Serving in padel looks easy. It is underarm, it is gentle, and most players never think about it. Yet the serve is also the source of many small rule breaks in social games, and knowing the rules properly gives you both a fairer game and a few tactical ideas.

The basic requirements

A legal padel serve must meet all of these conditions:

Position. The server stands behind the service line, between the centre line and the side wall of their half. At least one foot must be in contact with the ground when the ball is struck.
The bounce. The server bounces the ball on the floor behind the service line, within their half, before striking it.
Contact height. The ball must be struck at or below waist height. The server's waist is the reference, not the height of the ball off the ground.
Direction. The serve is played diagonally into the opponents' service box, the area between the net, the service line, the centre line and the side wall on the opposite side of the court.
Feet. The server must not step on or over the service line or the centre line while serving, and must not walk, run or jump during the serve.

If any of these conditions is broken, the serve is a fault.

What counts as a fault

The ball lands outside the correct service box, including on the service line or the centre line. In padel, lines count as out on the serve.
The ball hits the server's partner.
The ball hits the opponents' wall or fence before bouncing.
The ball bounces in the box and then hits the mesh on the side. This is the important exception: a serve that bounces correctly and then touches the metal mesh before any other wall is a fault. If it hits the glass after the bounce, it is good.
The server misses the ball completely when trying to hit it.
The ball is struck above the waist.
Foot faults: stepping on the line, jumping or moving across.

Two faults in a row lose the point.

Lets

A let means the serve is replayed without penalty. A let occurs when:

The ball hits the net and then lands in the correct service box, as long as it does not then hit the mesh. If it hits the net, bounces in the box and then hits the mesh, it is a fault.
The ball hits the net and then the receiver or their partner before bouncing.
The receiver is not ready. If they make no attempt to return the serve, they can call not ready, and the serve is replayed.

There is no limit on the number of lets in a row.

Receiving the serve

The receiver must let the ball bounce before hitting it. Volleying the serve is not allowed and gives the point to the server. The receiver's partner may stand anywhere on their side of the court.

The receiver can play the ball after it hits the glass, just as in a normal rally.

Order of service

Each team decides who serves first at the start of every set. Service alternates between the teams after each game, and within each team the players alternate. The order cannot change during a set.

The first point of each game is served from the right side, then from the left, alternating each point.

Tactical notes

Because the serve is played underarm, it is rarely a weapon in the tennis sense. It is about placement and spin. A slice serve into the side glass, or a fast flat serve to the receiver's body, can draw a weak reply. Serving to the backhand of the receiver, especially in the deuce court, is a simple and effective tactic.

Most importantly, after serving, move to the net. The serving team has the initiative, and the net is where you want to be. A good serve followed by quick movement is worth far more than any amount of power.

The padel serve: every rule, every fault, no arguments