Padel return of serve rules: can you volley it?

You cannot volley a padel serve. Under padel return of serve rules, the ball must land in the correct service box before you hit it. Return it before the second floor bounce. The LTA's beginner rules distinguish this first return from volleys later in the rally.

If you are used to tennis volleys, a gentle serve can tempt you to reach forward and take it early. Wait for the landing. An underarm serve still has to bounce before you return it.

Must the ball hit glass before you return it?

No. After a valid serve lands, you can return it directly or wait for a glass rebound. Both are legal if you hit before the second floor bounce. The Hazlemere club guide describes the two options.

Hitting the glass is not another floor bounce. A serve can land in the box, reach the back glass and come towards you. You can still return it before it lands again. Our padel glass-defence guide covers reading that rebound.

Where can you stand to receive?

Under FIP Rule 3, both receivers may stand anywhere on their team's side. The service box limits the serve's landing, not where you wait.

Choose a spot where you can see the bounce and move towards a rebound. Try a few practice serves there. If you keep finding yourself crowded by the glass, adjust your starting position and compare.

Can partners swap receiving sides during a set?

For ordinary points, choose your receiving order in the first receiving game. Alternate returns within each game and keep the order through that set and tie-break. FIP Rule 8 allows changing it for the next set.

Golden and star points allow side choice without swapping positions. In mixed doubles, Rule 1's deciding-point receiver must be the same sex as the server. Agree your format before playing. Our padel scoring guide introduces points, games and sets.

What if the serve touches you before it bounces?

FIP Rule 8 awards the server the point if a serve hits either receiver or their racket before bouncing. Under Rule 9, a prior net touch, or a touch on a post within the game area, makes subsequent player or equipment contact a net serve. Replay the first serve if it was a first-serve let; repeat only the second if it was a second-serve let.

Keep your racket clear while judging where a serve lands. Catching or blocking the ball can change the ruling you expected. Our padel serve rules cover the server's contact height, line and fence faults.

A short receiving exercise

Ask a partner to serve gently while you concentrate on the sequence:

• Let the serve land in the correct box, then return it directly.
• On a suitable serve, wait for the glass rebound and return before another floor bounce.
• After a few returns, discuss whether your starting spot made either option harder.

Once you can follow the first bounce without rushing, add pace or a target to the exercise. Keep that timing intact as the return gets more demanding.