The serve starts every rally in pickleball, so it is important to know the basics. The good news is that the serving rules are simple once you break them down.
Where do you serve from?
You serve from behind the baseline and hit crosscourt into the opposite service box.
Where must the serve land?
The serve must land in the correct diagonal service box and clear the kitchen. If it touches the kitchen line, the serve is out.
How do you hit the serve?
In a traditional serve, the ball must be struck with an upward motion, contact must be below your waist, and the paddle head must be below your wrist at contact.
Can you drop-serve?
Yes. In a drop serve, you may drop the ball and hit it after it bounces. This is a popular option for newer players because it can feel more controlled.
Common serving mistakes
- Stepping on or over the baseline before contact
- Serving into the wrong service box
- Hitting the kitchen line on the serve
- Contacting the ball too high on a standard serve
Final tip
Focus on consistency before power. A reliable serve that lands deep is much more valuable than a hard serve that misses often.