What to know when serving in Pickleball

Where to Stand

Stand behind the base line of the serving area prior to striking the ball. Your feet cannot touch the base line or any part of the in-bounds court before hitting the ball. When you hit the ball, one foot must rest fully behind the base line, while the other can move onto the in-bounds area of the court.
In singles play, serve from the right service area when your score is an even point and from the left service area when your score is an odd point. In doubles play, start your serve from the right service area and switch between the right and left area after each point. If you lose the right to serve the ball and then win it back, start in the right service area, no matter where you left off from the last serve.

How to Serve

Drop the ball with your free hand and strike the ball with the paddle in an underhand motion. The USA Pickleball Association defines an underhand motion as one where the head of the racket moves in an upward motion when striking the ball. Strike the ball so that is flies diagonally over the court and lands in the opposite service area. The ball must land beyond the non-volley zone line. The ball cannot touch the net during the serve.

Service Lets

A service let results in replaying the serve. You do not receive a point for a service let and your opponent does not win the chance to serve. Service lets occur when the ball touches the net and lands in the proper service area; the ball touches the net and hits the receiver; or if there is a distraction during the serve, such as a foreign object entering the court.

Service Faults

You lose your opportunity to serve when you commit a service fault. Service faults include placing your foot on the base line or an in-bounds part of the court prior to serving; missing the ball when you swing your racket; being touched by the ball, your teammate, or anything you or your teammate are wearing; the ball landing in the non-volley zone or touching the non-volley line; the ball touching the net and landing outside the proper service area; or the ball landing outside the proper service area on your opponent's side of the court.