There really is no better feeling than starting to master your serve, and understanding the padel serve rules is the first step towards achieving this goal.
Serves are technical and strategic elements of padel so fully understanding them is an essential component to bettering your game.
The good news is that the padel serve rules are simple to understand and quick to master!
Having a consistent and effective serve can help establish control in a close game and provide players with some confidence in close matches.
Today we will cover the serve rules in padel so you can better understand this crucial aspect of the game.
Before serving your first ball, master the basics with our Comprehensive Padel Guide for Beginners.
Basics of Padel Serve Rules
The padel tennis serve is simple to grasp because you must serve with an underarm stroke. You get two attempts at serving per point.
Underhand serves are far more accessible for newcomers and they don’t place as much strain on your muscles and joints.
You’ll find yourself quite comfortable with serving after a few go’s!
How Do You Serve in Padel?
Each player has a service box and service line. The ball must bounce once behind your service line before hitting it for both the first serve and second serve.
Serve at waist height or below, guiding the ball with a fluid and swift motion.
Using your padel racket after the ball has bounced, serve from the right-hand side of the court, hitting the ball diagonally across the court, over the net, and into the opposing receiver’s service box.
Both feet must remain behind the service line with at least one foot in contact with the ground. Once the ball lands and bounces in the field of play in the opponent’s court, a rally can begin! This is when padel gets really exciting!
Serves should then be moved to the left of the court for the next point, and then alternate for the rest of your service game.
Understanding a Valid Serve - What is a Legal Padel Serve?
If the ball bounces in the service box of the opposing player diagonally from you and hits the side wall or back wall, it’s a valid serve and must be played by the opposing player.
However, if the ball bounces in the service box and then hits the wire fencing, it is considered a fault.
Similarly, if the ball hits the net, lands in the service box and then hits the wire fencing, that’s also a fault. A double fault will occur if you miss two back-to-back serves.
If the ball hits the net, bounces in the service box and then against the side or back wall, it’s a let and another serve should be taken.
Padel Serve - Types, Tips and Tricks
One of the most common padel serve tips more advanced players give is that you should serve to get to the net position since this is where 90% of all padel points are won.
There are two common types of serving techniques in Padel.
Straight Serve
A great starting serve for newcomers or a reliable safety serve for a second serve. Straight serves are played with a controlled and steady speed and momentum, targeted directly across the net to the opponent’s court service box.
Short Serve
This serve is played to lessen the bounce off the side or back walls, making it more difficult to return for opponents. It is usually played over the side wall where more errors occur or over the “T” of the court, typically forcing a backhand stroke from opponents.
Padel Serve Rules FAQs
Can you serve like tennis in padel?
Unlike tennis, you are not allowed to perform an overhead serve in padel tennis. Padel serve rules specify that serves must be played with an underhand stroke at or below waist level.
How can I improve my padel tennis serve?
As with any sport, practice does make perfect with padel. There is a vast array of different types of padel serves, learning and refining the execution of these will help you improve your padel tennis serve.
How do you decide who serves in padel?
To start a padel match, players typically opt for a coin toss or racket spin to see who decides the starting serve and court position.
Where do you stand to serve in padel?
Players should stand behind their serving line since the ball must be bounced behind this line before being played. Both feet must remain behind the line with at least one foot in contact with the ground.
Wrapping Up Our Padel Serve Rules Guide
I hope we’ve helped you better understand the serve rules in padel so you can take your game to the next level!
And make sure you have the right gear by checking our Padel Tennis Equipment Guide.
As you can tell, padel serve rules are simple enough to grasp for anyone so you’ll be getting the hang of them in no time!
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