal.
Scenario C: The server is wearing a glove on the hand that releases the ball but has
removed the glove material allowing the thumb and first two fingers to be exposed.
During the release of the ball, the referee sees that the last two fingers of the glove are in contact with the ball during the release, but no additional spin was added to the release of the ball. This is allowed and the referee lets the rally continue normally.
Scenario D: The server turns their back to the referee (or receiver) just as the ball is
being released on the serve making it impossible for the release to be seen by the
referee (or receiver). The referee calls for a re-serve and informs the server to ensure
that the release is visible to both the referee and receiver. If this becomes a continuing issue in the match, the referee may, but is not required to, issue a verbal warning or technical warning for delay of game.
Scenario E: The server spins and releases the ball to perform the serve. The server
doesn’t like the spin and lets the ball bounce, then picks up the ball and spin/releases
the ball again to perform the serve. The referee allows the serve to occur because the
10-second count had not expired. The server may release the ball as many times as
they like as long as they serve within the 10-second count.
Note: Players are expected to understand the intent of this rule. To that end, we do not expect tournament players to be ‘inspected’ by the referee to verify player’s hands are bare.

4.A.6. The Drop Serve.

4.A.6.a. New: Servers must release the ball from one of the server’s hands or dropped off the server’s paddle face from any natural (un-aided) height and hit the ball after the ball
bounces. There is no restriction how many times the ball can bounce nor where the ball
can bounce on the playing surface. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to
the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s release of the
ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before the return of serve if
the release of the ball is not visible. The rules for feet placement (4.A.4) still apply.

Reason and Intent: This rule was changed for clarity on how many times the server
may let the ball bounce before performing the serve. The intent of this rule is to allow
the ball to bounce as many times as the server chooses before they strike the ball to
perform the serve as long as the serve is made within 10 seconds after the score is
called. The rule also clarifies that the ball may bounce anywhere on the playing surface
before it is struck to perform the serve.

Old: Servers must release the ball from one of the server’s hands or dropped off the server’s paddle face from any natural (un-aided) height and hit the ball after the ball bounces. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before the return of serve if the release of the ball is not visible. The rules for feet placement (4.A.2) still apply.

4.A.6.b. The ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle.

4.A.6.c. If the drop serve is used, the ball may be struck with either a forehand or backhand motion without any other restriction i.e., the location restrictions of the ball and paddle in Rules 4.A.5.a, 4.A.5.b and 4.A.5.c do not apply.

4.B. Player Positions.

4.B.1. Server and Receiver. The correct server and receiver and their positions are determined
by the score and the players’ starting positions in the game.

4.B.2. At the start of each game, the starting server begins the serve from the side of the
court dictated by the score.

4.B.3. Each player will serve until a rally is lost or a fault is declared against the player or
team.

4.B.4. As long as the server holds serve, after each point the server will alternate serving
from the right/even
and left/odd sides of the court.

4.B.5. Singles.

4.B.5.a. If the player’s score is even (0, 2, 4 …), the serve must be made from the right/even
serving area and be received in the right/even service court by the opponent.

4.B.5.b. If the player’s score is odd (1, 3, 5 …), the serve must be made from the left/odd serving area and be received in the left/odd service court by the opponent.

4.B.5.c. After the server loses the rally or faults, a side out will occur and service is awarded
to the opponent.

4.B.6.     Doubles. Both players on a team will serve before a side out is declared, except at the start of each game, when only the starting server will serve. The starting server of each game is therefore designated as “Server 2” for scoring purposes, since a side out will occur once a rally is lost or a fault is committed by the serving team and service is awarded to the opposing team.

4.B.6.a.  At the start of each side out, service begins in the right/even serving area.

4.B.6.b. When the team’s score is even (0, 2, 4 …), the team’s starting server’s correct position is at the right/even serving area. When the team’s score is odd (1, 3, 5…), the starting server’s correct position is at the left/odd court.

4.B.6.c.  After each side out, service begins with the player correctly positioned on the right/even side of the court according to the team’s score. This player is referred to as “Server 1” and the partner is “Server 2.”

4.B.6.d. Server 1 will serve, alternating service sides after each point is won, until a rally is lost or the server’s team commits a fault.

4.B.6.e.  After Server 1’s team loses a rally or faults, Server 2 will serve from the correct position and will alternate serving positions as long as the serving team continues to win points.

4.B.7.  Partner Positions. In doubles, with the exception of the server (see 4.A.4) there is no restriction on the position of any player, as long as all players are on their respective team’s side of the net. They can be positioned on or off the court. The correct server must serve from the correct service court, and the correct receiver must receive the serve.

4.B.8.  New: Before the serve occurs, any player may ask the referee for the score, correct
server or receiver, correct player position, and may challenge/confirm the called score.
Any player may ask any one or more of these questions.

Reason: This change simply allows for one team to ask if the opposing team is in the
correct position and/or using the correct player. Although it is rare that a team will ask if
the opponent is “correct”, previously this was not allowed per the rules. This change will
put in writing that any player may ask any question.

Scenario: The incorrect server is ready to serve. The referee calls the score. Before
the incorrect server serves, the receiver’s partner says, “Hey is that the correct server?”
The referee stops play, informs everyone that it is, in fact, the incorrect server. The
serving team changes servers and the referee recalls the score.

Old: (Rules 4.B.8 and 4.B.9. Summary) Any player may ask any
player/position/score questions pertaining to their own team.

4.B.9. When an incorrect player serves or receives, or a player serves from an incorrect position, the referee will immediately stop play and identify the fault(s).

4.B.10. Incorrect Player or Position. When an incorrect server or player position is discovered after a rally, game, or match has ended, the offending team can be faulted until the next serve occurs or prior to the scoresheet being returned to the tournament operation’s desk. A point scored during the rally by the offending team
will not count. Any previous points scored by the incorrect server or with players in the incorrect positions will stand. After a match is completed, an incorrect player or position error may not be corrected after the scoresheet has been returned to tournament operations personnel.

4.C.        Readiness. Any player may indicate “not ready” prior to the start of the score being called.

4.C.1.     One of the following signals must be used to indicate “not ready”: 1) raising the paddle above the head, 2) raising the non-paddle hand above the head, 3) completely turning their back to the net.

4.C.2.     After the start of the score being called, “not ready” signals will be ignored, unless there is a hinder. A player or team out of position is not considered a hinder.

4.D.        Calling the Score. The score shall be called after the server and receiver are (or should be) in position and all players are (or should be) ready to play.

4.D.1. In non-officiated play, the server normally calls the score, but the server’s partner may call the score if the server is unable to call the score. The person calling the score shall not change during the game unless there is a voice impairment.

4.E.         The 10-Second Rule. Once the score has been called, the server is allowed 10 seconds to serve the ball.

4.E.1.      If the server exceeds 10 seconds to serve, a fault will be declared.

4.E.2.      After the score has been called, if the serving team changes serving courts, the referee shall call “Time”, allow all players to reposition, and then recall the score to re-start the 10-second count. In a non- officiated match, the server will allow for the same repositioning and will recall the score to re-start the 10 second count.

Reason: This change is part of the goal to reduce player and referee conflicts that
happen before the ball is served. It removes the confusion and debate that was caused concerning the receiving team needing time to reposition verses the serving team running out of the 10-second count because they could not decipher their correct service court. It also works in conjunction with players being allowed to ask score, correct player and position questions and thereby reducing the frequency that the serving court changes will occur. The instruction for the referee to call “Time” was added to ensure that if by chance the server does happen to serve the ball, no fault will be applied because the ball was immediately dead when the referee called “Time” and is not live/in-play again until the restart of the score call. (Rule 8.E)

Scenario: The server is positioned in the incorrect service court and the receiving team is aligned accordingly. The referee calls the score and starts the 10-second count. The server starts the service motion and then stops and asks if she is in the correct position. The referee should call “Time” and reply that she is NOT in the correct position. The server switches service courts. The referee instructs that he will allow time for the receiving team to reposition and then recall the score. The serving team quickly repositions. While the receiving team is getting into the proper position, the server serves the ball to the receiving team’s side. (Note. This is not an actual serve. A serve can only happen when the ball is live.) The referee instructs the receiving team to return the ball and reminds the server that he (the referee) will recall the score to restart the rally. No fault was committed in this entire scenario. The server did not run out of the 10-seconds because play was halted when the correct position question was asked (causing the referee to call “time”). The server also did not commit a fault by hitting/serving the ball before the referee had recalled the score: When the referee called “Time”, the ball was dead and per Rule 8.E. No faults (except NVZ violations) can be committed during a dead ball.

4.F.         Scoring. A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. Points may also be scored when technical fouls are called against the opposing side and their score is 0.

4.G.        Points. A point is scored by serving the ball and winning the rally.

4 H.        Winning the Game. The first side scoring the winning point wins.

4.I.          Calling the Score in Singles Matches. The proper sequence for calling the score is server score then receiver score as two numbers. (e.g., “one – zero.”)

4.J.         Calling the Score in Doubles Matches. The score is called as three numbers in doubles matches. The proper sequence for calling the score is: serving team’s score – receiving team’s score – the server number (one or two), (e.g., “zero – one – one”). To start each game, the score will be called as “zero – zero – two.”

4.K.      Wrong Score Called.  New: Wrong Score Called. If the server or referee calls the wrong score, once the serve is made, play shall continue to the end of the rally and the correction made before
the next serve. After the serve is made, a player who stops play based solely on an incorrect score call, will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally.

Reason and Intent: The intent of this rule is that no player should stop play after the
serve occurs based on the sole claim of an incorrect score call. The new rule states that
any correction for an error in the calling of the score must be made either before the
serve occurs, or after the rally is completed. Stopping play after the serve based solely
on an incorrect score call is a fault. Based on an incorrect score call, if a player believes
an incorrect player/position fault has occurred, a referee correction will be applied up
until the next serve occurs.

Scenario A: The referee calls the incorrect score. The server serves and the receiver
catches the ball and claims that the referee has called an incorrect score. The referee
calls a fault on the receiver for stopping play based solely on an incorrect score call.

Scenario B: All players are lined up correctly. The referee calls an incorrect serving
team score. The receiver catches the ball after the serve and claims that the serving
team was out of position based on the score that was called. The referee says,
“Referee correction” and calls for a replay. (Same result for opposite application)

Scenario C: The referee calls an incorrect score. The server serves and the receiver
catches the ball and claims both an incorrect score call and an incorrect server (based
on the incorrect score call) The referee says, ‘Referee correction” and replays the rally.

Scenario D: Match point. The referee calls an incorrect score. Serving team wins the
rally and the match. Receiving team claims an incorrect server based on the incorrect
score call. The referee says, “Referee correction” and calls for a replay of match point.

Note: The reason for the replay is that the entire rally was based on a referee error;
which could have impacted the concentration of one or both teams.

Old: Wrong Score Called. If the server or referee calls the wrong score, any
player may stop play before the “third shot” occurs to ask for a correction.

4.L.         Service Foot Faults. During the serve, when the ball is struck, the server’s feet shall:

4.L.1.     Not touch the area outside the imaginary extension of the sideline.

4.L.2.     Not touch the area on the wrong side of the imaginary extension of the centerline.

4.L.3.     Not touch the court, including the baseline.

4.M.     Service Faults. During the service, it is a fault against the server resulting in loss of serve if:

4.M.1. The server serves from the incorrect serving area.

4.M.2. In doubles, the incorrect player serves the ball.

4.M.3. The served ball touches any permanent object before it hits the ground.

4.M.4. The served ball touches the server or their partner, or anything the server or their partner is wearing or holding.

4.M.5. The served ball lands in the non-volley zone which includes the NVZ lines.

4.M.6.  The served ball lands outside the service court.

4.M.7.  The served ball hits the net and lands inside the non-volley zone.

4.M.8.  The served ball hits the net and lands outside the service court.

4.M.9.    The server uses an illegal serve (Rules 4.A.5.a, 4.A.5.b, 4.A.5.c) when performing the Volley Serve. (Rules 4.A – 4.A.5.d)

4.M.10. The server or their partner calls a time-out after the serve has occurred.

4.M.11.  A fault occurs when the server hits the ball to make the serve while the score is being called.

Reason: This new rule complements and assigns a fault penalty if rule 4.A.1 has been violated (serving before the entire score is called) The rule has a definite start point and end point on when a fault can be called for serving too early. After a rally has ended, the ball is dead until the score starts to be called. Per rule 8.E, when the ball is dead, no faults can be called; therefore, if a server serves before the start of the score call, there is no penalty.

Scenario A: The referee starts to call the score and the server serves the ball before the referee has finished calling the score. The referee should immediately call a fault.

Scenario B: After a rally has ended, but before the referee starts to call the score, the server serves the ball. The referee should not call a fault since the ball is “dead”. The referee should remind the server to wait until the entire score has been called before serving the ball. This scenario is in accordance with new rule 8.E. which details that when we are in a dead ball situation, faults cannot be committed specifically because we are in a dead ball state of play.

4.N.     Receiver Faults. It is a fault against the receiving team resulting in a point for the server if:

4.N.1.    The incorrect player returns the serve.

4.N.2.    The receiver or the receiver’s partner is touched by or interferes with the flight of the ball before it bounces.

4.N.3. The receiver or their partner calls a time-out after the serve has occurred.

Reason: This change is part of the goal to move all timing faults to a consistent point-in-time which is the serve of the ball.

The Rules Committee Considerations

The Rules Committee is committed to the following priorities when they approve rules:

  1. The first priority is preserving the integrity of the game. Nothing is more important to the committee than that.
  2. Second priority is what is best for the players; are there rule changes the committee can make to improve their experience, make it easier for players to learn, to play, etc.
  3. Third priority is what’s best for officiating; what can the committee do in rules space to make it less likely that players will argue with or get into conflicts with referees.

Those are the priorities applied to rule making – in that exact order. Now, let’s examine this rule change under the microscope of those three priorities.

First Priority? Preserve the integrity of the game.

If there is a rule in the game that can invite active or passive cheating at worst or prevent inaccurate calls at best, shouldn’t every player expect the Rules Committee to address it – for the good of the game? Can you think of anything that would damage the integrity of the game more than active or passive cheating? The Rules Committee cannot and will not let the game everyone enjoys be damaged by even a very small number of players who might usurp a rule to their advantage now or in the future. The future is, admittedly, more important in this change than the present case. That is perhaps why many may have a hard time initially understanding why this change has been enacted. The ‘let’ serve rule opens up a loophole for inaccurate, (intentional or otherwise) calls. The Rules Committee is closing it.

Consider this scenario: You are in the winner’s bracket, three wins away from the MXD gold medal match where a Golden Ticket to Nationals awaits the winning team. This match does not yet qualify for a referee. This is an MMP National Qualifier event at the 3.5 level. You are serving for match point, up 10-9 in game three. You serve wide and catch the receiver leaning the wrong way. He hits his return of your serve wide and erroneously and immediately yells, “Let!”. You know there was no ‘let’ serve but there’s nothing you can do about it. In the 2020 Rulebook, you MUST play a replay. It does no good to appeal to the Head Referee or Tournament Director because it’s a judgment call. You have just lost your match-point serve to someone who has made a horrible call and you know it. Is there any doubt where your mind will be at that instant and how long it will take you to reset after that obvious, blatant call? As the stakes get higher and higher for pros and amateur players who play in qualifying tournaments, whether for money or Golden Tickets, this loophole is a potential threat to the game. Pickleball Hall of Fame member Steve Paranto perhaps said it best, “This type of call on ‘let’ serves has already happened. This rule change eliminates any chance of inaccurate calls entirely.” The Rules committee is getting out in front of this potential before it becomes a bigger issue. Money in the pro and senior pro level and higher stakes for amateur players will change our game in ways most haven’t even thought about. But, the Rules Committee has. One can argue the extent to which this exists in our sport today, but no one can deny that money and high stakes can change player behavior, intentionally or not. That is a key point in this discussion; how behavior can change when the stakes of a game increase. So, we can argue whether this is an overreaction for what exists now, but that’s not the full picture. The higher the stakes, the more inaccurate are player judgment calls. It’s an aspect of human behavior that is difficult to refute.

Note: for those who think the bigger threat here are line calls, the Rules Committee also made a subtle and small, but important, wording change in the line call rules as well, for much the same reason.

Second Priority? What is best for the players

If there is a rule that can eliminate conflict between or among players in a match, shouldn’t the Rules Committee consider it? Conflict on the court does NOT enhance the player experience. This rule completely eliminates player conflict over whether or not a served ball hits the net. Completely. No more arguments, no more conflict. In recreational play, this rarely results in conflict because most just accept the replay. Not an issue. But in tournament play? Yes, it has caused conflict because one team calls a ‘let’ the other team doesn’t agree with. A lot? No, but as said above, this change is to get out in front of a stronger potential in the future. Next up? Referees.

Third Priority? What’s best for officiating.

If there is a rule that will eliminate conflicts between players and referees, shouldn’t the Rules Committee consider it? Service ‘lets’ have caused several player and referee conflicts. In matches with a referee, players have called service ‘lets’ that have not been confirmed by the referee. By rule, those are faults on the player for calling a ‘let’ that the referee did not also detect. Furthermore, many referees had adopted a practice of touching the net during the serve to ‘detect’ service ‘lets’ and then moving back into their normal position. Because not all referees use it, that practice introduced an undesired inconsistency among referees. Additionally, some players complained because the movement of the referee back into position, however slight, can be distracting, which is itself another potential source of referee/player conflict. Players have written complaints to USA Pickleball asking that the practice be stopped. This rule change completely eliminates that type of conflict as well. A final note about the referee aspect of this. Notice where it falls on the priority list. Last. Just where it belongs. So, it would be incorrect to place more importance on this reason for the change than it deserves.

Scenario A: The referee calls the correct score and the server serves. The served ball hits the net and lands in the proper receiving court. The referee immediately yells “Let”. The referee after realizing her mistake, says “Referee error” and calls for a replay. She then reminds everyone that “service lets” do not exist.

Scenario B: The referee calls the correct score and the server serves. The served ball hits the net and lands in the proper receiving court. The receiver yells “Let” and catches the ball. The referee shall call a fault on the receiver per rule 7.I. (stopping a live ball before it becomes dead) and remind all players that “service lets” do not exist.

Scenario C: The referee calls the correct score and the server serves. The served ball hits the net and lands in the proper receiving court. The receiver yells “Let” but also happens to return the ball to the serving team. A serving team player catches the ball because they heard the word “let” and thought a replay would occur. The referee shall call a fault on the serving team per rule 7.I. (stopping a live ball before it becomes dead) and remind all players that “service lets” do not exist. This is NOT a case for a distraction fault on the receiving team because the receiving team yelled “let” well before the ball had crossed back to the serving team’s side, and, well before the serving team was about to play the ball.

Scenario D: The referee calls the correct score and the server serves. The served ball hits the net and lands in the proper receiving court. The receiver returns the ball. After the ball has crossed back to the serving team’s court and just as the server is about to make a play on the ball, the receiver’s partner loudly yells “Let” just as the original server was about to hit the ball. Upon hearing the opponent yell “Let”, the referee calls a distraction fault because the receiver’s partner committed a distraction fault as the server was about to play the ball.

4 thoughts on “SECTION 4 – THE SERVE, SERVICE SEQUENCE, AND SCORING RULES”

  • 4.A.4.c. Neither of the server’s feet may touch outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.
    WHEN?
    Is it at the moment server strikes the ball or when service motion starts? (like in tennis)
    Sometime server start the service motion with one foot crossing side or center line, but at the time of striking the ball both feet get within the lines. In tennis if one foot crosses the line during the motion of the serve and then that same foot is brought in the legal position during the strike of the ball it is still called foot fault.
    Also if the serving motion is in question then even baseline should be included in the definition. (sideline, centerline and baseline) If rule is talking about moment of striking the ball then server can step inside the court (straddle the line), toss the ball up, lift the front foot up at the moment of striking the ball and keep playing…
    Current rule: 4.A.4.a At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline.

    Reply

  • when using a drop serve in pickleball can you hit the ball above the waist horizontally or does it still have to be an upward swing below the waist.
    I see different answers.

    Reply

  • Upon serving, is it ok for momentum to carry the server’s foot past the baseline AFTER the ball has been struck?

    Reply

  • PICKLEBALL DROP SERVE RULES FOR 2023

    According to Pickleball Official Rule Book, the pickleball drop serve rules are defined under section 4.A.8. According to the rule book, there are 3 different pickleball drop serve rules. Know the details

    Point 4.A.8.a.

    Section 4.A.8.a defined the first pickleball drop serve rule as, when executing a pickleball serve, the server must release the ball from only one hand or drop it from the paddle face at a natural height without any assistance.
    This means that the server cannot hold the ball in both hands or use any other object to help release or toss the ball during the serve.

    The ball must be released or dropped from a natural height. Means that server is not allowed to lift the ball too high above their head or drop it too close to the ground.

    Point 4.A.8.b.

    In point 4.A.8.a guideline narrates the 2nd important pickleball drop serve rule. This rule has three important points, as follows.

    When executing a drop serve, it’s crucial for the server to avoid throwing or propelling the ball downward. This is because such action would not result in a proper serve.
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