USA Pickleball is the keeper of the rules of pickleball, and has taken strides to be more transparent in the rule-making process in recent years. This includes updates to the rules process that can be found online here, as well as providing opportunities for member input and comment. The next deadline in the 2023 rules-making process is August 30th, in which USA Pickleball will share the Rules Committee’s proposed rule changes.
One notable rule for 2023 that many players have been keeping an eye on is whether to permit or prohibit the one-handed spin serve on the pickleball court. There are vocal proponents and opponents on both sides. Last year, USA Pickleball only went so far as to ban the two-handed serve (or one-hand and one-paddle serve), but left the one-handed serve intact. Some pickleball organizations—notably, the PPA Tour—have already banned the one-handed spin serve. Will USA Pickleball join the PPA Tour?
Regardless of what the Rules Committee decides, there are still two more hurdles to cross for the final proposed 2023 rule change: (1) the USA Pickleball Board of Directors (which historically largely vote in line with the Rules Committee); and (2) a 30-day period for the public to get familiar with the rule and/or make comments (which may not be enough to change the final vote of the Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors).
Where do you stand on the one-handed spin serve? Should it stay or should it go?
For a deeper breakdown on all of the rules of pickleball, check out Pickler’s Ultimate Guide to the Rules of Pickleball.
Have you had an interesting rules issue on the pickleball court? Send it to us at stacie@thepickler.com, so we can share with the rest of the pickleball community in a future newsletter.
