Pickleball Illegal Shots You Might Be Making Without Realizing

Pickleball is a fun sport, but it’s important to know what shots are allowed and which ones aren’t. You might be surprised to learn that some shots you thought were illegal are actually fair game.

The main rule to remember is that you can’t hit the ball before it bounces on your side of the court, unless you’re volleying from outside the non-volley zone (kitchen). This means no slamming the ball down right at the net without letting it bounce first.

Did you know you can hit the ball around the net post? It’s called an ATP shot and it’s totally legal. You can even hit the ball below the top of the net as long as it goes around the post. Pretty cool, right? Just don’t hit the post itself – that’s a no-no.

Basics of Pickleball Shots

Pickleball involves several key shots that form the foundation of the game. Each shot serves a specific purpose and requires different techniques to execute effectively.

Understanding the Serve

The serve kicks off every point in pickleball. You must hit the ball diagonally across the court, making sure it clears the non-volley zone (kitchen).

To serve correctly:

• Stand behind the baseline
• Hit the ball underhand
• Strike it below your waist
• Aim for the opponent’s service court

A good serve can set you up for success. Try to vary your serves to keep opponents guessing. You might use a deep serve to push your opponents back or a short serve to draw them forward.

Remember, you only get one attempt per serve. Double faults result in losing the serve.

The Significance of Groundstrokes

Groundstrokes are shots you make after the ball bounces. They’re crucial for maintaining control during rallies.

Key groundstrokes include:

• Forehand: Hit with the front of your paddle
• Backhand: Hit with the back of your paddle
• Third shot drop: A soft shot to get to the net

Practice your third shot drops to improve your transition game. They help you move from the baseline to the net smoothly.

Focus on consistency and placement with your groundstrokes. Aim for depth to keep your opponents back.

The Art of the Dink

Dinking is a soft shot that lands in the kitchen. It’s a key strategy for controlling the net.

Tips for effective dinking:

• Keep your paddle up and ready
• Use a soft touch
• Aim for your opponent’s feet
• Mix up your angles and pace

Dinks are all about patience and control. They force your opponents to hit up, giving you a chance to attack.

Practice dinking with a partner to improve your touch and accuracy. It’s a vital skill for winning points at the net.

Finishing with Slams

Slams are powerful overhead shots used to end points. They’re your chance to be aggressive and put the ball away.

When going for a slam:

• Position yourself under the ball
• Use a full arm swing
• Aim for open court space
• Follow through completely

Be careful not to overrely on power. Slams are effective but can lead to errors if used too often.

Mix up your shots to keep opponents off balance. A well-timed slam can be a game-changer.

Defensive Shots and Lobs

Defensive shots help you stay in points when under pressure. Lobs are high shots that give you time to reset.

When playing defense:

• Stay low and ready
• Keep your paddle in front of you
• Focus on getting the ball back in play

Lobs can be effective when opponents crowd the net. Hit them high and deep to push your opponents back.

Be careful with drop volleys, as they’re risky and have a low success rate. Instead, prioritize getting the ball back over the net consistently.

Practice your defensive shots to improve your ability to handle tough situations on the court.

Common Illegal Shots in Pickleball

Pickleball has rules about shots you can’t make. Knowing these helps you avoid penalties and play better. Let’s look at three main types of illegal shots you need to watch out for.

Service Faults

When serving, you need to follow certain rules. Your serve is illegal if you:

• Hit the ball above your waist
• Use an overhand motion
• Step on or over the baseline before hitting the ball
• Let the ball bounce before hitting it

Proper serving technique is key. Keep your serving arm below your wrist when you hit the ball. Make sure both feet stay behind the baseline until after you’ve made contact.

If you serve illegally, you lose the serve. In doubles, it goes to your partner if it’s their turn. Otherwise, it goes to the other team.

Non-Volley Zone Violations

The non-volley zone, or “kitchen,” has special rules. You can’t volley the ball while in this area. A volley is hitting the ball before it bounces.

You break the rules if you:

• Step into the kitchen to hit a volley
• Touch the kitchen line while volleying
• Have momentum carry you into the kitchen after a volley

Your feet, clothes, and paddle can’t touch the kitchen during a volley. Even if you jump from outside, you can’t land in the kitchen after hitting.

If you make this mistake, you lose the rally. The other team gets the point or serve.

Double Bounce Rule

The double bounce rule is unique to pickleball. After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. This means:

• The serving team must let the return bounce
• The receiving team must let the serve bounce

You can’t volley the serve or the return of serve. If you hit the ball before it bounces on either of these shots, it’s illegal.

This rule helps make rallies last longer. It gives both teams time to get to the net. Breaking this rule means you lose the rally.

Identifying Illegal Actions

Knowing what counts as an illegal move in pickleball can help you avoid penalties and play a fair game. Let’s look at some common rule violations to watch out for on the court.

Incorrect Server Positioning

When serving, you need to be careful about where you stand. The rules say you must serve from behind the baseline and to the right of the centerline. Your feet can’t touch these lines during the serve.

You also can’t step into the court before hitting the ball. This is called a foot fault. To avoid it, keep both feet behind the baseline until after you’ve made contact with the ball.

Remember, the serve must go diagonally across the court. If you serve to the wrong side, it’s a fault. Always aim for the opposite diagonal court from where you’re standing.

Improper Paddle Contact

Illegal serves often happen because of how you hit the ball with your paddle. You must use an underhand motion when serving. This means your paddle has to be moving upward when it hits the ball.

Your wrist can’t be above the paddle head at contact. The highest point of the paddle head should be below your wrist when you hit the ball. If it’s not, you’ve made an illegal serve.

Don’t hit the ball above your waist. The rules say the contact point must be below your belly button. If you hit it higher, it’s against the rules.

Carrying or Slinging the Ball

A carry happens when you hold the ball on your paddle for too long during a shot. It should be a quick hit, not a push or a throw. If you carry the ball, it’s a fault.

Slinging is another no-no. This is when you throw the ball with your paddle instead of hitting it. It often looks like a sideways serving motion. Refs watch closely for this illegal move.

To avoid these faults, focus on making clean, quick contact with the ball. Don’t let the ball rest on your paddle or try to guide it. Just hit it and let it fly!

Consequences of Illegal Shots

Illegal shots in pickleball can have serious impacts on gameplay. You might face different penalties depending on the severity and frequency of rule violations.

Loss of Serve

When you make an illegal shot while serving, you’ll lose your serve immediately. This includes hitting volleys in the kitchen, which is a big no-no in pickleball. If you’re the serving team, the serve passes to your partner. If you’re both out of serves, it goes to the other team.

Foot faults during serves also count as illegal shots. Make sure your feet are behind the baseline when you serve. If you step on or over the line, you’ll lose your serve.

Remember, losing serves can really hurt your game. It gives your opponents more chances to score and can shift the momentum in their favor.

Point Penalties

Sometimes, illegal shots lead to point penalties. If you keep making the same mistake after warnings, the ref might award a point to your opponents.

Repeated double hits or carrying the ball can result in point penalties. These shots are tricky to spot, but refs are trained to catch them.

In some tournaments, using an illegal paddle can cost you points or even the whole match. Always check that your gear meets the rules before playing.

Point penalties can quickly turn a close game into a loss. Stay aware of the rules to avoid giving away free points.

Player Disqualifications

In extreme cases, illegal shots can get you kicked out of a game or tournament. This usually happens if you keep breaking rules on purpose or show unsportsmanlike conduct.

If you argue with the ref about illegal shot calls, you might get a warning. Keep arguing, and you could be disqualified. It’s best to stay calm and accept the ref’s decisions.

Using a paddle with an illegal surface, like rubber, can also lead to disqualification. Rough paddle surfaces are a no-go in official play.

Remember, getting disqualified means you lose all your points and prizes. It’s not worth risking your whole tournament over illegal shots.

Preventing Illegal Shots

Knowing the rules and practicing good technique can help you avoid illegal shots in pickleball. Regular drills and staying informed about rule updates are key. Having a good umpire also helps catch any mistakes.

Practice Drills and Techniques

You can try some simple drills to improve your legal shots. Focus on proper serving technique, keeping your arm moving upward and hitting below the waist.

Practice volleys outside the kitchen to avoid stepping in. Set up targets just over the net to work on soft shots without going into the non-volley zone. This helps you control your drop volleys better.

Do footwork drills to stay behind the kitchen line when hitting. Quick feet help you avoid illegal kitchen violations. Remember, it’s better to let a ball bounce than risk an illegal volley.

Knowledge of the Rules

You need to know pickleball rules well to avoid mistakes. The main ones to remember are:

• No volleys in the kitchen
• Serve diagonally and let the ball bounce before returning
• Only one bounce allowed per side
• Server must keep both feet behind the baseline

Stay updated on rule changes. USA Pickleball often tweaks rules for fairness and safety. Join a local club or follow official pickleball sites for the latest info.

If unsure about a rule during play, ask your partner or opponent. It’s better to clarify than make an illegal shot.

Umpire Intervention and Role

In official games, umpires help catch illegal shots. They watch for:

• Foot faults on serves
• Kitchen violations
• Double bounces
• Service let calls

You can ask the umpire to explain a call if you’re not sure why it was made. This helps you learn and avoid future mistakes.

In casual games without an umpire, players call their own faults. Be honest and call your own illegal shots. This keeps the game fair and fun for everyone.

Remember, good sportsmanship is key in pickleball. Admit to accidental illegal shots, even if no one else saw them.

Pickleball Rule Changes and Updates

Pickleball rules change every year to keep the game fair and fun. You need to stay up-to-date with these changes to play your best.

For 2024, there are some key updates you should know about. The rules now say “shall” instead of “may” when it comes to switching paddles before a match. This means you must change to an approved paddle if yours isn’t allowed.

Looking ahead to 2025, more changes are coming. Both players on a team will need to agree on foot faults. This is different from before when just one player could call it.

Spectator line calls are changing too. The new rule will say spectators “shall not” be asked about line calls, instead of “should not.” This makes it clearer that players can’t ask the crowd for help.