Return of serve
The short version
The receiver’s first shot after a legal serve.
From the rulebook
Legal return After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor a second time, to return the ball to the wall on or between the lines first and make it rebound into the playing zone. A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the wall. Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server.
— One-wall · Rule 4.4 Return of Serve
How to do it
How to return a serve (one-wall)
Stand in back of the service line until the ball from the wall passes the short line. A violation is a point for the server.
One-wall 4.4(a) (rule)Strike the ball on the fly or after the first bounce, before it touches the floor a second time.
One-wall 4.4(c) (rule)Return the ball to the wall first, on or between the lines, and make it rebound into the playing zone.
One-wall 4.4(c) (rule)A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the wall. Failure to make a legal return is a point for the server.
One-wall 4.4(c) (rule)
Quick Qs
Can I hit the serve before it bounces?
Yes, once it has passed completely through the plane of the back edge of the short line. No part of your body may extend on or over that plane until you have hit the ball; a violation is a point for the server.
One-wall 4.4(b) (rule)Where must I stand in four-wall?
At least five feet behind the short line, as shown by the receiver's restraining lines, until the server hits the ball. A violation is a point for the server.
Four-wall 4.4(a) (rule)Related
Where it shows up
- One-wall · Rule 4.4 Return of Serve Legal return After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must…
- One-wall · Rule 4.6 Rally Failure to return Any of the following constitutes a failure to make a legal return during the rally: 1.) The ball bounces on the floor twice before being hit. 2.)…
- Four-wall · Rule 4.4 Return of Serve Fly return In making a fly return, or any other legal return, the receiver may hit the ball anytime after it passes completely through the p…
- Four-wall · Rule 4.6 Rally Failure to return Any of the following constitutes a failure to make a legal return during the rally: 1) The ball bounces on the floor twice before being hit. 2) A…
- Four-wall · Rule 2.1-one Courts …ssume to be out. Referee will award point for failure to return. Under Rule 4.4 Return of Serve. A. Receiving position. The receiver or receivers must stand in back of the ser…
Ref questions
The receiver contacts the serve in front of the short/receiving line.
Answer: Illegal — point for the server
Contacting the serve in front of the receiving line is a point for the server.
The receiver swings at and misses the serve; it bounces twice behind the short line.
Answer: Receiver may not — the rally is lost? No: ball stays in play once swung
By swinging the receiver elects to play it and the ball remains in play (must return before two bounces).
The receiver may not cross the receiving line until:
Answer: The served ball passes the short line / receiving line
Wait for the serve to pass the receiving line.