I was a small boy when I started learning pickleball from my mother and siblings. I was curious and excited to learn its tricks and different serving strategies. One fine day, I was playing this game with my brother. I hit a serve so quickly that the ball touched the net and landed in the right side of his court. He started shouting ‘Hey Jeff! It’s a Let!’  

As a beginner, I couldn’t understand what and why he was saying that. Later on, when he explained this serve, I was flattered by the diversity of this game! Now, rules have changed very much for this serve, and as professional picklers, we must adhere to updates and transformations of this game.  If you are also a beginner and want to know about these serves, you have landed on the right page!

 I’ll discuss its origin, practical way of doing it, and what changes happened in the last few years. Buckle up and get ready to stroll around the facts of this amazing serve!

What is a ‘let’ serve?

When a ball touches the net and lands on the right side service area of your opponent’s court, it is called a ‘Let’.  During Let server had to redo the serve again. This serve was applicable in the initial days of this game. It is no longer valid in the matches as per the USAPA 2024 rulebook. However, in PPA tournaments, if a player hits this serve, he has to reattempt the serve. 

According to the USAPA 2024 rules, players can continue to play without gaining a point if they perform this serve. It is not considered a fault. You have to keep the game on without stopping if they attempt this serve. For a more practical explanation, you can watch the following video:

How was it derived?

This serve was not originally discovered in this game. It was adopted from Tennis. In tennis, if a serve touches the net and lands on the opposite court, it is considered a ‘let’ and the serving player serves the ball again.

I researched this serve in more detail, I found that in old English, the word ‘Laetan’ or Dutch ‘Laten’ means to hinder or obstruct something. This meaning relates to our term very much! 

I came across a theory for this serve that- some picklers used to say ‘let it play’ whenever the ball touched the net to continue the game. It got short-phrased to the word ‘Let’. 

The difference of ‘lets’ between tennis and pickleball:

Even though my brother introduced me to these serves, I asked him to play a tennis match with me to understand the difference. Both games have remarkably different modes of play. But, they share one stage for these services. This serve is not considered a fault and players do not gain any points for this serve. 

I experienced one major difference while playing both games. In Tennis, if the serving player performs this serve, he has to re-play that shot again.  In pickleball, the players continue to play the game without interrupting the rally even if they perform this serve.

Changes in ‘let’ rule:

In the old days, these serves were legal and applicable to the game. As the competition evolved and everyone tried to ace the fast rallies, the effect of this serve started to become lesser. Eventually, it was removed from valid serve lists from the USAPA rulebook in 2021. 

These serves were valid till 2020. In 2021, two main changes occurred in pickleball rules. One was the addition of ‘drop serves’ and another was the ‘removal of let serve’. The main reasons behind the removal of these serves were:

1. It made officiating easier for referees. As you see, pro players rarely serve the ball that touches the net and lands in the opponent’s service court. But, chances of performing such servers are higher in learning and beginner players.Practice is more needed in such cases rather than considering it a let. After the removal of rules for this serve, referees can easily officiate the match even if the player performs this serve.
2. It resulted in fewer conflicts among players. Previously, players used to quarrel over considering a let serve. But, after its removal, there is no need to pay attention and judge who has served wrongly for a let serve. 

If you want to explore PPA rules for these serves, you can go through the PPA 2024 Handbook.

Conclusion:

Playing this game adhering to rules is so much fun. Facing the outcomes of a let is pickleball was challenging till 2021. After 2021, recent rules do not consider this serve. I feel, whether there is a let or not in the game, you must stick to the basics and perform honestly. What are your opinions about this serve? Do let me know in the comments. 

Frequenty Asked Questions

1. Is a Let serve legal in pickleball?
   No. There are no let serves in this game according to USAPA 2024 rules. Players can continue the game without disturbing it.

2. Do people still call out a Let to serve in pickleball?
   No. After its removal from the USAPA rulebook in 2021, this serve is invalid to call out loudly. It is now considered a general serve. 

3. Why was it beneficial to remove the Let from pickleball?
   The removal of this serve made the game easy for referees and newbies. Referees can focus on other minute details of the running game instead of a let. Newbies do not have to focus on let and can practice performing competitive serves more. 

4. Do I get points for performing a let serve?
   No. You do not get any points for this serve as it is not considered a fault. 

5. Does the PPA allow let serves?
   

   Yes. PPA has their rules for this serve and allow it in their official matches.