Serve and return

How to serve

Stand behind the service line. The serve lands in a box. You do not stand in it. Bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it at or below your waist. It must land in the service box diagonally opposite. If the ball then hits the glass, the serve is still good. If it hits the mesh, it is a fault.

The foot rule, and the fault list, are on the 2026 rule changes.

How to return serve

Wait for the bounce. The ball must bounce in the service box before you hit it. No volleying the serve.

• Hit it before a second bounce on the floor.
• If the ball hits you or your racket before it bounces in the box, that is the server's point.

At the start of each set, your pair chooses who receives first. That player receives the first serve of every game in the set. Partners alternate receiving within each game as serves switch sides.

Return priorities (coaching advice, not official rules)

At beginner level, the best return is one that starts the rally.

1. Get it in. A safe return beats a failed winner attempt.
2. Medium height. Avoid feeding the opposing net player with a low pop-up.
3. Deep or middle. Towards the back glass or centre buys time. Sharp angles can come later.
4. Stay balanced. Start behind or on the service line. Step in when you are comfortable.

Padel serves are rally-starters, not aces. Consistency beats power at club level.

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Common errors

• "I can volley the serve if I'm quick." No. The return has to bounce in the box first.
• "Glass off the serve is always good." It is good if the ball bounces in the box first. Mesh after that bounce is a fault.
• "Tennis serve motion is fine." Contact has to be at or below waist height. A ball above the waist is a fault. A ball at the waist is not.
• "Power wins free points on serve." At club level, placement and getting the return in matter more.

Practise it

1. Line drill. Serve 10 balls. After each, check that the bounce stayed behind the service line before contact.
2. Cross-court target. Aim for the back third of the diagonal service box. Count how many land in without hitting mesh.
3. Return count. Partner serves. Your only goal is 10 returns in a row into the court.

Serve to the corners · Solo · 15 min

Watch this

The film is the swing. The feet follow the 2026 rules.