Pickleball spin serve Ban? Legal or Illegal in Rules 2024

One of the most controversial aspects of pickleball is the spin serve, which is a type of serve that involves applying spin to the ball before or after hitting it with the paddle. The spin serve can create unpredictable bounces and trajectories, making it difficult for the receiver to return the ball.

In 2023, USA Pickleball, the governing body of the sport in the United States, has decided to ban the pre-spun serve, which is a form of spin serve that involves spinning the ball with the fingers or hand before striking it with the paddle. The pre-spun serve is also known as the one-handed spin serve, the finger spin serve, or the chainsaw serve.

In this article, we will explain what the pickleball spin serve ban is, why it was implemented, how it affects the game, and what players think about it. We will also answer some of the most common questions and concerns about the pickleball spin serve ban.

What is a pickleball spin serve (pre-spun) serve?

A pickleball spin serve is a serve that involves applying spin to the ball before or after hitting it with the paddle. There are different types of spin that can be applied, such as topspin, backspin, sidespin, or a combination of them. The spin can affect the speed, direction, and bounce of the ball, making it harder for the receiver to anticipate and react to the serve.

A pre-spun serve is a specific type of spin serve that involves spinning the ball with the fingers or hand before striking it with the paddle. The pre-spun serve is also known as the one-handed spin serve, the finger spin serve, or the chainsaw serve. The pre-spun serve can create a very high amount of spin, resulting in a serve that can curve, dip, or skid unpredictably.

The pre-spun serve is performed by holding the ball in one hand and spinning it with the fingers or by rotating the hand. The ball is then tossed in the air and hit with the paddle in a downward motion. The pre-spun serve can be done with either the forehand or the backhand side of the paddle.

The pre-spun serve is considered to be a very advanced and difficult technique that requires a lot of practice and skill. Only a few players in the world can execute the pre-spun serve consistently and effectively. Some of the most famous players who use the pre-spun serve are John Cincola, Jorja Johnson, and Kyle Yates.

How do pickleball rule changes which bans a pre-spun serve affect a normal pickleball game?

The pickleball rule changes that ban the pre-spun serve affect the normal pickleball game in several ways. The main effects are:

• The serve becomes less of a weapon and more of a rally starter. The serve is intended to be a fair and consistent way to begin the point, not a way to gain an unfair advantage or end the point quickly. The ban on the pre-spun serve reduces the risk of losing the point on the serve or having a frustrating and unenjoyable rally.
• The game becomes more accessible and fair for players of different skill levels. The pre-spun serve can create a huge gap between players who can and cannot do it or return it. The ban on the pre-spun serve levels the playing field and allows players to compete based on their overall skills and abilities, not just their serve.
• The game becomes more consistent and predictable. The pre-spun serve can create erratic and random bounces and trajectories, making it hard for the receiver to judge and react to the ball. The ban on the pre-spun serve eliminates the element of luck and chance and makes the game more dependent on skill and strategy.
• The game becomes more enjoyable and fun. The pre-spun serve can cause frustration and anger among players who feel that it is unfair, cheating, or unsportsmanlike. The ban on the pre-spun serve reduces the potential for arguments and conflicts and increases the respect and camaraderie among players.

How are rule changes for pickleball made?

Rule changes for pickleball are made by USA Pickleball, the governing body of the sport in the United States. USA Pickleball has a Rules Committee that is responsible for reviewing, revising, and updating the official rules of pickleball. The Rules Committee consists of experienced and knowledgeable players, referees, instructors, and administrators who represent the pickleball community.

The Rules Committee follows a process to make rule changes for pickleball. The process involves:

• Soliciting feedback and suggestions from players, referees, tournament directors, and other stakeholders through surveys, forums, emails, and other channels.
• Evaluating and analyzing the feedback and suggestions based on the impact, feasibility, and popularity of the proposed rule changes.
• Drafting and editing the rule changes based on the feedback and suggestions, as well as the best practices and standards of the sport.
• Voting and approving the rule changes by the Rules Committee members and the USA Pickleball Board of Directors.
• Publishing and announcing the rule changes to the pickleball community through the official website, social media, newsletters, and other platforms.
• Implementing and enforcing the rule changes in all sanctioned tournaments and events, as well as recommending them for recreational and non-sanctioned play.

The rule changes for pickleball are usually made once a year, with the effective date being January 1st of the following year. However, the Rules Committee may make rule changes at any time if there is an urgent or compelling need to do so.

What do players think about pickleball spin serve spun banned in 2023?

The pickleball spin serve ban has sparked a lot of debate and controversy among players. There are players who support the ban and players who oppose the ban. There are also players who have mixed or neutral opinions about the ban. Here are some of the arguments and perspectives from both sides of the issue.

Ban the pre-spun serve from amateur play! But let the pros use it!

Some players argue that the pre-spun serve should be banned from amateur play, but allowed for professional play. They claim that the pre-spun serve is too difficult and unfair for most players, especially beginners and casual players, who do not have the skill or experience to do it or return it. They say that the pre-spun serve can ruin the fun and enjoyment of the game for many players, who feel frustrated, discouraged, or cheated by it.

However, these players also acknowledge that the pre-spun serve is a legitimate and impressive technique that requires a lot of practice and skill. They say that the pre-spun serve can add excitement and variety to the game for advanced and competitive players, who can appreciate and challenge it. They suggest that the pre-spun serve should be allowed for professional play, where the players are more skilled and experienced, and where the stakes and rewards are higher.

Is it fair to ban something that only a few players can do?

Some players argue that it is not fair to ban something that only a few players can do. They claim that the pre-spun serve is a valid and legal technique that is part of the game and the rules. They say that the pre-spun serve is not cheating or unsportsmanlike, but rather a skillful and creative way to play the game. They assert that the pre-spun serve is not impossible or unbeatable, but rather a challenge and an opportunity to improve and learn.

These players also contend that banning something that only a few players can do is discriminatory and arbitrary. They say that the pre-spun serve is not the only technique that can create an advantage or disadvantage for players. They point out that there are other techniques, such as the drop serve, the bert, the erne, the lob, the smash, the dink, and the volley, that can also be difficult or unfair for some players. They question why the pre-spun serve is singled out and banned, while the other techniques are allowed and accepted.

What about banning the other aggressive moves, like the “bert” or “erne?”

Some players argue that banning the pre-spun serve is not enough, and that other aggressive moves, like the “bert” or “erne,” should also be banned. They claim that these moves are also unfair and unsportsmanlike, as they involve jumping into the non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) and hitting the ball before it bounces. They say that these moves can create a huge advantage for the player who does them, and a huge disadvantage for the player who faces them.

However, these players also recognize that these moves are legal and allowed by the rules, as long as the player does not touch the non-volley zone before or after hitting the ball. They say that these moves are also skillful and risky, as they require timing, coordination, and balance. They admit that these moves can also be fun and exciting, as they add more action and dynamism to the game.

Why Pickleball spin serve ban

Here is a table that summarizes the reasons for the ban on the pre-spun spin serve in pickleball:

Reasons for Ban	Explanation
Original purpose of the serve	The pre-spun spin serve was originally intended to simply begin play.
Difficulty of hitting and returning	Most players cannot effectively hit or return a pre-spun serve.
Extra court space needed	A spin serve requires extra court space to react to and return.
Unfair advantage	Only a few players have mastered the spin serve, giving them an unfair advantage over others.

The ban on the pre-spun spin serve was implemented to ensure fairness in the game and make it more accessible to new players.

What is the Chainsaw Pickleball Serve?

The chainsaw pickleball serve is a type of pre-spun serve that involves spinning the ball with a very fast and exaggerated hand rotation before striking it with the paddle. The chainsaw pickleball serve is also known as the one-handed flick spin serve, the finger spin serve, or the crazy spin serve. The chainsaw pickleball serve can create a very high amount of spin, resulting in a serve that can curve, dip, or skid unpredictably. The chainsaw pickleball serve is considered to be one of the most difficult and controversial techniques in pickleball.

The chainsaw pickleball serve is performed by holding the ball in one hand and rotating the hand very quickly, as if revving a chainsaw. The ball is then tossed in the air and hit with the paddle in a downward motion. The chainsaw pickleball serve can be done with either the forehand or the backhand side of the paddle.

The chainsaw pickleball serve is not a new technique, as it has been used by some players since the 1930s for various reasons, such as creating crazy bounces, surprising the opponent, or having fun. However, the chainsaw pickleball serve has gained more popularity and attention in recent years, especially after John Cincola, a professional pickleball player, demonstrated it in several tournaments and videos.

The Banning of the Chainsaw Pickleball Serve

The chainsaw pickleball serve is one of the main targets of the pickleball spin serve ban that will take effect in 2023. The ban on the pre-spun serve will prohibit players from spinning the ball with the fingers or hand before striking it with the paddle. The ban will apply to all sanctioned tournaments and events, as well as recommended for recreational and non-sanctioned play.

The ban on the chainsaw pickleball serve is based on the following reasons:

• The chainsaw pickleball serve is inconsistent with the original intent and spirit of the serve, which is to be a fair and consistent way to begin the point, not a way to gain an unfair advantage or end the point quickly.
• The chainsaw pickleball serve is too difficult and unfair for most players, especially beginners and casual players, who do not have the skill or experience to do it or return it. The chainsaw pickleball serve can ruin the fun and enjoyment of the game for many players, who feel frustrated, discouraged, or cheated by it.
• The chainsaw pickleball serve is too inconsistent and unpredictable, as it can create erratic and random bounces and trajectories, making it hard for the receiver to judge and react to the ball. The chainsaw pickleball serve can introduce the element of luck and chance, and reduce the element of skill and strategy, in the game.
• The chainsaw pickleball serve is too controversial and divisive, as it can cause arguments and conflicts among players who have different opinions and preferences about it. The chainsaw pickleball serve can damage the respect and camaraderie among players, and harm the reputation and growth of the sport.

Why was the Chainsaw Pickleball Serve controversial?

The chainsaw pickleball serve was controversial because it was a technique that polarized the pickleball community. Some players loved it, while others hated it. Some players admired it, while others despised it. Some players embraced it, while others rejected it.

The chainsaw pickleball serve was controversial because it was a technique that challenged the norms and traditions of the sport. Some players saw it as a skillful and creative way to play the game, while others saw it as a cheating and unsportsmanlike way to play the game. Some players saw it as a valid and legal technique, while others saw it as a violation and abuse of the rules.

The chainsaw pickleball serve was controversial because it was a technique that affected the balance and dynamics of the game. Some players saw it as a weapon and an advantage, while others saw it as a risk and a disadvantage. Some players saw it as a challenge and an opportunity, while others saw it as a frustration and a problem.

Can you still do the chainsaw pickleball serve in amateur play?

The answer to this question depends on the level and context of the play. According to the official pickleball rules, the chainsaw pickleball serve will be banned from all sanctioned tournaments and events, as well as recommended for recreational and non-sanctioned play, starting from January 1st, 2023. This means that players who participate in these types of play will not be allowed to do the chainsaw pickleball serve, and will be penalized or disqualified if they do.

However, the official pickleball rules also state that individual clubs, groups, or venues may adopt or modify the rules as they see fit, as long as all players agree to them before the start of the play. This means that players who play in these types of settings may still be able to do the chainsaw pickleball serve, as long as they have the consent and approval of the other players and the organizers.

However, players who do the chainsaw pickleball serve in these types of settings should be aware of the potential consequences, such as losing the respect and trust of the other players, or causing arguments and conflicts among them.

Why Did USA Pickleball Change Rule 4.A.5 – The Volley Serve which eliminates pre-spinning the ball?

USA Pickleball changed Rule 4.A.5 – The Volley Serve, which eliminates pre-spinning the ball, for the following reasons:

• To preserve the original intent and spirit of the serve, which is to be a fair and consistent way to begin the point, not a way to gain an unfair advantage or end the point quickly.
• To make the game more accessible and fairer for players of different skill levels, who may not have the ability or opportunity to learn or practice the pre-spun serve or how to return it.
• To make the game more consistent and predictable, by eliminating the erratic and random bounces and trajectories that the pre-spun serve can create, and by making the serve more dependent on skill and strategy than on luck and chance.
• To make the game more enjoyable and fun, by reducing the frustration and anger that the pre-spun serve can cause among players who feel that it is unfair, cheating, or unsportsmanlike, and by increasing the respect and camaraderie among players who share the same rules and expectations.

USA Pickleball changed Rule 4.A.5 – The Volley Serve, based on the feedback and suggestions from players, referees, tournament directors, and other stakeholders, as well as the evaluation and analysis of the impact, feasibility, and popularity of the proposed rule change. USA Pickleball also followed the best practices and standards of the sport, and considered the history and evolution of the serve and the rules.

Pickleball Spin Serve Rules 2023

The pickleball spin serve rules 2023 are the rules that will govern the serve in pickleball starting from January 1st, 2023. The main rule that will affect the serve is Rule 4.A.5 – The Volley Serve, which states:

“The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist level (waist is defined as the navel level) and with the paddle head in a downward position below the wrist (paddle head is that part of the paddle excluding the handle).

The highest point of the paddle head cannot be above any part of the line formed where the paddle handle joins the paddle head (see Figure 4.A.5). The highest point of the paddle head must be below the wrist joint. The ball must be struck before it hits the playing surface. The ball must be hit with the paddle. The ball must be held in the server’s hand or paddle hand until it is struck.

The ball may not be carried or tossed with the paddle. The server’s hand or paddle hand must be moving in a continuous motion from the start of the serve until the ball is struck. The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be moving in a downward arc when the ball is struck (no slapping, sidearm or underhand rolling motion).

The server must not strike the ball until it has dropped below the server’s navel. The server must not spin the ball with the fingers or hand before striking it with the paddle. The server must not hit the ball with a follow-through motion that causes the paddle to cross the plane of the server’s body. The server must not hit the ball with a follow-through motion that causes the paddle to cross the plane of the server’s body.”

Read more at; Official Rules

The rule change that bans the pre-spun serve is highlighted in bold. The rule change also clarifies and simplifies the definition and description of the serve, making it easier to understand and enforce.

The rule change applies to all sanctioned tournaments and events, as well as recommended for recreational and non-sanctioned play. The rule change does not affect the other types of spin that can be applied to the serve, such as topspin, backspin, sidespin, or a combination of them, as long as they are done after hitting the ball with the paddle, and not before.

Read USA Pickleball official Rulebook 2023

Players’ Opinions About Pickleball Spin Serve Banned in 2024?

As mentioned earlier, the pickleball spin serve ban has sparked a lot of debate and controversy among players. There are players who support the ban and players who oppose the ban. There are also players who have mixed or neutral opinions about the ban. Here are some of the opinions and perspectives from different players about the pickleball spin serve ban.

Supporters of the Pickleball Pre-Spun Serve Ban

Some of the players who support the pickleball pre-spun serve ban are:

• Beginners and casual players, who feel that the pre-spun serve is too difficult and unfair for them, and that it ruins the fun and enjoyment of the game for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is not something that they can learn or practice easily, and that it makes them feel frustrated, discouraged, or cheated when they face it. They say that the pre-spun serve is not part of the original game, and that it should not be allowed.
• Ex-tennis players, who feel that the pre-spun serve is inconsistent and incompatible with the spirit and rules of pickleball. They say that the pre-spun serve is a technique that belongs to table tennis, not pickleball, and that it violates the principle of the underhand serve. They say that the pre-spun serve is a way to gain an unfair advantage or end the point quickly, which goes against the idea of the serve as a rally starter. They say that the pre-spun serve is a form of cheating or unsportsmanlike conduct, and that it should be banned.
• Experienced and skilled players, who feel that the pre-spun serve is too inconsistent and unpredictable for them, and that it reduces the quality and competitiveness of the game for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is not something that they can anticipate or react to reliably, and that it introduces the element of luck and chance, and reduces the element of skill and strategy, in the game. They say that the pre-spun serve is not a challenge or an opportunity for them, but rather a frustration or a problem, and that it should be eliminated.

Opponents of the Pickleball Pre-Spun Serve Ban

Some of the players who oppose the pickleball pre-spun serve ban are:

• Advanced and competitive players, who feel that the pre-spun serve is a skillful and creative technique that adds excitement and variety to the game for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is something that they can do or return consistently and effectively, and that it enhances the quality and competitiveness of the game for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is a challenge and an opportunity for them, and that it should be allowed.
• Young and athletic players, who feel that the pre-spun serve is a valid and legal technique that is part of the game and the rules for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is not cheating or unsportsmanlike, but rather a skillful and creative way to play the game. They say that the pre-spun serve is not impossible or unbeatable, but rather a challenge and an opportunity to improve and learn. They say that the pre-spun serve is not something that only a few players can do, but rather something that anyone can do with enough practice and skill, and that it should be accepted.
• Fun and social players, who feel that the pre-spun serve is a fun and entertaining technique that adds more action and dynamism to the game for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is something that they can enjoy and appreciate, and that it makes the game more fun and enjoyable for them. They say that the pre-spun serve is not something that causes arguments or conflicts, but rather something that fosters respect and camaraderie among players, and that it should be embraced.

Pickleball Spin Serve Ban: Final Thoughts

The pickleball spin serve ban is a rule change that will affect the serve in pickleball starting from January 1st, 2023. The rule change will prohibit players from spinning the ball with the fingers or hand before striking it with the paddle, which is a technique known as the pre-spun serve, the one-handed spin serve, the finger spin serve, or the chainsaw serve.

The rule change is based on the feedback and suggestions from players, referees, tournament directors, and other stakeholders, as well as the evaluation and analysis of the impact, feasibility, and popularity of the proposed rule change. The rule change is also based on the best practices and standards of the sport, and the history and evolution of the serve and the rules.

The rule change aims to preserve the original intent and spirit of the serve, which is to be a fair and consistent way to begin the point, not a way to gain an unfair advantage or end the point quickly. The rule change also aims to make the game more accessible and fair for players of different skill levels, who may not have the ability or opportunity to learn or practice the pre-spun serve or how to return it.

The rule change also aims to make the game more consistent and predictable, by eliminating the erratic and random bounces and trajectories that the pre-spun serve can create, and by making the serve more dependent on skill and strategy than on luck and chance. The rule change also aims to make the game more enjoyable and fun, by reducing the frustration and anger that the pre-spun serve can cause among players who feel that it is unfair, cheating, or unsportsmanlike, and by increasing the respect and camaraderie among players who share the same rules and expectations.

The rule change has sparked a lot of debate and controversy among players, who have different opinions and perspectives about it. There are players who support the rule change and players who oppose the rule change. There are also players who have mixed or neutral opinions about the rule change. The rule change has also raised some questions and concerns about the implementation and enforcement of the rule change, as well as the possible effects and implications of the rule change for the future of the sport.

The rule change is not final or irreversible, as USA Pickleball may revise or update the rule change based on the feedback and suggestions from players, referees, tournament directors, and other stakeholders, as well as the evaluation and analysis of the impact, feasibility, and popularity of the rule change. The rule change is also subject to the adoption and modification of individual clubs, groups, or venues, as long as all players agree to them before the start of the play.

The rule change is a significant and important decision that will affect the serve in pickleball starting from January 1st, 2023. The rule change is a reflection and a response to the evolution and growth of the sport, as well as the diversity and preferences of the players. The rule change is a challenge and an opportunity for the pickleball community to adapt and improve, as well as to respect and enjoy the game.

You may also Like; Pickleball Serving Rules 2023

FAQ’s