Why has the volley serve been banned in pickleball?

The volley serve has been banned in pickleball to promote fairness and prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage. It ensures that both serving and receiving players have an equal opportunity to react to the serve and engage in the game.

What is a volley serve?

A volley serve in pickleball refers to serving the ball before it bounces on the server's side of the court. The server hits the ball directly out of the air without allowing it to touch the ground first.

Are there any exceptions to the volley serve ban?

Yes, there are exceptions to the volley serve ban. The ban only applies to the serve. Once the serve is completed and the ball is in play, players are allowed to hit the ball out of the air, including near the net.

What are the consequences of violating the volley serve ban?

Violating the volley serve ban can result in the loss of the serve and a point for the opposing team. It is important to follow the official rules and guidelines of pickleball to maintain fairness during gameplay.

Where can I find the official rules of pickleball?

The official rules of pickleball can be found on the official website of the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). They provide a comprehensive guide to the rules, including the volley serve ban and other important aspects of the game.

Volley serve in pickleball soon to be banned: 2024 rule change?

Pickleball has always been known for its simplicity and easy-to-learn rules. Yet, the landscape of the game is constantly evolving, with regulations undergoing modifications as players continue to push their limits.

One of these prospective rule changes proposed for 2024 is the banning of the volley serve. Here’s what you need to know:

Overview of the existing volley serve rule
Introducing the proposed new rule
Reasoning behind this major rule change
The impact of the rule change on the game and its players

A Look at the Existing Rule: The Volley Serve

In the current USA Pickleball rulebook, the volley serve is a legal move. This high serve, also known as the lob serve, involves the server striking the ball without allowing it to bounce off the playing surface. The shot can be executed with either a forehand or a backhand motion.

Unpacking the Proposed Rule Change: The Drop Serve

Under the proposed new regulation for 2024, the volley serve will be illegal. In its place, the drop serve will become the only legal serve option. The drop serve involves a more downward motion of the ball, and the new rule explicitly states that “The ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle or any part of the server’s body.”

The Rationale Behind the New Rule

The change is being proposed due to ongoing challenges with the volley serve in high-level games. Players continue to seek ways to gain an advantage over their opponents, pushing the limits of the existing rulebook. This is especially noticeable with the volley serve as players inch closer to the line of what is legally and illegally permissible.

With the current volley serve, discerning whether a player is violating the three elements (upward motion, paddle head height, ball contact point) is exceptionally challenging, even with slow-motion replays. As such, players have been inching towards a flatter plane of motion with the volley serve, making it increasingly difficult for referees to make a fair call in real-time.

The Impact of the Rule Change

The proposed 2024 volley serve rule change may bring about significant changes to the way pickleball is played, and how players strategize their game. By eliminating the volley serve, players may have to re-adjust their techniques and strategies, focusing more on precision and timing rather than power and unpredictability.

Note: For a more comprehensive understanding, visit the Rulebook Database available at USA Pickleball’s website. The updated rule repository offers detailed explanations of both the existing and new rules.