USA Pickleball Rule Changes

7.B Ball Release. The server must comply with Rules 7.B.1 through 7.B.4 7.B.3 when releasing the ball to make the serve.

7.B.1 Release Height. The server must release the ball by tossing it upward or dropping it from a height no higher than server’s shoulders.

7.B.2 7.B.1 Release from Hand or Paddle. The server must release the ball using only one hand or only the paddle either from one hand or from the paddle face by tipping the paddle so the ball rolls off.

7.B.3 7.B.2 No Spin or Manipulation 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. The server must release the ball without applying significant spin or manipulation.

7.B.3.a 7.B.2.a Replay – Manipulation or Spin Added. When the receiver determines that the server has imparted significant manipulation or spin during the release of the ball, the receiver may call for a replay, but only before returning the serve.

7.B.4 7.B.3 Visible Release. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver.

7.B.4.a 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.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.C Types of Serve. A player may use either a volley serve or a drop serve to begin a rally.

7.D.17.C.4 7.D.5 Forehand or Backhand. The serve can be made using a forehand or backhand motion.

7.D.2 Fault – Illegal Service Motion. When the server violates Rule 7.D, it is a fault against the server.

20.E Service Faults and Replays. Service faults or replays will be called in accordance with Rule 20.E.1 or Rule 20.E.2.

20.E.1 Faults. In addition to the violations cited in Section 7, the referee will call faults for service violations.

20.E.1.a Fault – No Upward Service Motion. When the server’s arm paddle is not clearly moving in an upward arc when the paddle contacts the ball, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.1.b Fault – Volley Serve, Paddle Head Above Wrist. When the highest point of the paddle head is clearly above the server’s wrist joint when the paddle contacts the ball, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.1.c Fault – Volley Serve, Ball Contacted Above Waist. When the ball is clearly above the server’s waist when the paddle contacts the ball, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.1.b 20.E.1.d Fault - Release from Hands and Paddle. Volley Serve and Drop Serve, When the server does not clearly release the ball from only one hand or only from the paddle immediately prior to the serve, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.1.c 20.E.1.e Fault – Spin or Manipulation Added on Release. Volley Serve and Drop Serve, When the server clearly manipulates or spins the ball immediately prior to the serve, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.1.f Fault – Drop Serve, Force Added to Ball Release. When the server propels the ball in any direction or manner prior to hitting the ball to make a drop serve, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.1.d 20.E.1.g Fault – Ball Release Too High. When the server does not clearly release the ball from a natural (un-aided) height releases the ball from a height clearly above their shoulders, it is a fault against the server.

20.E.2 Replays. The referee has the authority to call for a replay when they are not certain that one or more of the requirements of the serve has been met. Replays must be called before the return of serve.

20.E.2.a Replay – Ball Release Not Visible. When it is questionable whether the release of the ball was not visible to the referee and receiver, the referee may call for a replay. When the referee is certain that the release of the ball was not visible to the referee and the receiver, the referee must call for a replay. (Modifies Rule 7.B.4.a)

20.E.2.b Replay – Questionable Release From One Hand, Paddle or Natural Height. When it is questionable whether the server released the ball from only one hand or only from the paddle, or whether the release on a drop serve was from a natural (un-aided) height, the referee may call for a replay.

20.E.2.i Replay – Drop Serve, Questionable Force on Ball. When it is questionable whether the ball was propelled when the server released the ball to make a drop serve, the referee must call for a replay.

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.

20.E Service Faults and Replays. Service faults or replays will be called in accordance with Rule 20.E.1 or Rule 20.E.2.
20.E.1 Faults. In addition to the violations cited in Section 7, the referee will call faults for service violations.
20.E.1.a Fault – Volley Serve, No Upward Service Motion. When the server’s arm is not clearly moving in an upward arc when the paddle contacts the ball, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.1.b Fault – Volley Serve, Paddle Head Above Wrist. When the highest point of the paddle head is clearly above the server’s wrist joint when the paddle contacts the ball, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.1.c Fault – Volley Serve, Ball Contacted Above Waist. When the ball is clearly above the server’s waist when the paddle contacts the ball, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.1.d Fault – Volley Serve and Drop Serve, Release from Hands and Paddle. When the server does not clearly release the ball from only one hand or only from the paddle immediately prior to the serve, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.1.e Fault – Volley Serve and Drop Serve, Spin or Manipulation on Release. When the server manipulates or spins the ball immediately prior to the serve, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.1.f Fault – Drop Serve, Force Added to Ball Release. When the server propels the ball in any direction or manner prior to hitting the ball to make a drop serve, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.1.g Fault – Drop Serve, Ball Release Aided Height. When the server does not clearly release the ball from a natural (un-aided) height, it is a fault against the server.
20.E.2 Replays. The referee has the authority to call for a replay when they are not certain that one or more of the requirements of the serve has been met. Replays must be called before the return of serve.
20.E.2.a Replay – Ball Release Not Visible. When it is questionable whether the release of the ball was not visible to the referee and receiver, the referee may call for a replay. When the referee is certain that the release of the ball was not visible, the referee must call for a replay.
20.E.2.b Replay – Questionable Release From One Hand, Paddle or Natural Height. When it is questionable whether the server released the ball from only one hand or only from the paddle, or whether the release on a drop serve was from a natural (un-aided) height, the referee may call for a replay.
20.E.2.c Replay – Questionable Manipulation or Spin. When it is questionable whether the server imparted manipulation or spin during the release of the ball, the referee may call for a replay. (Modifies Rule 7.B.2.a)
20.E.2.d Replay – Questionable Foot Contact with Serving Area. When it is questionable whether either of the server’s feet were in contact with the serving area when the paddle contacted the ball, the referee may call for a replay.
20.E.2.e Replay – Questionable Foot Contact Outside the Serving Area. When it is questionable whether either of the server’s feet were in contact with the playing surface outside the serving area when the paddle contacted the ball, the referee may call for a replay.
20.E.2.f Replay – Volley Serve, Questionable Upward Service Motion. When it is questionable whether the server’s arm was moving in an upward arc when the paddle contacted the ball to make a volley serve, the referee may call for a replay.
20.E.2.g Replay – Volley Serve, Questionable Paddle Head Height. When it is questionable whether the highest point of the paddle head was no higher than the server’s wrist joint when the paddle contacted the ball to make a volley serve, the referee may call for a replay.
20.E.2.h Replay – Volley Serve, Questionable Ball Height. When it is questionable whether the ball was no higher than the server’s waist when the paddle contacted the ball to make a volley serve, the referee may call for a replay.
20.E.2.i Replay – Drop Serve, Questionable Force on Ball. When it is questionable whether the ball was propelled when the server released the ball to make a drop serve, the referee must call for a replay.

The premise of this proposal is to simplify the service rules the for players and referees by:

· Returning the service requirements to the original elements in place when the sport was created — underhand serve and contact with the ball is made below the server’s waist.

· Instituting a ball release that will naturally keep the ball from being higher than the server’s waist when it is struck. This will relieve the age-old dilemma to know exactly where a player’s waist is, which can be anywhere between the chest and the hips. There is no advantage to the server if the serve is hit with an underhand stroke when the ball is above the waist.

· Allowing the same ball release to be used for the volley serve and drop serve for consistency and simplicity.

· Easing the ball release criteria so faults are not called for insignificant movements.

· Allowing flexibility and consistency for the server to toss or drop the ball for either serve type.

· Instituting the underhand stroke for the drop serve to maintain consistency with the volley serve and the original service requirement. The current rules permit the drop serve to be weaponized by allowing any stroke to be used, contrary to the ban on weaponization of the serve in prior years (e.g., the chainsaw serve).

· Requiring the server to execute a clearly underhand stroke, which will result in the paddle head naturally being below the server’s wrist when the ball is struck.

· Using the same service actions for each serve. The only difference is whether the ball is struck before or after it bounces. This simplifies what the referee has to watch during the execution of the serve when multiple elements must be enforced. The referee will no longer need to focus on locating the server’s waist nor whether the paddle head is above the server’s wrist.

The vast majority of serves already comply with these proposed rule changes, so players do not need to make major adjustments. The changes will also eliminate the antics that can come along with players allowing the ball to bounce several times before hitting a drop serve or standing on tippy-toes to drop the ball or tossing the ball extremely high in the air to make a volley serve.

For further simplification, it is recommended that the questionable rules be eliminated to strengthen the enforcement of the “clearly” requirements. Any questionable element means the service requirement is not being clearly executed and should be faulted. 

Scenario 1: Player A's hand follows the path of the ball when they drop it to make a drop serve. This would no longer be a fault or replay for applying questionable force to the ball.

Scenario 2: Player B steps toward the baseline when executing a drop serve. This would no longer be a fault as the ball would be hit below the server's waist with an underhand stroke.