The short version. Bounce the ball, hit it at or below the waist, land it deep in the diagonal box. In padel the serve isn’t a weapon so much as a way of starting the point on your terms: get it in, keep it low after the bounce, and follow it to the net.
What makes a serve legal
- Bounce the ball behind your service line, then strike it at or below your waist.
- At least one foot on the ground at contact; neither foot on the line.
- The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box (lines count as in).
- After the bounce it may hit the back or side glass; if it hits the mesh, it is a fault.
Two attempts, as in tennis. A serve that touches the net and lands in the box is a let and is replayed.
Where to aim
The serve is short of glamour, but placement wins points. The three targets every club player should own:
- Into the side glass. The ball bounces deep and kicks off the side wall towards the receiver, who has to read two angles at once.
- Down the T. Into the middle, which narrows the receiver’s angles and lets your partner at the net cover the return.
- At the body. Cramped receivers return weakly. Unkind, effective, entirely legal.
Depth matters more than pace. A serve that bounces near the service line comes off the back glass slowly and gives the receiver an easy ball. A serve that bounces deep and stays low after the glass is the one that causes problems.
Spin
Most good servers use slice: brushing down the back and side of the ball so it skids and stays low after the bounce. Topspin kicks up, which gives the receiver a comfortable height. Hit it flat if you are learning; add slice once the serve goes in nine times out of ten.
Where the partner stands
The server’s partner starts at the net, roughly two metres from it, in the centre of their own half. Their job is to intercept weak returns, so they should be ready and slightly crouched, not admiring the serve.
Serve and move
After you serve, move forward to the net to join your partner. That is the point of serving in padel: it gives your pair first claim on the net, which is where points are won. If the return is a good lob over your heads, you will be going back again, which is also padel.
Common faults
- Hitting it above the waist. The most common illegal serve at club level. Bounce lower, bend your knees.
- Serving too hard. Big serves come off the back glass fast and give the receiver pace to use. Slower, deeper and lower is better.
- Watching your serve. Serve, then move.
Next: what to do when the ball comes back to you off the glass, in playing off the back glass.
Quick answers
Does the padel serve have to be underarm?
Yes. The ball must be bounced and struck at or below waist height, which in practice makes it underarm or a low side-arm swing.
Where should I aim my padel serve?
Deep, towards the receiver’s glass, and most of the time at the corner where the back and side glass meet, or down the middle at their body. Placement beats pace.
Can you serve overarm in padel?
No. A serve struck above the waist is a fault.