To serve in padel, the ball must first bounce on the ground, be struck at waist height or below, travel into the opposite diagonal service box and be hit while the server keeps at least one foot on the ground. The server starts on the right at the beginning of a game, then alternates sides after every point.
It looks like one of the simplest shots in the sport, yet it is also one of the most common sources of faults for beginners. A padel serve is not a slowed-down tennis serve: it is a regulated way to start the rally rather than a shot designed to win the point outright.
The international rules set out several clear markers. The server must let the ball bounce before striking it, stay in the correct service area, serve diagonally and send the ball into the opponent’s receiving box. The lines of that box count as good, but a small mistake in position, strike height or direction can turn the serve into a fault.
The correct position before serving
The first key to understanding how to serve in padel is positioning. The server stands behind the service line, between the centre line and the side glass. At the start of a game, the first serve is played from the right side, then the server alternates sides on every point: right, left, right, and so on.
Before contact, the feet must not touch the service line or step into the receiving area on the server’s own side. The player must keep at least one foot on the ground when striking the ball. That means no jumping, running or clear forward movement during the serve. Small foot adjustments are accepted if they do not change the initial stance.
The action: bounce, low strike and diagonal target
The serve must be played after the ball has bounced on the ground. The strike has to be made at waist height or below, usually with an underarm or slightly forward motion. That is why the padel serve is often described as an underhand serve.
The ball must then cross the net and bounce in the opposite diagonal service box. If it lands outside the box, hits an opponent’s wall directly before bouncing, or touches the opponent’s fence before the second bounce, the serve is a fault.
As in tennis, the server has two attempts. A first fault does not end the point, but two consecutive service faults immediately give the point to the receiving team.
The most common service faults
The most frequent mistake is striking the ball too high. Many players lift the ball above waist height to generate more speed, but that makes the serve illegal. Another common error is forgetting the diagonal and aiming too straight, especially when trying to target the receiver’s backhand.
The bounce also matters. The ball must be controlled before the strike, in the correct area, without exceeding the limits set by the rules. Finally, a serve that touches the net can remain in play only if it then lands correctly in the opponent’s service box and meets the conditions for a let.
FAQ: how to serve in padel
How should you serve in padel?
You must serve after a bounce, underhand, striking the ball at waist height or below toward the opposite diagonal service box.
Which side do you serve from in padel?
The first point of a game is served from the right side. The server then alternates: left side on the next point, then right again, and so on.
How many serves do you get in padel?
The server gets two attempts. If the first serve is a fault, a second serve is allowed. If the second serve is also a fault, the point is lost.
Is the padel serve always underhand?
Yes. The serve must be hit after a bounce and at waist height or below. A serve struck above waist height is not valid.
