This is the question that comes up on every court: "is that a fault or not?" The argument is nearly always the same: where the feet are, how high the ball is hit, and what happens if the ball touches something on the way. The rules settle it in two short rules, and here they are explained plainly. If you want fresh balls to practise your serve, see the padel balls in our shop.
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 6 (the serve) and Rule 7 (serve fault).
How do you serve in padel under the rules?
- Feet: at least one foot behind the service line, inside your box, until you hit the ball. No foot may touch the service line or the extension of the centre line.
- Bounce: the ball is bounced on the floor before you hit it, inside the service box.
- Height: contact must be at waist height or lower, with at least one foot on the ground.
- Target: the ball crosses the net diagonally and bounces in the opponent's service box, lines included.
- Two attempts: if the first serve is a fault you get a second. If that is also a fault, the point goes to the opposing pair.
How to serve in padel under the 2026 FIP rules ↑ index
You serve by bouncing the ball and hitting it at waist height or lower, with one foot behind the service line, from your box and diagonally towards the opponent's box.
Every point starts with a serve. If the first one is not valid, the player gets a second attempt. These are the conditions set by Rule 6:
One foot behind the service line: at the start, the server must have at least one foot behind the service line, between the extension of the centre line and the side wall, and stay there until the ball is hit.
Bounce first: the ball is bounced on the floor, inside the service box that corresponds to you, and then hit. You do not serve out of the air.
Waist or lower: at the moment of contact the ball must be at waist height or lower, and the player must have at least one foot in contact with the ground.
Diagonally: from the right-hand side, the ball crosses the net diagonally towards the receiver's service box and must bounce inside its lines.
Alternating sides: the first serve of a game is taken from the right-hand side into the service box on the server's left (the diagonal one) and, after every point, you switch sides.
Where the feet go on a padel serve ↑ index
At least one foot behind the service line, and no foot may touch the service line or the imaginary line extending the centre line until you have hit the ball.
What is required: at least one foot behind the service line, in the area between the extension of the centre line and the side wall, until the ball has been served.
What does not count: touching the service line, touching the imaginary extension of the centre line, or stepping into the receiving box on your own side before you hit.
If you serve from the wrong box: it is corrected as soon as it is noticed. Points already played stand.
What counts today is Rule 6 of the FIP rules: at least one foot behind the service line until you hit the ball.
How high to hit the ball on a padel serve ↑ index
At waist height or lower at the moment of contact, and with at least one foot in contact with the ground. Above the waist is a fault.
The reference is your waist: height is measured at the instant of contact, not when the ball leaves your hand or when it passes over the net.
No jumping: because at least one foot must be on the ground, a full jump serve is not valid.
The correct padel serve, step by step ↑ index
Five moves, in this order: get set, bounce, hit low, send the ball diagonally and wait for the opponent's bounce.
Get into your box. At least one foot behind the service line, without touching the line or the centre-line extension.
Bounce the ball on the floor, inside your service box. The receiver must be ready first.
Hit at waist height or lower, with at least one foot on the ground.
Send it diagonally over the net, towards the opposite service box.
Check the bounce: it must land inside the receiver's box (lines count as good) and not touch the metal fence first.
When a padel serve is a fault (Rule 7) ↑ index
It is a serve fault if you break the foot position, the height or the bounce, if you miss the ball, or if the ball bounces outside the opposite box or touches something too early.
| What happens | Fault? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You touch the service line or the centre-line extension before hitting | Yes | You break the foot position (Rule 6) |
| You hit above the waist | Yes | You break the contact height (Rule 6) |
| You miss the ball when trying to hit it | Yes | Rule 7: missing the ball when trying to hit it is a fault |
| The ball bounces outside the receiver's box | Yes | Lines count as good; outside them it is a fault |
| The ball bounces on the line of the receiver's box | No | Lines count as good |
| The ball hits you or your partner | Yes | Rule 7: the ball hits the server, their partner or anything they wear or carry |
| It bounces in the box and touches the metal fence before the second bounce | Yes | Rule 7 |
A first serve that is a fault does not end the point: you get a second. Only if the second is also a fault does the point go to the opposing pair.
“Is it a fault if I accidentally step on the service line?” Yes. If your foot touches the service line or the imaginary extension of the centre line before you hit the ball, it is a fault (Rule 6). Stand a step behind the line and you will have no problem.
“Is it a fault if the ball hits me after it bounces?” Yes. If the ball hits the server, their partner or anything they are wearing or carrying, it is a service fault (Rule 7). If it was the first serve, you still have a second one.
Frequently asked questions about the padel serve ↑ index
How do you serve in padel in 2026?
You bounce the ball on the floor and hit it at waist height or lower, with at least one foot behind the service line and without touching the line. The ball crosses the net diagonally and bounces in the opponent's service box.
Can you serve above the waist in padel?
No. The FIP rules require the ball to be at waist height or lower at the moment of contact. Hitting it higher is a serve fault.
Where do your feet go on a padel serve?
At least one foot must be behind the service line, in your box, until you hit the ball. No foot may touch the service line or the imaginary extension of the centre line.
Can you jump when serving in padel?
Not completely: the rules require at least one foot in contact with the ground at the moment of contact, so a full jump serve is not valid.
How many serves do you get in padel if you fault the first?
Two. If the first serve is a fault, the server gets a second. If that is also a fault, the point goes to the opposing pair.
Does a ball landing on the line count as good?
Yes. The lines of the service box count as good: it is only a fault if the ball bounces outside them.
Glossary of the padel serve ↑ index
Tienda Padelpoint's verdict ↑ index
If you keep one idea: bounce, hit at waist height or lower, and do not touch the service line. With those three things the serve is almost never a fault.
The rule is simple, but it causes plenty of arguments because the serve is the only shot in the match with such specific rules. If your group has doubts, show them the text of Rule 6: the link is above.
