I love how fast our sport is growing, but let’s be honest—it can be a bit of a challenge to keep up with all the changes! Every year, USA Pickleball tweaks the rules to make sure the game we love stays fair and fun for everyone on the court. I’ve taken a deep dive into the 2026 Official Rulebook, especially focusing on the 2026 USA Pickleball Rules – Section 7: Serving, to pull out exactly what you need to know, so you don’t have to. My goal is to help you stay ahead of the game and avoid any of those awkward “is that legal?” moments during your next match.
Section 7 Serving
7.A Server positioning.
When the serve is hit, the server must be in compliance with Rules 7.A.1, 7.A.2 and 7.A.3.
7.A.1 Grounded. At least one of the server’s feet must be in contact with the correct serving area when the serve is hit.
7.A.1 Fault – Server Not Grounded. When both server’s feet are off the playing surface when the serve is hit, it is a fault against the server.
7.A.2 Outside Court. Neither of the server’s feet is allowed to be in contact with the court when the serve is hit.
7.A.2.a Fault – Server Contacting Court. If a server’s foot is in contact with the court when the serve is hit, it is a fault against the server.
7.A.3 In Serving Area. Neither of the server’s feet is allowed to be in contact with the playing surface outside the correct serving area when the serve is hit.
7.A.3.a Fault – Server Outside Serving. If a server’s foot is in contact with the playing surface outside the correct serving area when the serve is hit, it is a fault against the server.
7.B Ball Release.
The server must comply with Rules 7.B.1 through 7.B.3 when releasing the ball to make the serve.
7.B.1 Release from Hand or Paddle. The server must release the ball using only one hand or only the paddle.
7.B. 2 No Manipulation or Spin Upon Release. Some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball. The server must not manipulate the ball to add spin with any part of the server’s body or the paddle prior to hitting the ball to make the serve, except that the server may allow the ball to roll off the face of the paddle by gravity. Spin may be applied to the ball upon contact by the paddle.
7.B.2.a Replay – Manipulation or Spin Added. When the receiver determines that the server has imparted manipulation or spin during the release of the ball, the receiver may call for a replay, but only before returning the serve.
7.B.3 Visible Release. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver.
7.B.3.a Replay – Ball Release Not Visible. When the receiver cannot see the release of the ball, the receiver may call for a replay, but only before the return of serve.
7.C Volley Serve
The service motion for a volley serve must comply with Rules 7.C.1 through 7.C.4.
7.C.1 Upward Arc. The server’s paddle must be moving in a clear upward arc when the paddle contacts the ball.
7.C.2 Paddle Head. The highest point of the paddle head must clearly not be above the highest part of the server’s wrist joint when the paddle contacts the ball.
7.C.3 Ball Height. The ball must clearly be no higher than the server’s waist when the paddle contacts the ball.
7.C.4 Forehand or Backhand. The serve can be made with a forehand or backhand motion.
7.C.5 Fault – Illegal Volley Serve. When the server violates Rule 7.C.1, 7.C.2, or 7.C.3, it is a fault against the server.
7.D Drop Serve
A drop serve is made by dropping the ball and hitting the ball with the paddle after the ball bounces on the playing surface. The service motion for a drop serve must comply with Rules 7.D.1 through 7.D.5.
7.D. 1 Release Position. The server must release the ball from a natural (unaided) height.
7.D. 2 Release Force. When releasing the ball, the ball must not be propelled in any direction or in any manner prior to hitting the serve.
7.D. 3 Number of Bounces. Before the server hits the ball to make the serve, there is no restriction on how many times the ball can bounce.
7.D. 4 Bounce Location. Before the server hits the ball to make the serve, there is no restriction on where the ball bounces on the playing surface.
7.D. 5 Forehand or Backhand. The serve can be made with a forehand or backhand motion.
7.D. 6 Fault – Illegal Drop Serve. When the server violates Rule 7.D.1 or 7.D.2, it is a fault against the server.
7.E Serve Placement.
The server must serve to the service court diagonally opposite their correct (See Rule 14.B.3 for mini-singles.) The served ball must clear the opponent’s non-volley zone, with or without touching the net, and land in the correct service court.
7.E.1 Fault – Serve Lands Out of Bounds. When a served ball lands outside the correct service court, it is a fault against the server.
7.E.2 Fault – Serve Lands in Non-Volley Zone. When a served ball lands in the non-volley zone, it is a fault against the server.
7.E.3 Fault – Serve Hits Permanent Object. When a served ball contacts a permanent object before landing, it is a fault against the server.
7.E.4 Fault – Serve Hits Server or Server’s Partner. When a served ball contacts the server or server’s partner or anything that is worn or carried by either, it is a fault against the server.
7.E. 5 Fault – Serve Hits Receiver or Receiver’s Partner. When a served ball contacts the receiver or receiver’s partner or anything that is worn or carried by either, before landing, it is a fault against the receiver.
Source: USA Pickleball Pickleball Official Rule Book, pages 16-18.
Download the Full USA Pickleball Rule Book Here.
Reading the rules is one thing but seeing them in action is another. Click here to watch a quick video that brings these serving rules to life.
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)
Is is legal for the receiver apon a serve to be swaying and doing distracting movements?
Hi Jill, here is the defination of a distraction. Physical actions by a player that are not common to the game and interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, and waving the paddle in an erratic manner.
“7.E.3 Fault – Serve Hits Permanent Object. When a served ball contacts a permanent object before landing, it is a fault against the server.“
Please clarify that the net is not to be considered a permanent object, correct?
It depends on what you are referring to when you say net. If you mean the net itself, no but the other pieces of the net structure are. The best way to understand it is to look up the defination of permanent object.
Permanent Object. Any object on, above, or near the court that can interfere with play. Examples include, but are not limited to ceilings, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts (including connected wheels, arms, and legs). Net cable or rope on top of the net post, and other net support construction. Stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when
Can the receivers partner straddle the midline of the court as a ball is being served?
Great question, Carol! The only positioning rule in pickleball applies to the server, so technically yes, the receiver’s partner can straddle the line. But is it a good idea? We’d recommend standing about a foot off the center line instead it gives you great court position without putting you in harm’s way.
Can I throw the ball upward while doing a volley serve? Is this considered a manipulation? If it’s legal how high can I throw the ball?
The rule allows for an upward toss as long as there is no spin or manipulation of the ball when it’s released
Is an upward toss allowed for a volley serve or drop serve? If so is there a limit to how high the toss can be?
The ball can travel upward in a volley serve as long as there is no additional spin added to the release. In a drop serve it cannot be propelled any direction, it needs to be a drop.
Is there a rule about how low i should drop the ball for a volley, and the dwell time in the air for a volley serve? I usually do my volley serves “immediately” after i let the ball go and i have been called faults for this, saying i wasnt letting the ball “drop” even though my arm and my paddle are very far apart prior to volley serving.
There are three rules that cover the release on the volley serve and none of them would result in a fault based on the situation you’ve described
7.B Ball Release. The server must comply with Rules 7.B.1 through 7.B.3 when releasing the ball to make the serve.
7.B.1 Release from Hand or Paddle. The server must release the ball using only one hand or only the paddle.
7.B.2 No Manipulation or Spin Upon Release. Some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball. The server must not manipulate the ball to add spin with any part of the server’s body or the paddle prior to hitting the ball to make the serve, except that the server may allow the ball to roll off the face of the paddle by gravity. Spin may be applied to the ball upon contact by the paddle.
7.B.2.a Replay – Manipulation or Spin Added. When the receiver determines that the server has imparted manipulation or spin during the release of the ball, the receiver may call for a replay, but only before returning the serve.
7.B.3 Visible Release. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver.
7.B.3.a Replay – Ball Release Not Visible. When the receiver cannot see the release of the ball, the receiver may call for a replay, but only before the return of serve.