This is a step-by-step guide for beginners on how to serve in padwel. The padel serve is one of the first things new players need to master. It is significantly simpler than a tennis serve as there are no overhead smashes, no complex toss mechanics, and no need for exceptional power. In padel, the serve is underarm, and consistency matters far more than pace.
Here’s everything you need to know to serve confidently from your first session.
The Basic Rules of the Padel Serve
Before getting into technique, it’s worth understanding what the rules actually require:
- The serve must be underarm, striking the ball overhead is not permitted
- The ball must be bounced before being struck
- At the moment of contact, the ball must be at or below waist height
- The serve is hit diagonally from the right service box to the opponent’s left, and vice versa
- The server must keep at least one foot on the ground during the serve and both feet behind the service line
- You get two attempts, if both fail, the point goes to the receiver and you change boxes to serve to the other person.
Step-by-Step: How to Serve in Padel
Step 1: Position yourself correctly
Stand behind the service line, to the right of the centre line when serving from the right side, and to the left when serving from the left. You have some freedom to move laterally as long as you stay behind the line.
Step 2: Hold the racket correctly
Use a continental grip, which means holding the racket as if you were going to hammer a nail with the edge of the frame. This grip gives you the most control for an underarm serve and allows natural wrist movement through contact.
Step 3: Bounce the ball
Drop the ball and let it bounce once in front of you. A gentle drop gives you a consistent bounce height and makes timing easier.
Step 4: Strike below waist height
As the ball rises from the bounce, strike it at or below waist height with a smooth, controlled swing. You’re not trying to generate pace, instead you’re aiming for placement and consistency.
Step 5: Aim diagonally into the service box
The ball must land in the diagonal service box on your opponent’s side. Aim for the centre or back of the box, serving wide increases the risk of a fault.
Step 6: Follow through and move forward
After the serve, move towards the net. In padel, controlling the net is the dominant strategy, a good serve followed by a strong net position puts you immediately on the front foot.
Common Serving Mistakes to Avoid
Striking above waist height: The most common fault for beginners coming from a tennis background. Keep the contact point low, if in doubt, serve lower than you think you need to.
Serving too hard: Power is not an advantage in padel serving. A fast serve that lands out of the box loses the point. Focus on placement and let your opponents deal with the rally.
Poor ball placement when bouncing: Dropping the ball too far in front or to the side makes timing inconsistent. Find a comfortable drop point directly in front of your hitting shoulder and repeat it every time.
Not moving forward after the serve: Standing on the baseline after serving in padel is a strategic mistake. The net is where points are won, get there quickly after every serve.
Double faulting under pressure: If you’re nervous, slow everything down. The underarm serve has no time pressure.
Types of Serve in Padel
Once you’ve mastered the basic serve, there are a few variations worth developing:
The flat serve: A clean, direct serve with minimal spin aimed at the back of the service box. Simple and effective for beginners.
The slice serve: Adding sidespin by brushing across the ball at contact. This causes the ball to skid low after bouncing, making it harder for the receiver to attack.
The kick serve: Topspin applied by brushing up and over the ball. The ball bounces high and kicks towards the receiver’s backhand, a useful variation once you’re comfortable with the basics.
The body serve: Aimed directly at the receiver’s body, limiting their swing options. Effective at club level when used sparingly.
Serving Strategy for Beginners
At the beginner level, serving strategy is simple: get the ball in play and get to the net.
Don’t worry about spin variations or targeting weaknesses yet. Focus on:
- Making your first serve consistently
- Keeping the ball low and central in the service box
- Moving forward immediately after contact
As your game develops, you’ll naturally start reading your opponent’s position and varying your placement. But consistency is the foundation everything else is built on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you serve overhand in padel?
No — the serve must be underarm in padel. Striking the ball above waist height is a fault.
What happens if the serve hits the net?
If the serve clips the net and lands in the correct service box, it’s a let and the serve is retaken. If it hits the net and lands out, it’s a fault.
Can the serve bounce off the glass wall?
Yes — if the serve lands in the correct service box and then bounces into the glass wall, it’s still in play and the receiver must play it.
How many serves do you get in padel?
Two. If both serves result in a fault, the point goes to the receiver.
Is the padel serve easier than tennis?
Yes — significantly. The underarm action is more natural for beginners and requires far less technique than a tennis serve to make consistent.
Getting your serve right is just the start. Make sure you’ve got the right equipment for the court — check out our guides to the best padel rackets for beginners, best padel shoes for men, and best padel bags.