Le  padel service  is one of the most important shots in the game. Unlike in tennis, it's not a powerful shot intended to win the point directly, but rather a strategic shot that allows you to  to initiate the exchange and gain the advantage in the point .

For beginners, the  padel service rules  may seem confusing: hitting below the waist, mandatory bounce, precise zones… These are all features that differentiate this sport from other racket sports.

In this comprehensive tutorial, discover  the official rules of the serve in padel , mistakes to avoid and technical tips to improve your game.

1. Position of the server and receiver

Before serving, each player must respect a precise position on the court.

Le  server  must be placed:

  • behind the baseline
  • between the center line and the side window
  • without touching the lines with his feet

At the moment of hitting the ball,  at least one foot must be in contact with the ground .

These rules guarantee a fair service and prevent any undue advantage being taken.

On the receivers' side, the positioning is more flexible: both players can position themselves  where they want in their half of the land as long as they don't interfere with the server.

These elements are defined in the  Official padel rules published by the French Tennis Federation .

2. Maximum striking height: serve below the waist

One of the unique aspects of padel is that  the service must be struck below the waist .

Unlike tennis:

  • There is no throwing of the ball over the head
  • the strike must be carried out  with a spoon 

In practical terms, the ball must be struck:

  •  at or below the waist 
  • with an up-and-down motion

This rule limits the power of the service and promotes exchanges.

3. The mandatory bounce before the shot

Another essential rule of padel:  The ball must bounce before being hit. .

The correct sequence is as follows:

  1. the waiter drops the ball
  2. the ball bounced on the ground
  3. the server hits the ball below the waist

The rebound must be performed  in the server's half of the field and behind the baseline .

If the ball is hit directly without bouncing, the serve is considered  fault .

4. Service areas in padel

As in tennis, the serve must be performed  and diagonal .

The ball must bounce in the  opposite service square .

The padel court includes:

  • two service squares on each side
  • separated by a central line

The server always starts  on the right side of the field , then alternates at each point.

After the bounce in the service box:

  • the ball can hit the glass
  • closest  It must not touch the fence directly. 

If the ball hits the net directly after bouncing, the serve is considered  faux .

5. Service faults in padel

Several errors can lead to a service failure.

Here are the most common ones:

touch the bottom line

The server must not touch:

  • the bottom line
  • the imaginary center line

with his feet.

hit the ball above the waist

If the ball is hit  above the waist The service is invalid.

serving in the wrong area

The ball must bounce  in the diagonal service square .

If it bounces elsewhere, the serve is a fault.

touch the fence

After the bounce in the service box:

  • If the ball hits the fence → foul
  • If it touches the glass → valid service

two missed serves

As in tennis, each server has  two attempts .

If both services are at fault,  the point is lost .

6. 5 tips for an effective serve in padel

A good service must not only be regulatory, it must also be strategic.

Here are some tips to improve your service.

aim for the side windows

A serve that bounces close to the glass often creates a ball that is difficult to return.

prioritize precision over power

The serve in padel is first and foremost  a placement shot .

vary the effects

Cut or lifted effects can complicate the restart.

serve near the line

A deep serve limits the receiver's attacking options.

quickly move to the net

After the service, the goal is often to  take the net dominant position in padel.

Video sequence of the serving gesture (description)

To fully understand the serving technique, here is the classic technical sequence:

  1. stable position behind the bottom line
  2. ball dropped in front of him
  3. ground bounce
  4. spoon strike below the waist
  5. accompanying the forward movement
  6. movement towards the net

This movement must remain  fluid and controlled .

In summary: the rules of the serve in padel

The service in padel is based on a few simple principles:

  • hit  below the waist 
  •  mandatory rebound  before the strike
  • Service  and diagonal 
  • The ball can hit the glass but not the wire mesh.
  • two service attempts

These rules aim to  to promote exchanges and strategy , essential elements of padel.

 Sources 

  • French Tennis Federation –  Official rules of padel 
  • FFT Rules of the Game – official document on match formats and technical rules
  • International Federation of Padel – official sporting regulations
Team Padel Mag

The team Padel Magazine has been trying to offer you the best of padel since 2013, but also surveys and analyses to try to understand the world of padel. From the game to the politics of our sport, Padel Magazine is at your service.

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