So you’ve been arguing incessantly about Padel rules, and you cannot find a quick reliable source, here are the official FIP rules, straight from the guidebook, made easy to read just for you.
First and foremost, All POINTS begin with the service.
If the first service is not valid the server is allowed a second service. It must take place as follows:
- At the start of the service, the server must stand with both feet behind the service line and must remain there until the ball has been served.
- The server must bounce the ball on the ground within their service box.
- The server may not touch the service line with their feet, or the imaginary central line.
- The height of the ball being served must be at or below the waist level at the moment of hitting it, and at least one foot on the ground.
Second, balls served from the right side should pass diagonally over the net and must bounce within the lines that limit the receiving box. During the service,
- A player may not walk, run, or jump while serving. Small foot movements which do not affect the service position are accepted.
- The moment contact is made with the ball, or the intentional attempt to hit it, are considered a serve.
- If a service is unknowingly made from the wrong side, the error must be corrected as soon as discovered. All points are valid, but a fault on the first service must be taken into account.
- Before starting each set the players may choose who will serve first during the set. Once the order is established it may not be changed until the beginning of the following set.
Furthermore,
- If a player serves out of turn, the player who should have served must serve as soon as the error is discovered. All points won before the error are valid.
If it was a single service fault it is not taken into account.
In the case that the game has finished before the error is discovered the order of serve will remain as is until the conclusion of the set. - Servers do not serve until the player receiving is ready. However, the player receiving will adapt reasonably to the rhythm of the server and will be ready to receive the service when the server is ready to serve.
- Being “not ready” if an attempt has been made to return the serve, are not possible. Conversely if it can be shown that the receiver was not ready, a “fault” cannot be called.
Bonus Question
Q: What is the maximum height a player who bends their leg can hit a ball at when serving?
A: At or below the height of their waist at that moment.
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