No, you cannot bounce a ball on a pickleball serve. When you serve the ball in pickleball, it must be hit directly from your hand without bouncing it first. This means you need to hold the ball in one hand and strike it with your paddle while it is still in the air.
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Rules to bounce a ball on a pickleball serve:
According to the official rules set by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), the server must hit the ball in the air without bouncing it first. This is known as a “volley serve.” The server must follow these key guidelines:
- Underhand Serve: The serve must be underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist.
- No Bounce: The ball cannot be bounced before being hit. It must be struck directly out of the air.
- Foot Position: The server must keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck.
Alternative Serve:
An alternative to the traditional serve is the “drop serve.” As of the 2021 rule changes, players can drop and hit the ball after it bounces. Key points for the drop serve include:
- Drop, Not Throw: The ball must be dropped, not thrown, from any height.
- Single Bounce: After dropping, the ball can bounce once before being struck.
Conclusion:
In pickleball, traditional serving rules require hitting the ball out of the air without a bounce. However, the drop serve provides an alternative method where the ball can bounce once before being hit. Both serve types have specific rules that players must follow to ensure fair play.
