The serve in padel is not an attacking shot like in tennis but the start of the rally. You serve underhand, diagonally into the opponents’ service box, and then move to the net. The goal is a safe, awkward ball, not an ace.
The rules
1You stand behind the service line, between the centre line and the side wall.
2Let the ball bounce behind the service line and hit it at or below hip height.
3The ball must bounce diagonally in the opponents’ service box. After that it may touch the glass, but not the fence.
4You get two attempts. If the ball touches the net and lands in the box, the serve is replayed.
Where to serve
The safest serve goes deep into the box, to the middle or to the side wall. It then rebounds off the wall and leaves the returner little angle.
Vary pace and direction. A slow ball with backspin that comes off the side wall low is often harder to return than a hard one.
A serves diagonally into the opponents’ service box, B waits at the net.Your pairOpponentsBallMovementBounce
Common mistakes
Hitting the ball above hip height: the serve is invalid.
Standing with your foot on or over the service line.
Staying at the back after the serve instead of moving to the net.
Drill: 20 serves at a target
Put two targets in each service box: one towards the middle, one towards the side wall.
Hit 10 balls at each target and take two steps towards the net after every serve.
Note how many land in. Goal: 18 out of 20.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to go to the net after serving?
Not necessarily, but it is the norm. The pair at the net has the advantage.
Is a serve into the fence a fault?
Yes. If the serve bounces in the box and then hits the fence, it is invalid. The glass, on the other hand, is allowed.
