This document was released by the USA Pickleball governing body. It is a quick list of rule changes for 2021 that take effect starting in January 2021. The most notable change to the rules is on the serve. The let serve has been eliminated so the ball is either IN, OUT or a FAULT. There is no stop in play or replay of the serve if the ball contact the net. The other big change to the serve is the addition of the DROP SERVE (this is a provisional rule meaning it is not official and will be in play for this year so it can be evaluated).
Removal of The LET Serve
Removing the Let call from the serve will make the game a little faster as well as eliminate a gray area in the current game. While most Let serves are noticeable some are not and the rule itself was a judgment call by the returning player. In 2021 there will no longer be a Let call so the regardless of whether or not the ball contacts the net the ball is either IN play or NOT. This will undoubtable cause a few more aces during service and will mean the return of server will have to be ready for anything.
Addition of the Drop Serve
The pickleball rule change with the most impact is the addition of the Drop Serve. You can still use the normal serve rules from last year however now you may DROP the ball before striking it. Once the ball bounces you NO longer have to follow the old rules and you may strike the ball any way you want, forehand OR backhand. There is a lot that goes into this rule so checkout the video below for a more in-depth explanation.
Pickleball Rule Change Video
This is a great video I found that not only explains the changes but demonstrates serve techniques using the new drop serve
There are 3 documents release this year regarding pickleball rule changes: Official Rules Book, The Alternate Rules Book and the Rules Change document. This post focuses on the Rules Change document but we will post links to the official pickleball rule book and the alternate rules book in other posts. Click on the link below to view the full pdf of the rule changes. CLICK HERE to view our post on Pickleball Rules