Overhead Serves in Pickleball: In pickleball, the rules surrounding serving are clear-cut and designed to maintain the integrity and pace of the game. Traditionally, a serve must be executed with an upward swing, with the paddle making contact with the ball at or below the server’s waistline.
The ball should be struck with a wrist roll and must not involve any additional force, such as tossing or throwing it to create extra bounce. The serve, in all cases, must be a clean and controlled shot, not influenced by external motion or spin.
The Traditional Serve and the Rulebook
The official rulebook emphasizes that a legal pickleball serve must meet specific criteria:
- The ball must be served below the waist (at or below the navel).
- No spinning of the ball is allowed before serving.
- The serve must be made underhand or sidearm.
These rules aim to create a fair and consistent start to each point, ensuring that the ball travels predictably over the net. However, recent discussions around the legality of overhead serves have sparked confusion, especially with a viral video circulating on social media suggesting overhead serves are now legal in pickleball.
The Overhead Serve in Major League Pickleball
Contrary to common belief, overhead serves are, in fact, legal—but only under certain circumstances. The Major League Pickleball (MLP) organization introduced a new rule before the 2024 season, allowing an overhead serve, or “head serve,” which differs from the traditional underhand technique.
Key features of the MLP overhead serve include:
- The serve must be tossed in a way that is clearly visible to the referee, ensuring transparency in the execution.
- The paddle head must be below the wrist when the ball is struck, adhering to the rule of an upward or underhand motion.
- The server’s arm must trace an arc that results in an upward motion to create a controlled and consistent serve.
This new pickleball rule grants greater freedom of technique for players, as long as the ball lands as a volley serve (before it touches the ground). There’s also no restriction on the server touching the ball with their body during the serve, allowing for more flexibility in execution.
View this post on Instagram
The Serving Process and Integrity of the Game
The new MLP rule, while controversial, aims to make the serving process more clear and adaptable. Despite the change, the integrity of the game remains intact, as the serve must still be executed with precision and control.
This also eliminates the possibility of challenges on a player’s service once it is called, ensuring the flow of the game remains smooth.
News in Brief: Overhead Serves in Pickleball
Overhead serves are legal in Major League Pickleball (MLP) but not in traditional pickleball play. The MLP introduced a “head serve” rule prior to the 2024 season, allowing players to serve overhead, with specific standards for the serve’s execution.
The ball must be tossed visibly, and the paddle head must stay below the wrist when the ball is struck. This pickleball rule provides more freedom for players without compromising the game’s integrity.
ALSO READ: Master the Overhead Smash To Revolutionize Gameplay with Expert Tips from James Ignatowich
