Padel Serve Rules: How to Serve Legally (and Win More Points)
The padel serve rules explained: underhand serve, waist height, bounce behind the line, diagonal box, lets, faults and when the ball hits the wall or fence.
The padel serve looks simple, but it's where beginners lose the most easy points. Unlike tennis, the serve is underhand and must follow a few strict rules. Here's how to serve legally, every time.
We'll also cover what happens when the serve hits the net, the glass or the fence.
The serve, step by step
- Position: stand behind the service line, between the centre line and the side wall, on the side you're serving from.
- Bounce: drop the ball and let it bounce once on the ground behind the service line.
- Contact: hit the ball at or below waist height.
- Feet: don't step on or over the service line until you've hit the ball, and don't walk or run while serving.
- Target: the ball must land in the opponents' service box diagonally opposite you. The lines are in.
You have two attempts. Two faults in a row lose the point (a double fault).
When the serve hits the walls or fence
| What happens after the serve lands in the box | Result |
|---|---|
| Ball bounces and hits the back or side glass | Good serve, play on |
| Ball bounces and hits the mesh fence | Fault |
| Ball hits the net, then lands in the box | Let, serve again |
| Ball hits the net, lands in the box, then hits the fence | Fault |
| Ball hits the wall before bouncing in the box | Fault |
Receiving the serve
- The receiver must let the serve bounce before hitting it. Volleying the serve loses the point.
- The receiver's partner can stand anywhere, but usually waits at the net.
- The receiver can play the ball after it comes off their back or side glass.
Serving order
Serves alternate from the right and left sides, starting from the right at the beginning of each game. Within a set, partners take turns serving their pair's games in the same order.
Tips for a better serve
- Aim deep, toward the receiver's back glass, so they can't attack the ball.
- Serve to the receiver's backhand or into their body.
- Follow your serve to the net with your partner.
- Consistency beats power: a missed first serve puts pressure on the second.
Lost track of who serves next? Padel Scoreboard: Score Keeper keeps track of who is serving, so you never have to ask.