A serve named drop serve was once provisional in 2021. However, it became permanent due to its popularity and effectiveness later in 2022. It is not like you just dropped the ball and are all set for a legal serve.
Instead, it has some severe rules and steps for playing it. Let us know what a Pickleball drop serve is and how you can play it without any complexity.
What is a Drop Serve in Pickleball?
As the name suggests, a drop serve in Pickleball is one in which you drop a ball from any height. Then, you allow the ball to bounce at least once anywhere on the court surface and then hit it following the serving and footwork rules.
You can play a drop serve by following either backhand or forehand motion.
You are not restricted to a specific position or movement for this serve. Similarly, there are no restrictions on the number of the ball bounces.
It can bounce as many times, and then you have to hit it with either of your dominant hands.
But you should follow all the official rules and regulations of serving and overall Pickleball.
How to Drop Serve in Pickleball?
There can be several ways to hit a drop serve in Pickleball. But we have made the process easier for you with these convenient steps:
- The first step is the same for any type of serve in Pickleball. Accordingly, you must stand behind the baseline and between the boundaries (sideline and centerlines of the court). Achieve good footwork, maintain your momentum/ weight and don’t touch the baseline.
- Then, hold the ball in your non-dominant (left) for right-handed players and (right) for left-handed players. However, you should keep the paddle in your dominant hand.
- Drop the ball from your non-dominant hand to any natural height. At this point, you should remember not to throw or toss the ball.
- It would also be good to avoid adding spin to the ball using a paddle or any added force. Otherwise, your drop serve will be considered illegal.
- Let the ball bounce once on the court surface as it drops.
- Then, hit it with your dominant hand by keeping the paddle head below your wrist and following other essential serving rules of Pickleball.
- You should aim to land the ball deep into your opponent’s court without letting it touch the net.
Pickleball Drop Serve Rules
The drop shot in Pickleball is not just about dropping the ball. Instead, it has some exciting rules for ensuring fair play.
USAPA has discussed all of them clearly in its rulebook’s section 4.A.8. Let us know them one here:
The first essential rule about playing a drop serve is to use either your non-dominant hand or the paddle for dropping the ball according to the section (4.A.8.a).
If you use any other means of dropping the ball, it would become an illegal serve.
According to the rule (4.A.8.b), you are not allowed to throw, toss, or drop the ball with unnatural motions to create a spin.
Moreover, you are also not allowed to hit the ball upward with a paddle.
The rule (4.A.8.c) says there are no restrictions like the volley serve on the drop serve.
In light of this rule, there are no limitations like the given ones on your drop shots:
- Your paddle head should be below the waistline or above the wristline when the paddle hits the ball.
- The ball should touch the paddle below your wrist.
- The paddle should move in an upward arc when you hit the ball.
Pickleball Drop Serve Rule Change
Now, let us know some exciting changes to the Pickleball drop serves rules in 2025:
- You are not restricted to bouncing the ball just once. So, it can bounce as many times without any restrictions as you want, and then you can hit it.
- Secondly, you are not allowed to add spin to the ball with your hand before hitting it.
- Lastly, you should drop the ball with just one hand, or you can pull it off the paddle face.
Is It Legal to Drop the Ball on the Serve in Pickleball?
Yes, dropping the ball on the serve in Pickleball is entirely legal. USAPA has confirmed it further in its official recent rulebook.
According to its rules, you can drop the ball and hit it after it bounces at least once.
But it should bounce behind the baseline, and you should follow the Pickleball serving rules to ensure a competitive play.
The Pros and Cons of Pickleball’s Drop Serve
Everything has some downsides and upsides. The same is the case with the drop shot.
Having it in mind, let us know the pros and cons of Pickleball’s drop serve:
Pros of a Pickleball Drop Serve
So here are the good things about playing a drop serve in Pickleball:
- Playing a drop is an open chance to improve consistency throughout the game. For instance, you can use it while playing various groundstrokes and make the most of it.
- Sometimes, the weather changes, and the wind gets intense. In this case, it is challenging to hit or return a powerful serve with other types of techniques. But by using a drop serve, you can conveniently return the ball even in windy conditions due to its considerably good power.
- You can control the movements of the ball with a drop serve. It bounces when you drop the ball, so its control level also changes constantly. You can hit it whenever you have achieved your desirable control.
Cons of the Drop Serve
These are the reasons why the drop serve may not be a good choice for you:
These are the reasons why the drop serve may not be a good choice for you:
- You can only change your position slowly when playing a drop serve.
The reason is that you can only take a little time to hit the ball after dropping it.
If you have passed over the steps, then it might be difficult for you to return to the correct position of hitting the serve.
- Many players have been worrying about their lousy drop serves due to alarming heights.
For instance, they could hit a better drop shot if taller or dropped the ball from a good height.
You can ensure yourself by analyzing Tyson McGuffin, who elevates up on his toes to get better contact with the serve.
FAQs: Pickleball Drop Serve
1. Can you drop serve in Pickleball?
Yes, you are all allowed to drop a serve in Pickleball and then hit it after bouncing it at least once.
This is an official Pickleball rule, although it is new. It was provisional in the 2021 rulebook. However, it became permanent in the USAPA rule book at the start of 2022.
2. Is a drop serve legal in Pickleball?
In a USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) rule 4.A.8, you can play a drop serve in pickleball without having any faults.
That is why a drop serve is legal in Pickleball in light of this USAPA rule.
3. Is a Backhand Drop Serve Legal in Pickleball?
According to the rule, a backhand drop serve is entirely legal in Pickleball (4.A.6.).
4. Do any Pickleball pros use the drop serve?
Some, but not all, pickleball pros use the drop serve. It is a good option for beginners who strive for game consistency.
5. Why the drop serves over the in-air volley serve?
It all depends on your personal preferences. If you want better consistency, control and attacking opponents with low shots, then the drop serve can be your proper arsenal.
On the other hand, if you need some quick returns, then the in-air volley serve is what you need the most.
Final Thoughts on Drop Serve in Pickleball
To wrap up, the Pickleball drop serve is legal to play whenever you want. But you should follow its rules and pay attention to its restrictions. Regularly practicing it can prove a helpful tool to your serve list.
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I’m Brandon Fritze, a pro Pickleball player, instructor, and tournament champion with a degree in Sport Studies from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. With years of experience, I’ve sharpened my expertise in the game, helping over 100 players become skilled in Pickleball. Through my renowned blog, “Pickleball Infos,” I inspire and empower players of all levels to enhance their skills and experience the thrill of this amazing sport.