What makes a legal pickleball serve?
B · Beginner · Serving and rallies · 3 of 5The server stands behind the baseline with no foot on the court and serves within 10 seconds of calling the score. The ball must clear the opponents' non-volley zone and land in the diagonal service court; a serve on the kitchen line is short. A serve that clips the net and lands in is played on.
How it works
- Position: behind the baseline.
- Feet: none on the court.
- Time: 10 seconds after the call.
- Target: diagonal service court.
- Kitchen line: short, a fault.
- Net cord: play on.
- One serve: per server turn.
- Release: visible, no spin added.
The glossary has the serve, the server position, the service court, the let serve, the short serve fault and the 10-second rule.
Tricky cases
The serve touches the net and lands in. Replay?
No. It is in play.
The serve lands on the non-volley zone line. In?
No. A fault.
Can I serve from the side of the court?
No. Within the extensions of the sideline and centreline.
The receiver was not ready. Can they say so?
Yes, before the score call starts.
Why the rule exists
Ending the let replay removed arguments over whether a serve touched the net.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net cord | Play on | L 7.E |
| Kitchen line | Fault | L 8.C |
| Time | 10 seconds | L 6.D |
From the rule book
USA Pickleball, Official Rulebook (2026), Rules 6, 7 and 8. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026.