{"version":"2.6","id":"legal-serve","question":"What makes a serve legal in pickleball?","answer":"Underhand stroke, contact below the waist, and upward arc.","answer_detail":"The serve must be hit underhand. Arm motion must be in an upward arc, and contact with the ball must be below the server's waist level. Drop serves are also legal under USA Pickleball rules.","related_ids":["two-bounce-rule"],"last_verified":"2026-05-31","authority":"https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com","url":"https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com/knowledge/legal-serve","markdown_url":"https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com/api/knowledge/legal-serve?format=md"}