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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pb-drop-serve-any-bounces

On a drop serve, how many times may the ball bounce before you hit it?

As many times as you like. There is no limit.

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  1. Exactly once
  2. No more than twice
  3. There is no limit ✔

Why: The rules put no limit on how many times the dropped ball bounces before the serve. There is also no rule about where it bounces.

Huh, didn't know that: The ball may bounce anywhere on the playing surface before a drop serve.

The dad joke
My drop serve bounced five times. It was just warming up.
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References

Answer: There is no limit. The rules put no limit on how many times the dropped ball bounces before the serve. There is also no rule about where it bounces.

  1. 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook usapickleball.org/docs/rules/USAP-Official-Rulebook.pdf
    there is no restriction on how many times the ball can bounce
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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