What is a drop serve in pickleball?
I · Intermediate · Serving and rallies · 2 of 5Checked 15 October 2026
There are two serves. A volley serve is hit before the ball bounces, with the paddle moving upward, its head below the wrist and contact at or below the waist. A drop serve is dropped from a natural height and hit after a bounce. The server may not spin the ball by hand.
How it works
- Volley serve: before the bounce.
- Paddle path: upward arc.
- Paddle head: below the wrist.
- Contact: at or below the waist.
- Drop serve: after a bounce.
- Drop: natural, not thrown.
- Bounces: any number, anywhere.
- Spin by hand: not allowed.
The glossary has the volley serve, the drop serve, the spin serve, the ball release, the serve and the replay.
Tricky cases
Can I toss the ball up for a drop serve?
No. It must be dropped.
Can the drop serve bounce twice?
Yes.
Can I add spin with my fingers?
No. Only on contact with the paddle.
The receiver cannot see the release. What can they do?
Call for a replay before returning.
Why the rule exists
The drop serve is easy to judge, because none of the volley serve's height rules apply.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Volley serve | Height limits | L 7.C |
| Drop serve | None | L 7.D |
| Hand spin | Not allowed | L 7.B.2 |
From the rule book
USA Pickleball, Official Rulebook (2026), Rule 7. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026.