During the last few months, some people have written to me regarding the correct way to serve in pickleball. They have been involved in heated arguments regarding their interpretation of the current USAPA rule concerning the underhand serve. While the spirit of this rule is quite clear, in my opinion, the actual wording allows an interpretation that does not prohibit a sidearm serve.

The people writing to me lamented this, saying they have contacted the USAPA without success regarding the need for clarification of this rule. I know the USAPA Rules Committee spent countless hours debating the last round of rule changes, but I believe this particular rule deserves another look and different (or additional) wording to clarify what constitutes a legal underhand serve and to put an end to the sidearm serves that are still seen at every tournament I’ve watched recently.

Either that or change the rule to allow sidearm serves. Personally, I don’t have a problem with them. When I’m playing with a weaker player, I serve softly and use an underhand serve. But when I want to win, I prefer a sidearm serve with more power that is harder to return.

Most of us know why the rule developed the way it did, and I’m happy to accept and follow the underhand serve rule, as long as everyone else does, too. But I also remember when the rules stated that we could step into the court on a serve. There was a reason for that rule when the game began, too. I would argue to the Rules Committee that they should look at the way the game is being played, at least in competition, and adopt a strategy for play that best suits the needs of the majority of players. I see no problem in providing a second set of rules that could be used by schools, families, etc., that does not include sidearm serves.

Trying to enforce the rule as it’s currently written is very hard, and I see no reason to leave it this way when the rule could be written clearly. Either allow sidearm serves or make them illegal, and word the rule so that there’s no room for "sneaky" interpretations and "underhanded" play.