Pickleball Rules: What You Probably Didn't Know About Serving
73At AllAboutPickleball.com we get plenty of questions, but lately, one keeps coming up over and over again. This is one the most frequently asked questions I get and I’m betting that 90% of our readers don’t know the correct answer.
So lets get it cleared up for everyone.
THE QUESTION? Do I have to keep both feet behind the baseline when I serve?
Most player’s interpretation of the rule is that you can step into the court during the serve as long as you keep one foot on the ground and behind the baseline and your front foot does not contact the ground before striking the ball.
Sorry, that would be a wrong interpretation. No pickles for you today!
THE CORRECT ANSWER: While it is true that you do only have to have one foot one the ground, both feet must still be completely behind the baseline when contact is made with the ball.
Below is the exact wording from the USAPA Official Tournament Rulebook, Revised May, 1, 2008:
Section 4B: Server Position. The server must keep both feet behind the baseline during the serve with at least one foot on the court surface or ground at the time the ball is struck. The serve must be made while the server’s feet are within the confines of the serving area. These confines lie behind the serving court baseline and on or between the imaginary lines extended from the court centerline and each sideline.
Phew, I’m glad we got that cleared.
Keep the questions coming. We enjoy them all.
All the best,
Rocket
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Comments
Hey Larry, The second key to the serve is the paddle head must be below the wrist on contact. Here is the actual current USAPA rules on the service motion. If you want to download a complete copy of the rules, get 'em at www.allaboutpickleball.com All the best, Rocket
4.A. Serve Motion. The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist level.
4.A.1. Underhand Defined. The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the wrist when it strikes the ball.
4.B. Server Position. The server must keep both feet behind the baseline during the serve with at least one foot on the court surface or ground at the time the ball is struck. The serve must be made while the server’s feet are within the confines of the serving area. These confines lie behind the serving court baseline and on or between the imaginary lines extended from the court centerline and each sideline.
larry bennett says:
2 months ago
Can you give me all the specifics on the proper serve. All I have read is an underhand motion served below the waistline. I have been called for an illegal serve regarding not keeping my wrist straight..........saing that though it is served from below the waist my racket angle was not proper.............HELP its driving me nuts
Thank you, Larry B