In padel, the serve is underarm, hit after one bounce and played diagonally into the opponent's service box. You get 2 attempts, the contact should be at or below waist height, and the serve must bounce in the correct box before it can hit the glass.
The serve is not there to blast someone off the court. For beginners, it is there to start the point with control, keep the ball low enough to avoid an easy return and give your team time to move into a sensible position.
Quick padel serve rules
| Rule | What it means for beginners |
|---|---|
| Underarm serve | Hit from below, not like a tennis serve. |
| One bounce before contact | Drop the ball and hit it after it bounces. |
| Diagonal service box | Serve cross-court into the opposite box. |
| 2 attempts | If the first serve is a fault, you get one more go. |
| Wall is allowed after the bounce | A serve can bounce in the box and then hit the glass, but not the fence. |
For formal matches, check the competition rules being used. The LTA and FIP are the sensible references for rules and scoring.
Where should you stand to serve?
Start behind the service line on the correct side, with your feet balanced and your target chosen before you drop the ball. You are aiming diagonally, so give yourself a simple cross-court target rather than changing your mind halfway through the swing.
Keep the first serve boring. A reliable serve to the receiver's backhand side or into the body is usually more useful than a heroic angle that clips the glass, the fence or your confidence.
Simple serve technique
- Choose the target. Decide before you bounce the ball.
- Use a relaxed grip. Squeezing too hard makes the swing stiff.
- Drop the ball cleanly. Let it bounce once without chasing it.
- Contact in front. Keep the contact point comfortable and controlled.
- Swing low to high. Use enough shape to clear the net safely.
- Recover after serving. Move with your partner rather than admiring the serve.
Common serve faults
- The serve lands outside the diagonal service box.
- The ball hits the net and does not land legally.
- The ball bounces in the service box and then hits the fence.
- The server contacts the ball too high.
- The server rushes the second serve and gives away a free point.
What should beginners aim for?
A beginner serve should be legal, repeatable and awkward enough that the returner cannot attack easily. That is enough. You do not need a serve that has a nickname.
Try these targets:
- Deep to the backhand: safe and useful against many beginners.
- Into the body: can make the returner feel cramped.
- Towards the glass: useful once you can control the depth.
Beginner serve drills
| Drill | How to do it | Success target |
|---|---|---|
| 10-ball legality drill | Serve 10 balls cross-court at steady pace. | 7 legal serves before adding pace. |
| Backhand target drill | Aim 10 serves to the receiver's backhand side. | 5 land deep enough to stop an easy attack. |
| Second-serve drill | Start every serve as if it is your second attempt. | Calm rhythm and fewer free faults. |
What kit helps your serve?
Technique matters more than kit, but a comfortable grip helps you serve without squeezing the handle to death. If the racket slips, try racket overgrips. If you are buying your first setup, choose control and comfort from our padel rackets rather than chasing power.
The sensible next step
In your next session, spend 5 minutes serving slowly to the same target. Once you can make the serve legally and calmly, add placement. Power can queue politely at the back.
FAQs
Is a padel serve underarm?
Yes. A padel serve is underarm and hit after the ball bounces once.
How many serves do you get in padel?
You get 2 attempts, as in tennis. If the first serve is a fault, you have a second serve.
Can a padel serve hit the wall?
Yes, after it has bounced legally in the service box, the serve can hit the glass wall. If it hits the fence after the bounce, it is normally a fault.
Can you serve overarm in padel?
No. The serve is underarm, so do not use a tennis-style overarm serve.
What is the best beginner serve in padel?
A steady cross-court serve that lands deep and makes the returner play up is usually the best beginner option.
Sources and further reading
- LTA: Official padel rules and scoring explained
- LTA: How to get started playing padel
- International Padel Federation: Official rulebook
Sources checked 22 June 2026.
