Underarm Serve Rule in Padel

Padel serves differ fundamentally from tennis in that they must be underarm. The server holds the racket below waist height and strikes the ball upward. The racket head must be at or below the wrist at the moment of contact. Overarm or overhand serves are illegal in padel and result in a fault. The underarm requirement levels the playing field and creates the distinctive padel game style emphasizing quick court movement and reflexive shot-making. Servers must also keep at least one foot behind the baseline and ensure the ball bounces once on the service box before passing the net. The underarm serve is less powerful than tennis serves, so controlling placement and angles becomes crucial. New players transitioning from tennis often struggle with this rule, attempting overhand serves out of habit. Proper technique involves a smooth upward motion with the arm extended, striking the ball waist-high or below. Mastering underarm serve consistency is fundamental to padel competency.