发球
匹克球发球是一记下手挥拍，斜线打入对方的发球区，触球点在腰部以下，且拍面向上运动呈弧线。根据两次弹地规则，发球方不能跟随发球上网，因此深度和落点——而不是速度——才是重要的品质。
合法性取决于三个要求：球拍在腰部以下触球，手臂在触球时呈向上弧线运动，双脚留在底线之后且不触碰底线。球必须越过发球方一侧的厨房区、越过球网，落在对侧的斜线发球区内。落在厨房线上的球算出界；禁区线不属于发球区的一部分。落在落地一侧的任何底线或边线上则算界内。
深度是发球中最重要的单一品质。由于发球方必须让回球先弹地才能截击，发球不能直接作为一件武器——它是一记铺垫性的击球。一记落在发球区最后三分之一的球，会把接球方逼向深处，限制其打出进攻性回球的能力，给发球组合更多时间判读来球、执行第三球放小球或抽击。任何落在厨房区附近的短球，都会给接球方从底线内进攻的时间，在发球方能够建立站位之前压缩这一分。
方向和旋转增加了一层次要的战略。宽向反手的发球，会把右打对手拉离场地到左侧，要么迫使一次横跨身体的回球，要么为发球方的第三球打开直线角度。瞄准中线——即“T点”——能减少对手打出锐利回球的可用角度。上旋发球在弹地后保持低平，更难被有力抽击；高弧线的“高吊”发球能打乱接球方的时机，但必须打得够深才能避免停起来。在更高水平，球员还会使用合法的落地版本——先让球弹地，再在弹地后触球——这去除了向上弧线的规则，允许更多的上旋或切旋动作。
Tips by skill level
Focus on depth before spin or placement. A ball that reliably finds the back third of the box is worth more than a tricky spinning one that frequently lands short. Get the deep, legal version reliable first, then add variation.
Use direction to set up your third shot. Going wide to the backhand usually produces a cross-court return to your forehand, setting up a more comfortable third-shot drop angle. Going at the body jams the returner and often produces a weaker, shorter return you can drive rather than drop.
Example
发球方把球深深地抽向接球方的反手角落，随后留在原地，等回球弹地后再执行第三球。
Why it matters
稳定的深度能把接球方牢牢钉在底线，为在稳固的站位下打第三球争取时间。任何短球都会在这一分真正开始之前，就给接球方带来速度上的优势。
How it shows up on video
Review the contact point relative to the waist. The paddle should visibly contact the ball below the hip line. The arm should be moving upward at contact, not level or downward. Check where the ball lands relative to the kitchen and baseline. The last quarter of the box is highly effective, mid-box is neutral, and anything near the kitchen is a structural disadvantage.
Common mistakes
- Landing short — a ball in the middle third of the box lets the returner step in and attack the third shot with pace.
- Making contact at or above waist height, which is a fault if the opponent calls it.
- Swinging downward at contact rather than using an upward arc — creates topspin that can land the ball short or in the net.
- Standing on or ahead of the baseline — the feet must stay behind it; stepping on the line is a foot fault.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab estimates your swing path, which shows whether the paddle moves upward through contact, but it does not measure contact height against your waist. It does not track where the ball lands, so check your depth against the kitchen and baseline on your video.
Open Pickleball in Motion LabFrequently asked questions
What is the drop version, and is it legal?
It means dropping the ball and striking it after the bounce, rather than tossing and hitting in the air. It is legal in pickleball. Crucially, it is exempt from the upward-arc and below-waist requirements — you can hit it with any swing motion after the bounce.
Is a serve that hits the net a let?
There are no service lets under current USA Pickleball rules. A serve that touches the net and lands in the correct service box is in play. If it touches the net and lands in the kitchen or out, it is a fault.
Can I spin the ball in my hand first?
No. Spinning the ball with your hand or fingers as you release it is not allowed on any serve. Spin made with the paddle at contact is legal. A volley serve must also meet the underhand rules: contact below the waist and an upward arc.
Is a serve that lands on the kitchen line in or out?
Out. The kitchen line is part of the kitchen, so a serve that touches it is a fault. A serve that lands on the sideline, centerline or baseline of the correct service court is in.
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