🎯 Objective

Master the fundamentals of pickleball serving—covering mechanics, positioning, and scoring—so you can deliver consistent, accurate serves every time.

✅ 1. Essential Serving Rules

1.1 Serve Mechanics

• Upward Arc:
  • Paddle moves in an upward arc.
  • Contact the ball below your waist.
  • Paddle head stays below your wrist at contact.
• Drop Serve (Alternative):
  • Drop the ball from any height, let it bounce, then strike.
  • No upward arc requirement (because the ball has bounced).
  • Ball must be dropped, not tossed.

1.2 Server Positioning

• Feet Placement:
  • Keep at least one foot behind the baseline until the ball is struck.
  • Stay within the extended sideline/centerline boundaries.
  • Don’t step on or across the baseline too soon.
• Court Target:
  • Serve diagonally into your opponent’s service box.
  • Any line (except the kitchen line on a serve) is “in” if the ball lands on it.

1.3 Single Serve Attempt

• You get only one serve attempt per turn.
• A fault immediately transfers the serve (to your partner in doubles or to your opponent in singles).

🔄 2. Service Sequence

2.1 Doubles

• First serve of the game starts on the right side.
• After each point, the serving team’s server switches sides (right ↔ left).
• Both teammates typically serve before a “side-out” (except at the start of the game, when only one serve is used).
• Score Call Format: [Serving Team Score] – [Opponent Score] – [Server Number] (e.g., 6–3–2).

2.2 Singles

• If the server’s score is even (0, 2, 4…), serve from the right.
• If the server’s score is odd (1, 3, 5…), serve from the left.

🏆 3. Scoring Systems

1. Traditional (Side-Out) Scoring
   • Only the serving team scores.
   • Games typically go to 11 (win by 2).
2. Rally Scoring
   • A point is awarded every rally.
   • Games may go to 15 or 21 (still must win by 2).

↕ 4. Two-Bounce Rule

1. The receiver must let the serve bounce once before returning.
2. The serving team must then let that return bounce once before playing it.
3. After these two bounces, volleying is allowed.
4. This ensures rallies last longer and prevents overwhelming net-rush advantages.

🚫 5. Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

• The NVZ (or “Kitchen”) is a 7-foot area extending from the net.
• You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while inside or touching this zone.
• It’s a fault if your momentum takes you into the kitchen immediately after a volley.

⚠️ 6. Common Faults

1. Foot Faults:
   • Stepping on/over the baseline too soon or into the NVZ on a volley.
2. Illegal Serve Motion:
   • Contacting the ball above waist level or swinging downward.
3. Serve Out of Bounds:
   • Landing the ball outside the diagonal service court.
4. Kitchen Violation:
   • Volleying while in the non-volley zone.
5. Double Bounce Error:
   • Not allowing the required bounces before volleying (one bounce on each side).
6. Net Contact:
   • Touching the net/posts with your paddle or body.
7. Ball Hitting Player:
   • If the ball hits you or your partner before bouncing in-bounds, it’s a fault.

🥇 7. Serving Techniques

7.1 Traditional Volley Serve

• Execution: Strike the ball from the air in an upward motion.
• Pros: High power and speed.
• Cons: Requires precise mechanics to avoid faults.

7.2 Drop Serve

• Execution: Drop the ball, let it bounce, then hit.
• Pros: Simpler to execute; allows more spin/control.
• Cons: Generally less powerful.

💡 8. Pro Tips for Better Serving

1. Eyes on the Ball: Don’t look up too soon; watch contact carefully.
2. Serve Variety: Change speed, depth, and spin.
3. Aim for Consistency: Prioritize reliability over power when learning.
4. Serve Deep: Keep opponents at the baseline longer.
5. Placement & Accuracy: Target weaknesses—often the backhand or middle.

🎾 9. Optimal Court Positioning

• Server: Behind the baseline, ready with knees bent and paddle prepared.
• Server’s Partner: Typically near or behind the baseline, ready to advance.
• Receiver: Centered along the baseline, preparing a strong return.
• Receiver’s Partner: Near the kitchen line, poised for the next shot.

🔧 10. Hands-On Drill: “Serve Mastery Circuit”

1. Setup:
   • Place targets or cones in the opposite service box.
   • Alternate between volley and drop serves.
2. Execution:
   • Hit 5 volley serves aiming for a deep corner.
   • Hit 5 drop serves focusing on spin or short placement.
   • Rotate positions and partners.
3. Goal:
   • Improve consistency, accuracy, and strategic variety.

📋 11. Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Do’s

• Use an upward arc; keep the paddle below your wrist on contact.
• Keep at least one foot behind the baseline while serving.
• Serve diagonally crosscourt and call the score clearly before serving.

Don’ts

• Contact the ball above your waist or with a downward motion.
• Step on or across the baseline prematurely.
• Volley from inside the Kitchen or step into it during a volley.

📌 Summary

• Understand and follow official serving mechanics (upward arc, contact below the waist).
• Use the two-bounce rule and NVZ boundaries to your advantage.
• Vary your serves (drop vs. volley) to keep opponents guessing.
• Practice consistently with targeted drills to reduce faults and improve accuracy.

With these guidelines in hand—plus strategic drills and solid fundamentals—you’ll see immediate improvements in your serve technique and overall gameplay.