The serve is the one shot in padel you fully control — nobody is pressuring you when you hit it. Get it right and you start every point on the front foot. Get it wrong and you hand away easy faults. This guide covers exactly how to serve in padel: the rules, the grip, the technique, and the mistakes that trip up almost every beginner.
Key takeaway: In padel, you must serve underarm, striking the ball at or below waist height, after bouncing it once on the ground behind the service line. The ball must land in the service box diagonally opposite you. You get two attempts per point, and at least one foot must stay behind the line until you make contact.
The padel serve rules (in plain English)
A serve is only legal if it meets every one of these conditions:
1. It's underarm. Unlike tennis, there is no overhead serve in padel. You swing from low to high, never above your shoulder.
2. You bounce the ball first. You drop the ball so it bounces once on the floor beside you, then hit it after the bounce. You cannot strike it out of the air.
3. Contact is at or below waist height. The ball must be struck at or below waist level at the moment of contact. Under current International Padel Federation (FIP) rules this is measured as a fixed height, but the simple version to remember is: hit it below your waist. Making contact above the waist is a fault.
4. You serve from behind the service line. Stand behind the service line in your service box. At least one foot must be on the ground, and you must not touch or step over the line before you strike the ball.
5. It lands diagonally, in the box. The ball must travel diagonally and bounce inside the service box on the opposite side. After bouncing, it may hit the side wall — that's still in play — but if it hits the metal fencing (the mesh) before the second bounce, it's a fault.
6. You get two serves. As in tennis, you have two attempts. Miss both and you lose the point (a double fault). A serve that clips the net and still lands correctly in the box is a "let" and is replayed.
Padel serve technique, step by step
Legal is the baseline. Here's how to actually hit a serve that's consistent and hard to attack.
Step 1: Use a continental grip
Hold the racket as though you're shaking hands with it — this is the continental (or "hammer") grip. It lets you serve, volley and play off the walls without changing your hand position. If you're new to grips, our guide on how to choose a padel racket explains grip size and shape.
Step 2: Set your stance
Stand side-on to the net, behind the service line. Feet roughly shoulder-width apart, weight on your back foot. Point your front shoulder toward the box you're aiming at.
Step 3: Drop, don't throw
Hold the ball at about waist height and drop it — let it fall and bounce close to your body, slightly to your hitting side. Do not toss it up. A gentle bounce of around 30–40 cm is all you need. Bouncing it too hard sends it back up high and forces contact above the waist, which is a fault.
Step 4: Swing low to high
As the ball comes down, swing forward and slightly upward, transferring your weight from your back foot to your front foot. Brush up through the ball to clear the net, making contact just below hip height and slightly in front of your body.
Step 5: Move to the net
The serve isn't the end of the point — it's the start. In padel, the team at the net controls the rally. As soon as you've served, move forward to join your partner at the net so you can intercept the return.
Where should you aim your serve?
Three reliable targets for club players:
- Down the middle (at the "T"): cuts down the returner's angles and can cause confusion between opponents.
- Out wide to the side wall: pushes the returner off court and can produce an awkward bounce off the glass.
- At the body: a serve into the returner's hip is genuinely difficult to return cleanly.
Vary them. A predictable serve is an easy serve to attack.
Common serving mistakes to avoid
- Bouncing the ball too high — the number-one cause of above-the-waist faults.
- Foot faults — creeping onto the line before contact.
- Serving too hard — power matters far less than placement in padel; a flat rocket often sits up perfectly for the returner.
- Standing still after the serve — leaving your partner alone at the net hands control to the other team.
Serve with control, get to the net, and you'll win more points than any beginner relying on pace.
Serve in AIXO colours
A dependable serve is a repeatable serve — and gear that feels right helps you repeat it. AIXO padel rackets pair tour-grade carbon construction with bold, statement-making designs, because your game should look as good as it plays. Explore the AIXO padel racket range and grip it your way.
FAQ
Is the padel serve underarm or overarm?
The padel serve is always underarm. You swing from low to high and must strike the ball at or below waist height — there is no overhead serve as in tennis.
Do you have to bounce the ball before serving in padel?
Yes. You must drop the ball so it bounces once on the ground behind the service line, then hit it after that bounce. You cannot hit the ball out of the air.
How many serves do you get in padel?
Two. If your first serve is a fault, you take a second. Missing both is a double fault and you lose the point. A serve that clips the net and lands correctly is a let and is replayed.
Can a padel serve hit the wall?
After the ball bounces in the correct service box, it can hit the side glass wall and stay in play. But if it strikes the metal mesh fencing before its second bounce, the serve is a fault.
What grip should I use for a padel serve?
Use the continental (handshake) grip. It works for serving, volleying and wall play without needing to change your hand position, which keeps your technique simple and consistent.
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