Pickleball Serving Rules-Are You Violating this ONE?

[@BetterPickleball]

To clarify sidelines and centerlines at 3:57 in the video. You can stand on the line but not outside the line. It's shown correctly but not the clearest explanation. Thanks for your understanding and helping me to be a better communicator.

[@sandychan480]

What about the paddle? Can the paddle extend past the centerline (from the left play pad to the right play pad) when the serving player serves standing really close to the centerline?

[@Jonq360]

Can you step into your serve?

[@BetterPickleball]

@@Jonq360 as long as your feet are behind the baseline at the point of contact.

[@Whallen9]

Thanks CJ for the clarification and demonstration! Very helpful!

[@BetterPickleball]

You bet!

[@patmcgoldrick7198]

If a serve hits the line but is on the outerside (near the opposite side ) is that serve good ?

[@BetterPickleball]

As long as it’s not the NVZ line yes it’s good

[@antonioholanda8953]

The Pickleball rules say that the server can´t be on or over the extension of the sideline or the center line, but my questions is if my arm can strike the ball crossing t he center line, as the rules don´t say anything about it.

[@BetterPickleball]

Yes your arm can extend.

[@globetrotter6219]

Can you do a Happy Gilmore type of serve ? ie: being in forward motion then striking the ball for your serve

[@BetterPickleball]

As long as when the paddle contacts the ball your feet are behind the baseline and inside an extensions of the sideline and centerline

[@davidricketts2223]

Please note that the "upward arc" volley serving rule has always specified at the point of contact the "arm" must have an upward arc, not the "paddle". At the point of contact the paddle can have any motion at all... up, down or sideways, so long as no part of the paddle is above the wrist joint and the point of contact is below the waist.

[@BetterPickleball]

Thanks David, good clarification.

[@trumpisastump9382]

As I understand, the three basic rules of the serving motion (Upward swing, below belly button, and head of the paddle below the wrist) do NOT apply to the drop serve.

[@BetterPickleball]

As long as the drop is legal anything goes

[@gchetta]

I always enjoy your videos, but this particular one is misleading. At the time of 4:51 in your video, you say and show that it is ok to have one foot touching the court surface (your right foot in this instance) as long as the other foot is not touching the court, which includes the baseline. However, that is not correct. Per Rule 4.A.3.: "At the time the ball is struck, the server’s feet may not touch the court...and at least one foot must be on the playing surface or ground behind the baseline." Therefore, it would be ok for your right foot to touch the court immediately after the ball is struck, but not at the moment the ball is struck. In other words, the foot can hover over the surface, but it cannot touch it until after the ball is struck.

[@BetterPickleball]

Hi Greg thanks for the comment. When I was editing I realized I didn’t communicate it clearly. That’s why I added the commentary on the screen so people would have additional clarification. Sometimes you think you said it correctly and then realize it wasn’t exact. The same could be said of my earlier comment on the sidelines. Stepping on the extension of sidelines isn’t a violation, the foot has to outside of the sideline. While I clearly show that it could be confusing with what I said.

[@Smokeybuhda]

I have a topic for you. As a 40’s former athlete and finding pickleball nearly 2 years ago. I warm up 30 minutes minimum Including stretching, before I play. I have seen 95% or more people 65+ get there walk on and start to play. Wonder why there are so many injuries?

[@BetterPickleball]

Glad you are taking time to warm up. We've got a few different videos on kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXS4ioGYmKuYY9k

[@tarekabdou2217]

When serving, the serve must be diagonal. Does this mean that contact with the ball cannot cross the center line? For example, if you’re right handed and serving from the left side; your feet must be to the left of the imaginary extended center line but can you make contact with the ball on the right side or should the contact happen on the side you’re serving from? I think it’s the latter otherwise it wouldn’t be a diagonal serve. I just haven’t seen any videos related to this - everyone talks about the position of the feet but not the position of the paddle/ball in reference to the center line or outside line for that matter. Thanks in advance!

[@BetterPickleball]

The reason that players only talk about the feet is that's the only rule. There is nothing that talks about the paddle and the ball in regards to any of the lines. Keep your feet behind the baseline and inside the center and side line at contact.

[@tarekabdou2217]

@@BetterPickleball OK thank you! It’s kind of weird because it goes against the definition of “diagonal” - the ball trajectory could actually be a straight shot as the paddle and ball are on the same side as the side you’re serving into. Oh well! Thanks again for your reply

[@roncav8]

Exactly, your momentum shouldn't carry you onto the court and vulnerable to a deep return and having to hit while backing. You need to stay behind the baseline until you determine the depth of the return - second bounce.

[@BetterPickleball]

That's a good practice to get into for sure!

[@mikeCavalle]

is a down spin serve possible in pickleball?

[@BetterPickleball]

I’m not sure I understand what you mean by a down serve? Do you mean overhead as in tennis?

[@mikeCavalle]

@@BetterPickleball sorry we are not connecting --- in table tennis there is no rule requiring the paddle to move upward during a serve. In table tennis the bat may move in a downward (and even horizontal) path during a serve. This serve places bottom english on the ball which will drive the ball down and hopefully into the net on return. www.experttabletennis.com/heavy-backspin-serve/ An upward serving motion places top English on the ball which will drive the ball up and hopefully past the base line of the table. www.wikihow.com/Serve-a-Ping-Pong-Ball-With-a-Topspin#:~:text=Topspin%20is%20produced%20by%20starting,a%20downwards%20and%20forwards%20motion.

[@BetterPickleball]

@@mikeCavalle sorry Mike this got stuck in the spam folder because of the links. According to the rule of pickleball the paddle must be moving in an upward motion so it wouldn't be a legal serve. Does that clear it up?

[@vegetablehead]

so i like to drop serve. can i be standing outside the imaginary sideline, then drop the ball (from the highest point above my head), then move inside the imaginary baseline and begin the motion of my serve? OR does the 'motion of my serve' begin with the act of dropping the ball? technically i have a second to move within the court of play after i drop the ball to start my swing.

[@BetterPickleball]

At the time the paddle contacts the ball your feet need to be inside the line. I always like to think of it this way what’s the advantage to doing it that way. Just because I can doesn’t mean I should

[@rosannaleman1314]

But the head of paddle rule applies only on contact ,I believe that's why it so hard to call.

[@BetterPickleball]

Rosanna, you're right and it is hard to call. Especially in rec play!

[@RoseMichels]

I'm really glad to have found this one, C J. As a beginner, I can't believe how much conflicting 'advice' people give me on this at my local Y. I see it violated ALL the time but hey, it's rec ball, and people seem to think there's lots of leeway. Anyway, when I serve (I'm right handed) my left foot always steps forward and often over the baseline, while my right foot is behind the baseline. Is that legal or illegal? Some tell me I'm fine and it doesn't matter if I step over the baseline on my serve. Can you tell me definitively? If it is illegal, would I simply need to stay further back when I serve?

[@BetterPickleball]

As long as your foot is not touching the court when you make contact it’s legal

[@shawn4357]

A guy from our wreck games says we only use the serving below navel rule. The other two rules we don't use because it's just for fun😮

[@BetterPickleball]

As long as all of you are happy with that and don't play with other groups have fun.

[@shawn4357]

why would you want to step in the court after your serve? The return is going to be at your feet and you won't be able to hit it.

[@BetterPickleball]

The reasons that some players step over the baseline is to get extra power on the serve. As long as you are aware of your positioning and step back behind the baseline or are comfortable hitting the ball while your weight is moving backward you'll be fine. Would I recommend it? Depends on the player.

[@rianweston-dodds6247]

Are you not allowed to be over the baseline when you make contact with the ball? Not just touching it, but over it

[@BetterPickleball]

Hey Rian You need to be behind the baseline when the paddle contacts the ball.

[@maryhurst4663]

When I teach a beginner class, I always make sure they understand these rules….and reinforce it if I see them moving over to those corners to serve. However, when I go out and play recreational games, I see these rules being violated by many. God help you if you quietly correct them or educate them about the rules.

[@BetterPickleball]

Excellent point Mary. That’s one of the reasons why we recommend not calling it during play. Plus most faults are really hard to see

[@maczohil9404]

I believe in the rules for 2022 they are not mentioning when the service motion begins any more. And there is no mention of both feet must be behind the baseline…actually only one… 4.A.4.a. At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline. Is that mean that line extension rules with start of the motion doesn’t apply any more?!

[@BetterPickleball]

Have you heard about the new rules for 2023? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHqWkomhfJp8aNk

[@mikeCavalle]

thanks -- now what about your partner's position during your serve?

[@BetterPickleball]

Hi Mike, there is a two bounce rule in pickleball. Meaning that after the serve (which is hit without a bounce) each side needs to let it bounce one time. When you’re serving your partner needs to stay back with you to allow the ball to bounce. Make sense?

[@chasejordanlive]

I have a silly question that no one has reviewed yet. At least no video that I can find. I am new and we are wondering what happens when I serve in single play, the serve is good but my opponent is unable to return due to missing the ball or smashes it into the net or other. Is this a point for me? Do I simply re-serve? The rule book does not cover this or am I incorrect? Thanks!!!

[@BetterPickleball]

Rule 4.f. Scoring is the same in singles as doubles. You can only score when you are the server.

[@larrysee7306]

If you havent got a clear answer yet: Yes, it's your point if receiver can not return into your court(lines are considered 'in')

[@igustingurahdeli7611]

If the serve volley touches the net it must be restarted

[@BetterPickleball]

You are correct, it's a let serve, with the exception of the pro division in PPA rtournaments.