Padel serve rules

A legal padel serve: stand behind the service line, bounce the ball behind it, and hit it at or below waist height with at least one foot on the ground, diagonally into the opponent's service box. You get two serves. After bouncing in the box the ball may hit the glass, but not the mesh fence.

How to serve, step by step

1. Stand in the right place. Behind the service line, between the imaginary extension of the centre line and the side wall, without touching either line with your feet.
2. Bounce first. Drop the ball and let it bounce on the ground behind the service line, in your serving area.
3. Hit at or below the waist. Strike the ball at or below waist height, with at least one foot touching the ground.
4. Go diagonal. The ball must cross the net and bounce inside the receiver's service box diagonally opposite you. Lines are good.
5. Alternate sides. Each game starts with a serve from the right side. After each point, switch to the other side.

Which side do you serve from first?

Always the right side of your half at the start of every game, aiming for the box diagonally across. Then left, then right, alternating every point.

What is a serve fault?

The serve is a fault if:

• you break any of the positioning, bounce or waist-height rules above
• you swing and miss
• the ball bounces outside the receiver's service box
• the ball hits you, your partner or anything you are wearing or carrying
• the ball bounces in the box and then hits the metallic fence before a second bounce
• the ball bounces in the box and flies straight out through a court door on a court without out-of-court play

Two faults in a row lose the point.

Can the serve hit the glass?

Yes. After the serve bounces correctly in the box it can hit the side or back glass and stays in play. The receiver must return it before it bounces a second time. Only the mesh fence makes it a fault.

What is a let on the serve?

The serve is replayed if:

• it clips the net or a post and then lands in the correct box (and does not touch the fence before the second bounce)
• it clips the net and then hits a player
• the receiver was not ready

A let on the first serve means you still have two serves. A let on the second serve means you replay just the second serve.

Rules for the receiver

• Let the serve bounce. Then return it before it bounces again.
• If the serve hits you or your racket before it bounces, the point goes to the server.
• Within a set, each receiver stays on the same side for receiving. Your team picks who receives on which side in the first game of each set.
• You cannot claim you were not ready after trying to return the serve.

Who serves when?

The team that serves first decides which player starts. Service then rotates between the four players game by game, in a fixed order for the whole set. You can change the order at the start of a new set.

Serving tips for beginners

• Consistency beats power. A deep, steady serve towards the receiver's backhand or into the glass is plenty.
• Serve and move. Step forward towards the net after serving. Your partner should already be at the net.
• Use the side glass. A serve that bounces near the side wall and comes off the glass is awkward to return.