How to serve in padel — step-by-step for beginners

Updated 6 August 2026. Revised for the FIP rulebook effective 1 January 2026. The stance rule now requires one foot behind the service line rather than two, and a new clause governs where the ball may travel before contact.

Serving in padel is one of the first skills every player learns—but it's also one of the most misunderstood. Unlike tennis, padel serves are underhand, must bounce before you hit them, and have strict rules on ball height and positioning.

Here's everything you need to know to serve properly in padel—and confidently.

Basic padel serve rules

Let's start with the official rules that apply to every serve:

The serve must be underhand
You must let the ball bounce once on the ground before hitting it
The ball must be struck at or below waist height
At least one foot must be in contact with or behind the service line at the moment you strike the ball, positioned between the centre line extension and the side wall
The ball may not cross the service line, or its imaginary extension, before you hit it
The ball must land diagonally in the opposite service box
You get two attempts to serve correctly
You have 20 seconds between points
If the ball hits the net but lands in the correct box, it's a let serve and is replayed

Two of these changed in January 2026. The old rulebook required both feet behind the line, and said nothing explicit about the ball crossing it. See what changed in the 2026 rules for the full picture.

Step-by-step: how to serve in padel

1. Stand in the correct position

Keep at least one foot in contact with or behind the service line
You must be between the centre line extension and the side glass/wall
Hold that position until the ball has been struck

2. Bounce the ball once

Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand
Drop it and let it bounce on the ground, behind the service line
Hit it after the bounce, at or below waist level
Don't toss or drop it forward past the line — if you make contact beyond the service line or its imaginary extension, that's a fault

3. Use an underhand swing

Swing gently upward with a low-to-high motion
Contact must be made at or below the waist
Keep your motion smooth and controlled

4. Aim diagonally

The serve must land in the opposite service box
Just like in tennis, it's always cross-court
After bouncing in the box the ball can hit the glass—but if it strikes the wire mesh fence, the serve is a fault

Common serve faults to avoid

Mistake	Why it's a fault
Hitting above the waist	Serve must be struck at or below waist height
Not letting the ball bounce	You must hit the ball after a bounce
No foot behind the line	At least one foot must be in contact with or behind the service line at impact
Contact past the service line	The ball may not cross the line, or its imaginary extension, before you strike it
Ball lands outside the service box	The ball must land diagonally in bounds
Hits the fence after bouncing	The serve is out if it strikes the wire mesh
Taking too long	You have 20 seconds between points

Bonus tips for beginners

Start slow: Focus on consistency before power
Practice placement: Aim near the "T" to limit your opponent's angles
Watch the pros: Learn serve timing and body positioning
Don't rush: Take your time to reset between serves, within the 20 seconds

Where to practice your padel serve

Looking for the perfect spot to practice? Here are some popular padel locations:

Or browse all padel courts and book one near you.

If you can't get a partner, our guide to solo padel practice has drills you can do alone.

Conclusion

Learning to serve in padel takes patience—but it's one of the most important parts of your game. Keep a foot behind the line, stay relaxed, and aim for consistency. Once you get the basics down, you'll be ready to control the pace of play and win more points from the very first shot.

Need a court to practice? Visit the homepage and start playing today.