If you’re new to pickleball, you may come across the term “let” and wonder what it means. In many racket sports, a let refers to a serve that touches the net but still lands in the correct area.
However, pickleball rules around lets have changed in recent years, which can be confusing for beginners.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a let in pickleball is and how the rules work today.
What Is a Let in Pickleball?
A let in pickleball traditionally referred to a serve that touched the net but still landed in the correct service area.
In the past, if this happened, the serve would be replayed without penalty. This was similar to how lets are handled in tennis.
Do Lets Still Exist in Pickleball?
Modern pickleball rules no longer recognise lets on serves.
If a serve touches the net and still lands in the correct service box, the ball remains in play. The rally continues as normal.
If the serve hits the net and does not land in the correct area, it is considered a fault.
Why the Let Rule Changed
The rule change was introduced to simplify the game and reduce interruptions during play.
By removing lets, rallies can continue without stopping and replaying serves. This helps make pickleball faster and easier for beginners to understand.
Let vs Fault in Pickleball
It’s important for beginners to understand the difference between a let and a fault.
A let (under older rules) resulted in the serve being replayed, while a fault ends the rally or results in a loss of serve.
Under current rules, serves that hit the net are simply played as normal if they land correctly, or counted as faults if they do not.
Conclusion
A let in pickleball used to describe a serve that touched the net but landed correctly. However, modern pickleball rules no longer include lets.
Today, if the ball hits the net on a serve and lands in the correct area, play continues. Understanding this rule helps beginners follow the game more easily.