LIST OF SUGGESTED PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR PREVIOUS YEARS
| Rule Submission Title | Serve Definition |
|---|---|
| USAP Board Voting Status | Passed |
| USAP Rules Committee Voting Status | Passed Editorial change |
| Existing Rule # | 3.A.34 & 4.A.5.a |
| Proposed Rule Change | 3.A.34. Serve - The initial strike of the ball with the paddle to start the rally. 4.A.5.a - The server's arm must be moving in an upward arc at the time the ball is struck with the paddle and may be made with either a forehand or backhand motion. (See Figure 4-3.) |
| Original Rule Text | 3.A.34. Serve - The initial strike of the ball to start the rally. 4.A.5.a - The server's arm must be moving in an upward arc at the time the ball is struck and may be made with either a forehand or backhand motion. (See Figure 4-3.) |
| Reasoning Behind Suggested Change | The serving motion has been removed from the rule book and debate has taken place on social media as to an attempt to serve being a fault. |
| Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies | A server attempts to serve and misses the ball with his/her paddle, but the ball is propelled forward off of the server's forearm. The ball did not strike the paddle or the server's paddle hand below the wrist. This is no different than the ball bouncing off any other part of the server's body. It should not be a fault and should result in a retry within the 10 second time limit. |
| Rule Book Year | 2023 |
| Rule Change ID | 343 |
| Date Created | April 23, 2022 |
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