2025 Pickleball Serving Rule Changes: Serving in pickleball sets the stage for every point, making it one of the most important parts of the game. The 2025 rules focus on clear, fair play for everyone—from beginners to tournament pros. Whether using a drop or volley serve, players must follow key rules for legal serving.
Official Pickleball Serve Rules
In a volley serve, the ball is hit before bouncing. The paddle must move upward, contact must happen below the waist, and the paddle head must stay under the wrist. The server can toss the ball up, but must follow all these steps.
Players must have at least one foot behind the baseline when hitting the ball. That foot must stay on the ground and not cross the line. A foot touching the line or going past it causes a fault.
All serves must land diagonally in the opposite service box. If the ball lands outside that box or touches the non-volley zone line (the “kitchen”), it is a fault.
The drop serve is still allowed. Players may drop the ball and hit it after one bounce. The drop must be natural, with no added force. The three volley serve rules (upward motion, below waist, and paddle below wrist) do not apply to the drop serve.
One Chance Per Serve
Unlike tennis, pickleball allows only one serve per point. If a player commits a fault—like serving into the net or the wrong area—they lose the rally. No second serve is given.
Also, spinning the ball with the hand or paddle before the serve is illegal. Only a natural release is allowed. Players can use spin when they hit the ball, but not before.
Singles vs. Doubles Serving
In singles, the server switches sides after every point. They serve from the right when their score is even and from the left when it’s odd. Only the serving player can win points.
In doubles, both players on the serving team get turns. The game starts with only one player serving for the first team. After that, both players on a team will serve during their turn.
For example:
Team I: Player A and Player B
Team II: Player C and Player D
Player A starts serving. If Team I scores, they switch sides. Player A continues serving until they fault. Then Team II gets the serve. First, Player C serves, followed by Player D after a fault. From the second serve onward, both teammates get a chance until a side out.
Serving Faults to Avoid
To serve legally, players must not:
Hit the ball above the waist.
Serve into the kitchen or on its line.
Step on the baseline during the serve.
Miss the diagonal service box.
These mistakes can lead to a lost point, which is critical in a close match or tournament setting.
Why It Matters
Clear serving rules help keep matches fair. With millions of players now in tournaments, serving correctly is key. These 2025 rules help both new and experienced players know what’s expected. The focus on drop serves, foot placement, and no-spin rules makes it easier for players to succeed and avoid confusion.
By following these updated rules, players can improve their games, avoid faults, and better enjoy the sport.
News in Brief: 2025 Pickleball Serving Rule Changes
Pickleball’s 2025 serve rules stress fairness and clarity. Players must serve diagonally, below the waist, and stay behind the line. Drop serves remain legal, but only one serve is allowed per rally. With no second chances, learning these simple rules helps avoid faults and supports better gameplay.
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