How to Serve in Pickleball: A Pocket Guide
Just like tennis, badminton, and all of the other comparable racket sports, pickleball has its own unique set of rules when it comes to serving.
They were a bit confusing to me at first to be honest, so I put together this quick guide going over the rules of pickleball serving to help the Paddleballers community better understand the topic. In it, we’ll go over 10 basic rules and wrap it up with some FAQs.
I tried to make this post as straightforward and to the point as possible, but if you still have questions, let me know in the comments. I’d be happy to help.
Let’s get to it.
Top 10 Pickleball Serving Rules
1. You only get one shot at a serve attempt. Practice your serves, and more importantly, serve with confidence.
2. You gotta serve with an underhand stroke in an upward arc motion - very important. Also, the ball must make contact with your paddle below the waist.
3. When serving, the highest point of the paddle head has to be below the wrist when it strikes the ball.
4. At least one foot has to stay on the ground, behind the baseline when serving. No jump serves!
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5. Don’t let either foot touch the baseline or any area in the court while serving. This will get you a service fault - no bueno.
6. As a server, you have the option to drop the ball onto the court and let it bounce before hitting it. While it can be dropped from any height, you can’t add any force to the drop.
7. You must serve behind the baseline, to the diagonally opposite side of the court, within the extension of the sidelines and centerline of the court.
8. You have to stay behind the baseline until after the third shot is hit; don’t enter the court straight after your serve.
9. A good strategy is to place the ball deep and to the center to keep the receiver as far away from the net as possible.
10. After serving, train yourself to immediately prepare to receive the service return. You’d be surprised at how fast some players can be.
FAQs
What happens if I serve the ball into the net?
If the serve hits the net and lands in the proper service court, it is a "let serve" and can be retaken without penalty. However, if the ball hits the net and lands outside of the service court, it is a fault and the server loses the point.
Can I step on the baseline while serving?
No, the server must keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck. If the server steps on or over the baseline before the ball is hit, it is a fault and the opponent wins the point.
What if I accidentally serve the ball out of bounds?
If the serve lands outside of the opponent's service court, it is a fault and the opponent wins the point. However, if the serve lands in the correct service court but goes out of bounds, it is considered "in" and play continues.
Can I fake a serve or distract my opponent?
No, any type of fake or deceptive motion during the serve is not allowed in pickleball. The server must make a continuous and fluid motion when serving the ball. Any attempt to distract the opponent can result in a fault or penalty.
And there’s your pocket guide to pickleball serving rules! Stay tuned for a more in-depth explanation of how to serve in pickleball, along with other pickleball guides, by subscribing to our newsletter below.
Thanks for stopping by! Until next time,
Glen
Paddleballers
VICE PRO™ 16mm
CARBON FIBER PADDLE
The Vice Pro™ Pickleball Paddle is the top choice for all skill levels, ranging from beginners to experts. Made from carbon fiber, this pickleball paddle provides premium performance and exceptional control.
