The Rules of Playing The Service in Padel

One of the aspects of padel that appealed to me when I first started playing was how much easier the service was compared to tennis, which had been my background. That said the service in padel has some very specific rules that both set it apart and make it easier to play.

The rules of playing the service in padel:

• When playing the padel service, the server is required to stand with both feet behind the service line between the center line and the sidewall.
• The service in padel is played by bouncing the ball on the court within your designated service area and hitting the ball no higher than waist height.
• Players are permitted to play the service either standing statically or dynamically while moving toward where they want to be after the service is played.
• While standing or moving, at least one foot must be in contact with the court and the player cannot touch or step over the service line.
• After the ball has bounced, it may cross the center line or the service line before contact is made with the racket.
• Players are permitted to play the service in padel either using a forehand or backhand shot at their discretion as long as the other rules are observed.

Let’s look at each of these rules in more detail so that you don’t get caught out when you next have a game of padel.

Where Must You Stand When Playing The Padel Service?

When playing the padel service, the server is required to stand with both feet behind the service line between the center service line and the sidewall.

You are not allowed to have one foot or both feet on the line or touching the court in front of the line while serving the ball.

When the ball is being served, it should go over the net diagonally into the opposite service area. Once the ball reaches the other side, the ball should bounce inside or on the line of the service box to be counted as in.

Are Static and Dynamic Services Permitted In Padel?

Both the static and dynamic service actions are permitted when playing padel.

When serving in a static action, both feet are planted firmly on the ground when the server hits the ball.

With the dynamic service, the server can walk and step forward as the ball is being hit. As long as one foot is in contact with the court surface at the moment of playing the service.

As long as the server is not physically stepping on or over the line at the moment the racket contacts the ball, then it is permitted to serve in a dynamic manner. As long as the ball lands within the correct service box and does not go out of bounds, then it is fine to serve from either a static or dynamic stance.

How High Can You Bounce The Ball When Playing The Service In Padel

How high the ball bounces when playing service in padel is important to consider if you want a fair chance at winning the point.

While the player is getting ready to serve the ball over the net, the server must bounce the ball and play the service while the ball is at or below waist level.

It does not matter if the server chooses to just drop the ball or bounce it, as long as it is at or below the waist level of the player when contact is made with the racket.

You are not allowed to serve the ball at shoulder level and hit with an aggressive, downward forehand.

Can The Ball Cross The Center Line After Bouncing When Playing The Service In Padel

This is a fairly contentious rule in padel at the moment and is one that can potentially be exploited by skilled players.

While playing the service in padel, bouncing the ball in the correct area of the court is vital. When bouncing the ball, the server is not allowed to bounce the ball in front of the service line and the server is not allowed to bounce the ball over the centerline. When bouncing the ball, it must contact the court surface within the designated area you are playing your service from.

Where things get interesting is after the ball has bounced. When you are playing the service, the ball is allowed to bounce and move across the line before your racket makes contact with the ball. So in other words, the server can bounce the ball and make contact with the ball across the centerline.

You are permitted to let the ball drift over the center line just as long as your feet stay within the allowed side of the court and the bounce stays within the allowed side of the court.

Skilled players can use this rule to their advantage when serving from the backhand side of the court. You will be able to bounce the ball so that it crosses the centerline after the bounce and play your service down the center of the course in a way that actually angles the ball even further away from where the receiver is standing. This pulls both your opponents to the same side of the court opening space for you to exploit on your next shot.

Can You Serve Backhand In Padel

You are permitted to serve either forehand or backhand in padel. Most of us will tend to serve using a forehand as it is easier to play.

However, once you have enough skill, playing a backhand service will enable you to put a different spin on the ball which can make things tricky for your opponents.