Pickleball / Topic 09
The drop serve
USA Pickleball / GPF · 2026In short
The drop serve is struck after the ball bounces. Release it from a natural, unaided height without propelling it upward, downward or sideways. The volley serve's wrist, upward-arc and waist restrictions do not govern this method.
The rule
The drop serve is struck after the ball bounces. Release it from a natural, unaided height without propelling it upward, downward or sideways. The volley serve's wrist, upward-arc and waist restrictions do not govern this method.
In practice
The ball may bounce more than once before contact, and its bounce location is unrestricted on the playing surface. Serving-foot and diagonal-placement requirements still apply. Do not add spin when releasing the ball; striking it with spin is allowed.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. This guide follows the supplied 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, Global Pickleball Federation edition. Its standard rules cover singles and doubles; tournament and adaptive sections add specific modifications.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗