Padel Faults: What Causes a Fault & Double Fault
A fault in padel is an invalid serve. Two faults on the same point result in a double fault and the point goes to the receiving pair. Knowing what triggers a fault prevents costly errors.
Key takeaways
- Fault = invalid serve; two faults on same point = double fault
- Most common faults: overhand serve, ball hitting wall before service box, ball out of box
- Net-clipping serves that then hit the glass wall are faults (not lets)
- Foot faults are enforced in tournaments: server cannot touch service line
- Two serve attempts are allowed, just as in tennis
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In padel, a fault is any serve that fails to meet the service rules. Unlike tennis, the serve rules in padel are relatively restrictive — the underhand requirement, bounce before contact, and court geometry all create ways for a serve to fault.
Common causes of a fault: serving overhand or above waist height at contact; failing to bounce the ball before serving; the ball landing outside the service box diagonal; the ball landing in the net; the ball hitting a side wall before bouncing in the service box; or the server's foot crossing the service line before striking the ball.
A serve that clips the net and then hits the glass wall (rather than landing in the box) is also a fault — this catches players who are used to tennis, where a let is called in this situation. In padel, net-touching serves that hit the wall before the box are faults.
A double fault occurs when the server commits a fault on both the first and second serve for the same point. The receiving pair wins the point. Because padel allows two attempts to serve (first and second serve), double faults typically arise from inconsistency — hitting both serves too aggressively or getting the technique wrong under pressure.
Foot faults are called when the server steps on or over the service line before striking the ball, or touches either foot on the line. At recreational levels, foot faults are rarely called strictly, but in tournaments they are enforced.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the ball hits the net on a serve?
If the ball clips the net and lands correctly in the diagonal service box, it's a let — the serve is replayed. If it clips the net and hits the glass wall instead of landing in the box, it's a fault.
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