Answers to Racquet Social Pickleball Serve Rules Quiz

Here are the answers to the Racquet Social Pickleball Serve Rules Quiz. The answers include simple explanations and references to the relevant USA Pickleball Association rules.

Question 1: You can hit a volley serve above your waist – True or False?

False. Contact with the ball must not be made above the waist. This is one of the fundamental rules of a pickleball serve. (Rule 4.A.7.c.)

Question 2: When you drop-serve in pickleball, you can let the ball bounce more than once – True or False?

True. There is no restriction how many times the ball can bounce nor where the ball can bounce on the playing surface. (Rule 4.A.8.)

Question 3: You can toss the ball before hitting a volley serve – True or False?

True. “The ball shall not be tossed rule” only applies to drop-serves. (Rule 4.A.8.b.)

Question 4: You can stop your serve motion midway and start over again – True or false?

True. Once the score has been called, the server is allowed 10 seconds to serve the ball. (Rule 4.E.)  If your toss is bad, you can stop and restart within the allotted time.

Question 5: You can toss the ball for a drop-serve – True or False?

False. The ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle. . (Rule 4.A.8.b.)

Question 6: Spin serves are legal in pickleball as long as you don’t prespin the ball before hitting it – True or False?

True. The server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the ball with any part of the body immediately prior to the serve. (Rule 4.A.5.) There is no rule against spin generated from a player’s paddle.

Question 7: The paddle head has to contact the ball below the wrist as you hit a drop-serve – True or False?

True. The restrictions on the volley Serve in Rule 4.A.7 do not apply to the drop serve.

Question 8: You can pre-spin the ball before you hit a drop serve – True or False?

False. The server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the ball with any part of the body immediately prior to the serve. (Rule 4.A.5.)

Question 9: All lines are considered “in” for a pickleball serve, provided the ball lands on the appropriate receiving court – True or False?

False. The serve may clear or touch the net and must clear the NVZ and the NVZ lines. The serve may land on any other service court line. (Rule 4.A.2.)  The NVZ line is not “in”.

Question 10: Both feet must be planted firmly on the ground as you serve – True or False?

False. At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline. (Rule 4.A.4.a.) Only one foot is required to be on the ground during serves.

Question 11: You cannot hit the ball above your waist in a drop serve – True or False?

False. The restrictions on the volley Serve in Rule 4.A.7 do not apply to drop serves.

Question 12: You can drop the ball inside the court for a drop-serve – True or False?

True. There is no restriction how many times the ball can bounce nor where the ball can bounce on the playing surface. (Rule 4.A.8.)

Question 13: The paddle head must be above the wrist during a volley serve – True or False?

False. The highest point of the paddle head must not be above the highest part of the wrist (where the wrist joint bends) when the paddle strikes the ball. (Rule 4.A.7.b.)

Question 14: A serve that touches the net and lands on the correct receiving court, is it a “let.” – True or False?

False. If the ball strikes the top of the net or strikes the top net wire or string and lands inbounds, it remains in play. (Rule 11.L.1.) Note: Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) is not affiliated with USAP and does not follow this rule.