Pickleball Serve Rules: Volley, Drop Serve and Faults

Pickleball serve rules? Serve from behind the baseline, between the center line and sideline, and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service court beyond the kitchen. Every serve is underhand: a volley serve must be hit below the waist with an upward arc, or you can use a drop serve and let the ball bounce first. The receiver must let the serve bounce, and the score is called before each serve.

Below we break down the volley and drop serve, where to stand, the faults that lose the serve, and how serving rotates in doubles. Getting ready for league night? See our pickleball shirts and gifts for women.

Pickleball serve rules: the basics

Wikipedia's pickleball article puts the core rule this way: "When serving, the server must be behind the baseline on one side of the center line and serve the ball to the opponent's diagonally opposite service court. Two types of serves are permitted, a volley serve or a drop serve" (Wikipedia, Pickleball). For the full official wording, check the current USA Pickleball rulebook, because rules are updated over time.

• Stand behind the baseline, between the imaginary extensions of the center line and sideline.
• Call the score before you serve.
• Serve crosscourt into the diagonal service court.
• The serve must clear the kitchen (non-volley zone) and its line.
• The receiver lets the serve bounce, then the serving side lets the return bounce: the two-bounce rule.

The volley serve: underhand, below the waist

A volley serve is hit out of the air. Per Wikipedia, "it must be served with an underarm stroke so that contact with the ball is made below the waist in an upward arc, and the highest point on the paddle head must be below the wrist." Wikipedia also notes that a 2023 rule change banned the "spin serve", where the server spins the ball with the hand as it is released.

1. Hold the ball in front of you at about waist height or lower.
2. Swing the paddle low to high, like a pendulum.
3. Make contact below your waist with the paddle head below your wrist.
4. Follow through toward your target.

The drop serve: let it bounce first

The drop serve is easier for many beginners. Wikipedia explains that the ball is "dropped to the ground and allowed to bounce before the server's paddle strikes it, the ball cannot be tossed or impelled by the server in any way." There is no limit on how many times it can bounce before you hit it, and unlike the volley serve there are no restrictions on how you swing.

Where do you serve from in pickleball?

In doubles, the first serve after a side out always starts from the right (even) court. In singles, you serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it is odd. In doubles, the server keeps switching sides after each point the serving team wins. The receiver's position is not fixed, but most receivers stand near the baseline so they can let the ball bounce. For scoring calls like "zero zero two", see our guide on how to keep score in pickleball.

Serve faults: what's an illegal serve in pickleball?

Wikipedia lists common service faults, including when "either of the server's feet touches the baseline, the court, or the area outside the imaginary extensions of the centerline or sideline prior to striking the ball", "not hitting the serve into the opponent's diagonally opposite service court" and "volleying the ball when returning a serve". In everyday play, the usual faults are:

• Stepping on or over the baseline before contact.
• Hitting the ball above the waist on a volley serve.
• Landing the serve in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
• Serving to the wrong (non-diagonal) court or out of bounds.
• Tossing or throwing the ball down on a drop serve.

Not sure where the kitchen starts? Read our pickleball kitchen rules guide.

Does a let serve count in pickleball?

Under USA Pickleball rules, a serve that clips the net and still lands in the correct service court is in play, as Wikipedia notes: "Let serves that hit the net but land in the correct service area are considered valid serves by USAP rules." Some pro events use their own rules, so check with your league or tournament director.

How serving works in doubles

Doubles uses a first server and a second server. According to Wikipedia, at the start of a game "the side serving first is allowed only one fault before their side is 'out'", which is why the opening score is called "zero zero two". After that, each team gets two faults, one per partner, before a side out passes the serve. Only the serving side can score a point under traditional side-out scoring.

Serve tips for beginners

• Aim deep. A deep serve keeps the receiver back and gives you time.
• Consistency first. A missed serve gives away your turn; get it in before adding pace.
• Pick one serve. Learn the drop serve or the volley serve well before mixing them.
• Stay back. After you serve, stay near the baseline to let the return bounce.

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FAQ

What are the 5 rules of serving in pickleball?

Serve underhand (or use a drop serve), stay behind the baseline, call the score, serve diagonally into the opposite service court, and clear the kitchen and its line.

What's an illegal serve in pickleball?

A serve is a fault if your feet touch the baseline or court before contact, a volley serve is hit above the waist, the ball lands in the kitchen or the wrong court, or a drop serve is tossed down instead of dropped.

Can you bounce the ball before serving in pickleball?

Yes. The drop serve lets the ball bounce before you hit it, as long as you simply drop it and do not toss or throw it down.

Do you get a second serve in pickleball?

No. There is no second try like in tennis. A fault ends that server's turn; in doubles, the partner then serves, except during the opening service turn of the game, when one fault passes the serve.