Padel Rules: Serve and return

The rules of serving in padel are very simple, although sometimes or in certain circumstances we have doubts, we will tell you the official regulations

The rules of the serve in padel are very simple , although sometimes or in certain circumstances we have doubts, we tell you the rules of the serve so that there are no doubts.

Serve Rules

It is of little use to have a spectacular serve that makes the opponent turn in search of the ball if it is done contrary to the rules that govern padel.

His knowledge is essential to progress as players and for this we must know exactly where we have to serve, how to subtract according to the rules of padel and all the regulations that surround this start of the point, which of course will end up choosing our side.

Let’s start with the most basic to properly know how we should serve and receive the opponent’s serve.

In the first place, something obvious for the advanced, but that may sound like another language to you when you start your journey in this wonderful sport. The player who executes the serve in the padel receives the name of “server” , and the one who receives it “receiver” . Let’s see how each of these figures should be placed on the track.

Position of players in padel kick
Position of players in padel kick
  • Green circle->Server
  • Red circle -> Subtractor

Regulations for the one who serves in padel

The kicker must place both feet behind the line that crosses the track from side to side in his field and must throw the ball towards the box on the opposite diagonal.

To do this, they have the obligation to bounce the ball once before it comes into contact with the racket, which will always be done below the hip and with at least one foot on the ground.

As has been commented, the direction of the ball must be towards the box on the opposite side diagonally. When the server has made the hit, the ball has to bounce within the limits of said box, including the lines. The server has two attempts to serve.

In the first game of each set, the pair that has the right to serve will decide which member will serve. Once the order has been established, it cannot be changed until the first game of the following set.

If throughout the match it is discovered that there has been an error in the member of the couple who was supposed to serve, the serve must be resumed immediately to said server.

All points made previously, in this case, are valid. The serve order is rotating, that is, the one who was subtracting goes to serve and vice versa.

Important since in the last matches of the World Padel Tour we have been seeing errors in the execution that are considered foul, specifically at the moment of hitting the ball, it must be done below the waist.

Therefore, taking these general rules into account, it will be considered a foul to serve when any of the following cases occurs:

  • The server does not touch the ball at any time during the service due to a technical failure.
  • The ball bounces outside the opponent’s box, not including the lines.
  • The ball hits the server or the partner.
  • After the first bounce in the opposite field, the ball touches the metallic net (different from the wall)
  • The ball leaves through the door of the track.

Rules for the receiver

Once the ball has given the first bounce, and before it gives the second, the receiver has to hit the ball to return it to the opponent’s court. As in the service, the members of the pair will decide in the first game of each set which member will receive first.

From there the turns are alternate, each time subtracting one throughout the game. Another aspect that the receiver must take into account when receiving the serve is that, immediately after the first bounce of the ball, he will have to hit it, that is, if he gives two bounces, the goal will be for the server.

Serve repetition

There are certain actions that can be given in which case the serve will be repeated. This is the case, for example, when the ball touches the net (or its supports) and then falls into the corresponding box.

It may also be the case that the receiver is not ready, in which case the complete serve will also be repeated with its two corresponding attempts. These repetitions are called “let” of the service.

Knowledge of these rules will allow us to advance as padel players and face situations that will arise throughout the sporting experience. Once you know the rules that set the regulation, all that remains is to put your serve and return technique into practice so as not to have to spend your second chance.

What does LET mean in padel?

LET in padel is when the player who serves touches the net with the ball, then goes to the opposite field and bounces on the opposite field of play.

When a LET is produced, the player will serve again , in the event that it is the second service, according to the regulations, he can only serve one more.

There are some rare cases that can make the point bad after a LET:

  • In the event that after the first bounce the ball touches the metal mesh on the side (the wall or glass is considered good).
  • When the second bounce occurs outside the field, and the ball leaves through the door of the track.
  • When the ball hits the net and lands on the server’s side.

How many times can you bounce the ball on the padel?

Both in the serve and in the game , the ball can only bounce once , in the event that it bounces twice in a row inside the field, or makes the second bounce after bouncing off a wall, it will be considered a point for the opponent for not having returned the ball to the opponent.