Imagine this: it’s the start of the game and you smash a serve for an ace. But someone shouts, “Let!” Play stops, and you’re left scratching your head. What is a let in pickleball? Is it a secret code? A Jedi mind trick?
The let serve can be a very confusing thing in the pickleball universe, especially since the rules changed a few years ago.
If you’re coming from a tennis background, you’ve likely heard the word, “let,” quite frequently. And pickleball is a similar game to tennis–with a tennis-type net on a badminton-sized court.
So is a let the same in pickleball games? And are let serves even a thing in pickleball anymore?
Read on to find out.
What is a Let in Pickleball?
For years, a let serve was when the serve hit the top of the net but still landed on the opponent’s side.
If the serve hit the net, play would be stopped. But this where it gets interesting: the server would not lose the rally. Instead, a service let would be called, and the serving player would get another chance to serve.
But a few years ago, the let rule was changed by the USA Pickleball Association.
Is there a let serve in pickleball in 2024? Pickleball Let Serve Rule Change
There is no longer a let serve rule in pickleball in 2024.
In January 2021, the USA Pickleball Rules Committee made significant changes regarding the service let rule by removing it completely from the rules of pickleball.
It was eliminated. Erased. Killed.
But that’s where the confusion comes in: what happens now?
What if I hit serve today and it glances off the net but stays in play?
Can You Hit the Net On a Serve in Pickleball?
Yes, your serve can hit the net in pickleball, but there’s a catch.
For the net-grazing serve to be legal, it must meet certain conditions.
Let’s walk through four questions that will help you learn if a net serve is playable:
1. Did the ball still land on the proper side of the net?
Yes, the ball hit the net, but where did it land?
If it lands back on the serving side, it is a fault and the rally is over.
If it lands on the opposing side, the ball could be playable–if a few other rules are met.
2. Did the ball clear the kitchen (or non-volley zone)?
So you hit a serve, and it hit the net, and it fell into your opponent’s court.
You’re good, right?
No so fast.
Even if the ball gets to the correct side of the net, it must clear the non-volley line and the non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) to be a legal serve.
If the ball lands in the kitchen or on the kitchen line, it is a rule violation.
In a recreational game, the closest player should make line calls if the ball hits part of the line.
BEGINNER TIP: The kitchen (also known as the non-volley zone) is a 7-foot section of the playing surface on both sides of the net. It’s marked off by the non-volley zone line. A player cannot hit the ball out of the air while standing in the kitchen. Even if a player hits a volley and the player’s momentum or forward motion takes them into the non-volley zone, it is illegal.
3. Did the ball land in bounds?
Alright, now we’re in business.
Your serve hit the net and landed on the correct side and it wasn’t in the kitchen.
I’m feeling good about this one.
But you look up and you see the ball landed out of bounds.
Son of a pickleball!
It’s out.
4. Did the ball land in the correct service court?
Okay, we’ve made it this far.
I like our chances.
The ball hit the net but cleared the kitchen and landed in a service box on the correct side of the court.
But was it the right service box?
There are two service courts on each side of the net, and the serve must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
Let’s look at a scenario:
Imagine your partner is serving from the right-hand court. As she hits her serve attempt, the ball should travel diagonally from the right side of the court into the service box on the left side of the other team’s court.
This is the proper service court.
If a serve meets all of these criteria, it’s a good serve.
What should you do if the ball hits the net and lands in the correct service box?
Okay, quick test…
Your opponent lines up behind the baseline to prepare for their next serve. They swing and the ball flies off the player’s paddle toward you, but as it crosses center, the serve hits the net. The ball lands outside of the kitchen, in-bounds, and in your service box, you should:
A. Call a let serve
B. Stare at your partner hopelessly
C. Stand still and hope the whole thing blows over
D. Hit the ball back to the serving team
If we’ve learned anything so far, you know that the answer is D.
The serve is legal and live, and if you are on the receiving team, you should hit the service return back to the opposing player.
Why was the let rule in pickleball removed?
With each new year, the USA Pickleball Association changes the official rules–introducing new rule changes or a new provisional rule.
When they changed the official rulebook in 2021, the USAPA eliminated the let serve altogether.
According to the USA Pickleball Rules Committee, the let rule change would:
- Help reduce cheating from false “let serve” calls during a game
- Reduce Conflict between pickleball players over disputed calls. Let serves have been a point of contention between opposing teams on local courts and in tournament play.
- Speed up games because there are no re-serves. The ball is either “in” or “out.”
In my pickleball community, the rule change has been received positively.
Techniques When The Serve Hits The Net
It’s not easy to return a serve that hits the net.
As the pickleball ball grazes the net, it can ricochet in an odd direction or move with new spin.
So you may be wondering: how can you best prepare to return a serve off the net?
Here are 7 fundamentals that will help you return these types of shot:
Anticipate the bounce
As you track the ball off the net, you should be able to predict where the ball will bounce in the court and if there is spin.
Prepare for the shot you are going to have to hit.
Use your split-step
A split-step is a small jump hop that gets you into athletic position.
With a split-step, you will be ready to hit the ball from a balanced stance or you will better be able to move to the point of contact if you have to bend or lean for it.
Keep your swing compact
You don’t need to rip this return. You simply need to get it back across court and keep the play alive.
Use a short backswing and be quick to the ball with your paddle hand. If the ball is below waist level, hit it with an upward arc to make sure you get it over the net.
Follow the ball to paddle contact
You have to lock in. A ball that hits the net could be spinning in a strange direction.
Follow it with your eyes all the way until it hits part of the paddle. This will give you a chance to adapt and adjust as needed.
Get creative
In football, Kansas City Chief quarterback Patrick Mahomes is well-known for going off script to make a play–sometimes even flipping the ball with his non-dominant hand.
When the ball hits the net, don’t be afraid to get creative.
Freestyle a little bit.
Use your non-dominant hand to reach the shot. Flick your wrist to reach the ball that’s a little too far away (when your wrist joint bends you can a few more inches of extension).
You will have to read the situation and react. Do whatever you need to return it.
Hit to the center
You are not trying to win the point on this return.
If the serve hits the net, don’t try to be a hero and hit it down the sideline on the return. Hit it toward the middle and keep it in play.
Hit it deep (most of the time)
If you can, you should return the serve to a deep part of the court.
Your opponent will stay back because they have to let your return bounce (following the double bounce rule) and a deep return will keep them from approaching the kitchen.
You’ll be able to get to the kitchen first and gain the volley advantage.
But this isn’t a hard fast rule.
If your opponent stays way back in the court area, don’t be afraid to hit a dink shot into their kitchen to score points.
BEGINNER TIP: The double-bounce rule (aka two-bounce rule) is a rule that’s unique to pickleball. When a rally starts, the serve must bounce once before the receiving team can hit their first shot. They cannot hit it out of the air. Once the receiving team lets the ball bounce and then returns it, this shot must also bounce once before the serving team can return. In other words, the first two shots of a rally must bounce once before they are hit. Serve, bounce, return, bounce. After this, anybody can volley the ball.
FAQs: The Let in Pickleball
What is a let in pickleball rules?
There is no longer a let in the pickleball rules.
The let rule used to state:
If a serve bounces off the net and lands in the correct service box, the play is called dead, and the first server re-serves.
In 2021, the USAPA removed the let rule.
Now, if the serve hits the top of the net and lands in the legal box, the rally continues and the receiving team should return the ball.
If you want a list of the pickleball rules to take with you to the court, we have a great guide that also can be printed to put in your bag. Check out our post called Printable Pickleball Rules.
How many lets are allowed in pickleball?
You don’t need let serves in pickleball anymore.
The serve is either in-play or it is out of play.
If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box (previously called a let serve), it is playable.
What if the pickleball hits the net post during a serve?
If the ball hits the net post during a serve, the ball is out of bounds.
A fault should be called.
The net posts–as well as wheels or legs–are considered a permanent object and not part of the pickleball court.
The posts are positioned outside of the playing court so they are not in the field of play.
If the ball makes contact with any part of the post frame, it is out and the rally is over.
What if the serve touches a player’s body or player’s clothing?
If the serve, or any pickleball shot, touches a player’s body or clothing, it is a fault.
Let’s imagine you hit a serve and it hits off the top of the net and hits a player on the opposing team.
Who wins the rally?
Are you in trouble for hitting your opponent with the ball? Is someone going to give you twenty lashings and kick you off the court?
Nope. The only lashing is the one the ball gave your opponent.
If a player is in the path of the ball, they are responsible for moving quickly enough to avoid the shot and then return it.
So if you hit a serve and it bounces off the net and hits a part of a player, it is a dead ball. Play stops.
And you win the rally.
What if a shot (other than the serve) hits the net?
Any shot can hit the net.
If that shot still lands on the side of the opposing team, it is a live ball. You should return it.
But if the shot hits the net and lands back on your side or out of bounds, it is a fault.
Hitting a Legal Serve in Pickleball
By this point, you’re a pro on the let serve and you know: a serve that hits the net is legal.
But what about the rest of the serving process?
There are about 20 other things that can make your serve illegal.
- Did you keep your feet behind the baseline?
- Did you hit a drop serve or hit the ball from the server’s release?
- Did you hit it with an underhand stroke, keeping the highest point of the paddle head below the navel level of the server’s waist?
And there is the serving sequence and rotation.
At the beginning of each new game, the two teams can hold a coin toss to see who serves first. They call the score (serving team results and receiving team results…at this point 0-0). And they hit the first serve of the first game.
But when does the second server hit? And who should serve during the first service sequence of each new game?
You’re probably feeling overwhelmed right now.
We get it: pickleball rules can be confusing, especially for new players.
We have a great guide that covers the serving rules more in-depth called What Is a Legal Serve in Pickleball?
In the post, we cover the basic rules, serving rotations, and more.
You’ll be acing serves before you know it.
And if you want to learn more about how to take your pickleball game to the next level, check out our article on How To Play Pickleball Better.