Foot Fault (Pickleball)

When serving, both feet must be behind the baseline and within the imaginary extensions of the sideline and center line. This means essentially, standing in the same width lane as the service court being served into, just behind the end line. A foot fault occurs if either foot touches the baseline, touches the court surface in front of it. Another option is lands outside those side boundaries at the exact moment of contact with the ball. The fault is judged only at contact, not during the rest of the service motion. This means a player can start with their feet wherever they like as they prepare, load. Another option is step, as long as both feet are legally positioned the instant the paddle strikes the ball. This trips up players who take a rhythmic step or hop into the serve and misjudge exactly where their landing foot is at contact. Because foot position at contact is subtle and happens quickly. Foot faults are more often self-noticed or called by an attentive opponent than by a referee at the recreational level. Disputed calls are common when a server's toe is right on the line.