It has surely happened to you: you serve, the ball clips the tape and nobody knows whether the serve is replayed or the point goes to the opponents. The answer depends on three things the rules set out precisely: where the ball bounces after touching the net, whether it then touches the fence, and whether it was your first or your second serve. All the gear is in our padel balls category.
What follows is based on the official text of the FIP Rules of Padel (edition in force since 1 January 2026; rules consulted in October 2026), specifically Rule 9 (repeating the serve: “let” and “net”) and Rule 7 (serve fault).
What if the ball touches the net on serve?
- Let: the ball touches the net or the posts and lands inside the receiver’s service box without touching the metal fence before the second bounce: the serve is replayed.
- Fault: if it does not land in the correct box, or if after bouncing it touches the metal fence before the second bounce.
- First serve: if it is a let, the point is replayed and the server gets both serves again.
- Second serve: if it is a let, only that second serve is replayed.
- Receiver not ready: the serve is replayed too.
Is the serve replayed if it touches the net? ↑ index
Yes, it is replayed if the ball touches the net (or the posts) and still lands inside the receiver’s service box without touching the metal fence before the second bounce. If any of those conditions is missing, it is not a let.
These are the three conditions Rule 9 requires for the serve to be a “net” and be replayed:
It touches the net or the posts: the ball clips the tape or one of the posts holding it during its flight.
It lands in the correct box: after touching the net, the ball bounces inside the receiver’s service box (the lines count as good).
It does not touch the fence before the second bounce: if it touches the metal fence before bouncing a second time, it is no longer a let.
What is a let on the padel serve? ↑ index
A let is a serve that is replayed without counting as a fault or a point. On the serve, the rules call it a “net” when the ball touches the net or the posts and still lands in.
Net (Rule 9.1.a): the ball touches the net or the posts and lands inside the receiver’s service box, without touching the metal fence before the second bounce.
Net (Rule 9.1.b): after touching the net or the posts, the ball hits a player or something they are wearing or carrying.
Receiver not ready (Rule 9.2.a): if you serve before the receiver is ready, the serve is replayed as well.
No written limit: the text of Rule 9 sets no maximum number of consecutive lets.
What if the serve touches the net and the fence? ↑ index
It depends on the order: if it touches the net, lands in the correct box and then touches the metal fence before the second bounce, it is a fault (Rule 7), not a let.
Net and a correct bounce, no fence: it is a let and the serve is replayed.
Net, a correct bounce and then the fence before the second bounce: it is a serve fault, because a let requires that it does not touch the fence.
Net and it does not land in the correct box: it is a straight fault (outside, in another box or never crossing the net), exactly as if it had not touched the net.
Let on the first or the second serve: what is replayed ↑ index
If the let is on the first serve, the point is replayed and the server gets both serves again; if it is on the second serve, only that second serve is replayed.
Let on the first serve (Rule 9.2.b): the whole point is replayed and the server gets both serves back.
Let on the second serve (Rule 9.2.c): only that second serve is replayed; the first one does not come back.
Fault on the first serve: nothing is replayed: you move on to the second serve. If the second is also a fault, the point goes to the opposing pair.
Serve touching the net: let or fault, case by case ↑ index
It touches the net and lands in its box without touching the fence: let. It touches the net and does not land in, or touches the fence before the second bounce: fault.
| What happens | Let or fault? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| It touches the net and lands in the correct box without touching the fence | Let: replayed | Rule 9.1.a |
| It touches a post and lands in the correct box | Let: replayed | Rule 9.1.a: net or the posts holding it |
| It touches the net and goes outside the box | Fault | It does not land in the receiver’s service box |
| It touches the net and does not cross to the other side | Fault | It does not reach the receiver’s service box |
| It touches the net, bounces in and touches the fence before the second bounce | Fault | Rule 7: touches the metal fence before the second bounce |
| The receiver was not ready | Let: replayed | Rule 9.2.a |
| Let on the first serve | The point is replayed with two serves | Rule 9.2.b |
| Let on the second serve | Only the second serve is replayed | Rule 9.2.c |
A let does not use up either of your serves: it is as if that attempt had never happened.
Frequently asked questions about the serve let ↑ index
What is a let in padel?
It is a serve that is replayed without counting as a fault or a point. On the serve, it happens when the ball touches the net or the posts and still lands in the receiver’s service box without touching the metal fence before the second bounce.
Is the serve replayed if the ball touches the net?
Yes, if after touching the net it bounces inside the receiver’s service box and does not touch the metal fence before the second bounce. The rules expressly cover a let on the first serve (Rule 9.2.b: the server gets both serves again) and a net on the second serve (Rule 9.2.c: only that second serve is replayed).
What if the ball touches the net and the fence?
It depends on the order. If it touches the net, lands in the correct box and then touches the metal fence before the second bounce, it is a serve fault and is not replayed.
What happens if the ball touches the net and does not land in the box?
It is a serve fault, just as if it had not touched the net. A let only exists when the ball lands inside the receiver’s service box.
How many serves do I have after a let on the first serve?
Two. The whole point is replayed and the server is entitled to both serves again.
And if the let is on the second serve?
Only that second serve is replayed. The server does not get the first one back.
Is there a limit to consecutive lets on the serve?
The text of FIP Rule 9 sets no maximum number of consecutive lets: it only regulates what is replayed in each case.
Glossary of the let and the serve in padel ↑ index
Tienda Padelpoint’s verdict ↑ index
If you keep one idea: if the ball touches the net and lands in the correct box without touching the fence before the second bounce, it is a let and is replayed.
What almost everybody mixes up is the order: touching the net first is not a fault; touching the fence after bouncing is. If your group has doubts, show them Rule 9 and Rule 7: the link is above.
