MLP Serving Rule Controversy: A serving dispute has ignited controversy in Major League Pickleball (MLP) following a match between the Texas Ranchers and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team on April 24. The latest MLP rulebook prohibits the drop serve, but the new rule has confused players, particularly regarding the height of the ball toss and the required paddle swing during serves.
MLP’s New Serving Rules
The MLP rulebook, which recently underwent updates, outlines specific regulations for serving. It states that the drop serve, previously allowed in some competitions, is no longer permitted. Instead, the rulebook now allows a ball toss for serving, but with the limitation that the toss cannot rise higher than the length of the ball itself.
“Players will be allowed to use the Volley serve at events. The Drop Serve is currently not permitted. Any serve that touches the net and lands in the appropriate service area will be considered a Let and re-served.” –
(rulebook)
Additionally, the paddle head must stay below the level of the wrist during the upward motion of the serve. This ensures that players serve with a controlled, upward swing.
The rulebook emphasizes that the ball release should be visible to the referee, and if it is not, it will result in a re-serve. Importantly, the release should not exceed the top of the shoulder, with the ball allowed to travel only upward, no higher than the ball’s length.
“the ball release must be visible to the referee and will be re-served if not visible. The release of the ball must be no higher than the top of the shoulder. The ball can travel upward after the release, but only equal to one height of the ball itself. Until the ball is struck, the swing of the paddle to serve the ball must be travelling in an upward motion.” – (rulebook)
Do yall like this serve rule? #pickleball pic.twitter.com/FnUOKE5Wwv
— Matty Pickles (@matty_pickles) April 25, 2025
Controversy in Texas Ranchers vs Brooklyn Pickleball Team Match
During a crucial men’s doubles match between the Texas Ranchers and Brooklyn Pickleball Team, the controversy over serving emerged. Ranchers’ players Eric Oncins and Christian Alshon were seen executing serves that appeared to violate the new rule.
“The paddle swing when the ball is served must not be downward or flat (through the ball), it must be upward. The highest point of the paddle head must be clearly below the highest point of the wrist when the paddle strikes the ball.” – (rulebook)
Specifically, the release of the ball from their hands was much higher than the allowed height. This raised eyebrows and led to confusion on the part of the Brooklyn team, including Riley Newman and Dekel Bar.
“If the rule is not adhered, the referee will disapprove the ‘point of contact on the body when the serve occurs.’ Service faults are at the referee’s discretion and will not be challengable by teams.” – (rulebook)
In the middle of the match, Brooklyn players were visibly frustrated as they noticed that the serves from Oncins and Alshon were exceeding the permissible height of the toss, contrary to the updated regulations. While the Ranchers’ players may not have been aware of the violation, the lack of a ruling from the referee led to further confusion.
Rulebook Clarification
The MLP rulebook is clear about the requirements for a legal serve. It states that the ball release must be visible to the referee and should not exceed the height of the shoulder.
Furthermore, the ball can travel upward after release, but only equal to the height of the ball itself. The upward motion of the paddle during the serve is crucial as well: the paddle head must remain below the wrist at the moment of contact.
If these conditions are not met, the serve is considered a fault. The rulebook stresses that service faults are at the discretion of the referee, and such decisions are not subject to challenge by the teams. This part of the rulebook has become particularly significant in the ongoing debate, as it highlights the authority of referees in calling faults based on their observations.
In the case of the Ranchers’ match, despite the violation of the new rule, the referee did not call a fault. This decision raised questions about whether the rule was being enforced consistently and accurately. The failure to address the mistake sparked frustration among the Brooklyn team and added fuel to the growing debate over the clarity and enforcement of the serving rule.
Significance of the Dispute
The controversy surrounding the serving rule highlights the challenges of enforcing new regulations in competitive sports. The confusion over the drop serve’s prohibition and the new toss height limits has created tension among players and teams. The inconsistency in officiating, particularly regarding the failure to call a service fault during the Ranchers’ match, has left many questioning the effectiveness of the rule changes.
As the MLP season continues, it will be crucial for officials to clarify the rules and ensure consistent enforcement. Without clear and consistent application of the new serving guidelines, the integrity of the competition could be at risk. This situation also emphasizes the importance of providing players with clear communication regarding rule changes and maintaining transparency in officiating decisions.
News in Brief: MLP Serving Rule Controversy
A major serving controversy took place during a Major League Pickleball match between the Texas Ranchers and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team. The new rule prohibits the drop serve but allows the ball toss to travel upward, with a height limit. Confusion arose when the Ranchers’ players violated this height limit, but the referee did not call a fault, sparking frustration from Brooklyn.
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