The Legal Pickleball Serve (2025 Rules)
Before you start working on power and spin, you need to understand what is legal. The rules changed significantly in 2021 with the introduction of the drop serve, and there have been clarifications since. According to USA Pickleball, here are the key rules for 2025:
Volley Serve Requirements
- The paddle must contact the ball below the waist (navel level)
- The paddle head must be below the wrist at contact
- The serve must be underhand (upward arc)
- Your feet must be behind the baseline and within the imaginary extensions of the sideline and centerline
Drop Serve Requirements
- Drop the ball from any natural height (no throwing it down)
- Let it bounce, then hit it
- After the bounce, there are NO restrictions on paddle height or angle
- Same foot positioning rules as the volley serve
The drop serve was made permanent in 2022 after a provisional period. It is now fully legal in all sanctioned play. Want more details on rule changes? Check out our guide on 2025 Pickleball Rule Changes.
Volley Serve vs Drop Serve: Which One?
This is one of the most common questions I get from players looking to improve their serve. The short answer: it depends on what you are trying to achieve.
| Aspect | Volley Serve | Drop Serve |
|---|---|---|
| Power Potential | Medium to High | Lower (ball loses energy on bounce) |
| Spin Potential | High (can brush up on toss) | Medium (more sidearm motion) |
| Consistency | Requires precise timing | Easier rhythm |
| Best For | Aggressive, experienced players | Beginners, consistency focus |
Most professional players use the volley serve because it allows for more power and spin. But if you are struggling with consistency or find the waist-height rule restrictive, the drop serve is a completely valid option. Anna Leigh Waters occasionally uses it in high-pressure moments because the rhythm is more predictable.
The Power Serve
A hard, deep serve puts your opponent on their heels immediately. If they cannot get a clean return, your third shot becomes much easier.
Generating Power Legally
Since you cannot toss the ball high and swing down like in tennis, power in pickleball comes from a different source: your body rotation and paddle acceleration through the contact zone.
- Load Your Weight: Start with your weight on your back foot. As you swing, transfer it forward.
- Hip Rotation: Your hips should open toward the target as you swing. Think of it like a golf swing; power comes from the core, not the arm.
- Compact Backswing: You do not need a huge wind-up. A short, fast backswing with explosive acceleration through the ball is more effective.
- Contact Point: Hit the ball at the highest legal point (just below waist level) to maximize your downward trajectory into the service box.
Paddles with elongated shapes and power-focused cores can help you generate more pace. Consider the Joola Hyperion CFS 16mm, which Ben Johns uses partly for its serve power, or the CRBN 1X Power Series if you want a blend of pop and control.
Pro Tip
Power is useless if you hit into the net or long. Always prioritize getting the serve in. A medium-paced serve that lands deep is better than a bullet that goes out.
Adding Spin to Your Serve
Spin makes your serve harder to read and return. Even if you do not generate massive RPMs, a little bit of spin can throw off your opponent's timing.
Topspin Serve
Brush up the back of the ball with a low-to-high swing path. This makes the ball dip quickly after crossing the net and kick forward on the bounce. Topspin is great for keeping deep serves in the court.
Slice Serve (Sidespin)
Contact the outside edge of the ball with a slightly open paddle face and a sideways swing. The ball will curve in the air and skid low on the bounce. A slice serve to the backhand can pull your opponent off the court.
The "Chainsaw" Serve (RIP 2022)
You may have heard about the infamous chainsaw serve popularized by Zane Navratil. Players would spin the ball with their non-paddle hand before contact, creating extreme RPMs. This was banned in 2022 by USA Pickleball. You can no longer use your hand or any body part to impart spin before contact on a volley serve. On a drop serve, you simply drop the ball; no spinning allowed.
For more on spin mechanics, see our in-depth guide on Mastering Pickleball Spin.
Serve Placement Strategy
Where you serve matters as much as how hard you hit it. Smart placement can exploit weaknesses and set up your team for success.
Deep to the Baseline
A deep serve pushes your opponent back, making it harder for them to attack their return. They have fewer angles and must hit a longer shot. This is the default "safe" strategy.
To the Backhand
Most players have weaker backhands than forehands. Serving consistently to the backhand side forces a more defensive return.
Body Serve
A serve aimed directly at the opponent's hip or paddle-side shoulder is awkward to return. They cannot get clean power because their body is in the way. This is especially effective against players who like to run around everything.
Short Angle (The Sneaky Short Serve)
Occasionally, dropping a soft serve just over the net and into the corner can catch an opponent off guard. Use this sparingly; it only works if they are cheating deep expecting power.
Key Takeaway
Vary your serve placement throughout the match. If you hit to the backhand ten times in a row, your opponent will start cheating that direction. Mix it up to keep them guessing.
Building Consistency
A flashy serve means nothing if you are double-faulting every third game. Consistency comes from repeatable mechanics and mental calm.
Simplify Your Motion
The fewer moving parts in your serve, the more reliable it will be. A simple, compact motion with a consistent toss (or drop) is easier to replicate under pressure.
Target Practice
Put cones or towels in the service box and practice hitting them. Aim for the deep corners, then the T, then the body position. Track your percentage over 50 serves and work to improve it weekly.
Pressure Simulation
Practice serving when tired, when distracted, and when someone is watching. The more you replicate match conditions, the less pressure you will feel when it counts.
Pre-Serve Routines
Watch any professional pickleball match, and you will notice that players have rituals before they serve. This is not superstition; it is strategy.
Why Routines Work
A pre-serve routine calms your mind and puts your body into the same starting position every time. It creates consistency by anchoring your serve to a repeatable process.
Building Your Routine
- Bounce the ball a set number of times (two or three)
- Take a deep breath
- Visualize where you want the serve to land
- Look at your target, not your opponent
- Execute
Keep it short; you have only 10 seconds from when the score is called. But a quick, consistent routine can be the difference between a shaky serve and a confident strike.
Common Serving Mistakes
Mistake 1: Rushing
Many players serve immediately after calling the score, before they are mentally ready. Take your time. Use your full 10 seconds if you need it.
Mistake 2: Serving Too Short
A serve that lands in the middle of the service box is an invitation for your opponent to attack. Aim deep. If you occasionally hit long, that is better than constantly giving away easy returns.
Mistake 3: No Variation
If every serve goes to the same spot with the same speed, your opponent will groove their return. Mix pace, spin, and placement.
Mistake 4: Illegal Motion
Some players develop bad habits (paddle above wrist, contact above waist) that get called in tournament play. Have a friend or coach check your form against the official rules.
Serving Drills
1. Cone Challenge
Place four cones in the service box: deep backhand, deep forehand, short backhand, short forehand. Hit 10 serves to each cone. Track your success rate.
2. Pressure Serves
Simulate match pressure: tell yourself "this is game point." If you miss, start over. Build mental toughness by practicing when it matters.
3. Spin Variety
Hit 10 serves with topspin, then 10 with slice, then 10 flat. Focus on the feel of each type. Eventually, you should be able to switch on demand.
4. Return Drill (With a Partner)
Serve to your partner and have them rate your serve from 1 to 5 based on how hard it was to return. This gives you real-world feedback instead of just hitting into an empty court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I jump when I serve?
Yes, as long as both feet are behind the baseline at the moment of contact and you meet all other serve requirements.
How high can I toss the ball on a volley serve?
There is no limit on toss height, but contact must be below the waist with the paddle below the wrist. A higher toss can help with power but makes timing harder.
Is the drop serve weaker than the volley serve?
Generally, yes. The ball loses energy on the bounce. But for some players, the simpler timing makes it more consistent, which can outweigh the power difference.
Should I try to ace my opponent?
Aces are rare in pickleball because the court is small and the serve cannot be hit very hard. Aim for a deep, difficult return rather than an outright winner.
Final Thoughts
The serve is your first opportunity to take control of the point. A deep, well-placed serve with modest spin will beat a wild power serve every time. Focus on consistency first, placement second, and power third.
Develop a pre-serve routine that calms you and sets up repeatable mechanics. Practice under pressure so the tournament serve feels like just another drill.
And remember: the serve is only one shot. Even a perfect serve means nothing if you cannot execute the third shot drop that follows. Combine a reliable serve with solid doubles strategy, and you will be a tough opponent for anyone.
See you on the court, and may your serves land deep.