How many serves do you get in padel?

In WPT (professional) and most competitive play, you get two serve attempts — a first and second serve, similar to tennis. A fault on the first serve gives you a second chance; a fault on the second serve gives the point to your opponents. However, some club, social, and informal formats use only a single serve. Always confirm with your opponents before starting.

What are the serve rules in padel?

Key padel serve rules: 1) The serve must be underarm (ball struck at or below waist height). 2) Both feet must be behind the service line at contact. 3) The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box. 4) The ball must bounce in the service box before hitting any wall. 5) If the serve clips the net and lands in, it's a let (replayed). 6) In competition, two serves are usually allowed.

What is a let serve in padel?

A let serve in padel is when the serve clips the top of the net and still lands in the correct service box. The serve is replayed — it counts as neither a fault nor a valid serve. There is no limit to the number of lets in a row. A serve that hits the net and lands outside the service box is a fault.

Where do you aim your serve in padel?

The two main targets are: 1) Down the T (centre service line) — limits the receiver's return angle and is effective for net rushers. 2) Wide to the side wall — forces the receiver to stretch and can push the ball into the side glass on the return. Beginners should aim for the centre of the service box to maximise consistency.

Beginner–Intermediate

Padel Serve Guide

Q: Is the padel serve underarm?

Yes — the padel serve is always underarm. Unlike tennis, overarm serving is not allowed. The ball must be struck at or below waist height. The server must not throw the ball above waist height before contact. This is one of the most fundamental differences between padel and tennis.

The padel serve is underarm, lower pace than tennis — and yet it's still one of the most tactical elements of the game. Learn the rules, master the technique, and understand how to use the serve to set up the point rather than end it.

Serve rules (official)

The serve must be underarm

Unlike tennis, overarm serving is not allowed in padel. The ball must be struck at or below waist height. The server must not throw the ball above waist height before contact.

The server must stand behind the service line

Both feet must be behind the service line (the line at the back of the service box) when contact is made. One foot may touch but not cross the centre service mark.

The serve must bounce in the diagonally opposite service box

The serve lands in the service box diagonally opposite the server: deuce court server aims for receiver's deuce court, ad court server aims for receiver's ad court.

A let is replayed (no second serve for a let)

If the serve clips the net and lands in the correct service box, it's a let — the serve is replayed. There is no limit to the number of lets on a single point. Unlike tennis, there is only ONE first serve — a fault immediately gives the opponent the point (in standard play; some formats allow a second serve).

The ball must bounce before hitting the back glass

On the serve, the ball must bounce in the service box before hitting the back glass or side glass. If it hits the glass without bouncing first, it's a fault.

The server has two attempts (in WPT rules)

Professional and most competitive play gives the server two attempts — a first and second serve. However, some club and informal play uses a single serve. Always confirm with your opponents before starting.

Types of padel serve

Start with the flat serve and build consistency before adding spin.

Flat serve

Beginner

The flat serve is the most basic and reliable padel serve. A direct underarm swing with minimal spin that sends the ball into the service box with pace. Great for beginners building consistency.

Technique

1.Stand behind the service line, feet shoulder-width apart
2.Hold the ball at waist height or below — the serve must be underarm
3.Swing forward in a smooth pendulum motion, no wrist snap
4.Contact the ball below waist height, making clean contact
5.Aim for the centre of the service box for the highest margin

Best for

Beginners; when you need a reliable first serve

Avoid

Don't aim for the corners as a beginner — consistency beats placement at low levels

Slice serve (side spin)

Intermediate

The slice serve uses side spin to make the ball curve in the air and kick away from the receiver after bouncing. It's the most common serve at intermediate and advanced level because it creates awkward angles for the receiver.

Technique

1.Start with the same stance as the flat serve
2.At contact, brush the ball from right-to-left (for right-handers) with the racket face open
3.The ball should curve to the receiver's forehand in the ad court or backhand in the deuce court
4.Follow through across your body rather than straight through
5.The kick after the bounce is where the difficulty for the receiver comes from

Best for

Moving the receiver wide; creating awkward return angles

Avoid

Over-spinning — if the ball goes too wide of the service box, reduce the brush angle

Topspin serve

Advanced

The topspin serve kicks high after bouncing, forcing the receiver to handle the ball above shoulder height — difficult in padel. Requires precise technique and is less common than the slice serve.

Technique

1.Similar swing but brush the ball from low-to-high with a closed racket face
2.The ball dips down quickly into the service box and kicks high on bounce
3.Aim deeper into the service box than a flat or slice serve
4.Particularly effective against players who struggle with high backhand volleys

Best for

Advanced players; pressuring receivers who can't handle height

Avoid

High net clips — topspin requires more clearance margin than flat

T-serve (down the middle)

All levels

A serve aimed at the T — the junction of the centre line and service line — that pins the receiver into the body and limits their return angle. It's a placement strategy, not a type of spin.

Technique

1.Use any serve type (flat or slice work best)
2.Aim at the centre of the T to the receiver's dominant side
3.The receiver is crowded and can only return down the middle
4.Follow the serve into the net immediately — the T-serve sets up a net attack

Best for

Net rushers; players who follow serve to net

Avoid

Don't try the T too often — vary with wide serves to keep the receiver guessing

Return of serve tactics

The goal of the return is not to win the point — it's to neutralise the server's net advantage and start a rally on equal terms.

Position 1m inside the baseline

Standing too far back gives the serve more time to kick awkwardly. Stand about 1 metre inside the baseline, ready to move either direction.

Watch the server's racket face

The direction of the racket face at contact telegraphs where the serve is going. Left-to-right brush = slice to your forehand (in the ad court). Straight through = flat serve down the T.

Target the server's feet, not the net players

The receiver's partner is at the net. Aim your return low at the server's feet as they come forward, not at the net player who is ready for you.

Lob return as a reset

If you're struggling with a heavy serve, a high lob return is your reset option. It sends the server back, neutralises the net advantage, and buys you time.

Cross-court is your highest-percentage shot

The cross-court return passes over the lowest part of the net and gives you the most court to aim at. Use it as your default return, especially on the first ball.

Serve positioning

Server's position

→ Stand behind the service line, near the centre mark
→ Your partner stands at the net on your same side of the court
→ After serving, move forward to join your partner at the net
→ Don't stay on the baseline — the serve-and-volley is the default tactic

Receiver's position

→ Stand 1m inside the baseline — not pressed back against the glass
→ Your partner stands at the net on the same side as you
→ After returning, follow the ball to the net — don't stay back
→ A lob return is always a valid option if you're under pressure

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Most padel serve faults come from the same handful of issues: dropping the ball too high, poor stance, or inconsistent contact point. Find a verified padel coach near you — free for players.

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