Service Box (Cuadro de Saque)

The service box is your target on every single serve in padel. Miss it and you've got a fault. Miss it twice and you've handed your opponents a free point. It's a simple rectangle on the ground, but learning to consistently hit it — with purpose — is one of the game's foundational skills.

Layout and Dimensions

Each side of the padel court has two service boxes, created by three lines: the service line running parallel to the net at 6.95 meters back, the center service line running perpendicular from the net to the service line, and the net itself. The side walls form the outer boundary.

Each box measures roughly 5 meters wide by 6.95 meters deep. That's a generous target, but remember — you're hitting an underhand serve, so you don't have the luxury of blasting it in with pace. Precision and placement are what matter here.

The Diagonal Rule

Just like tennis, the padel serve must land in the service box diagonally opposite from where the server stands. Serving from the right side of the center line? The ball must land in the receiver's left-side box. The first point of every game starts from the right (the "deuce" side), then alternates.

The ball must bounce once in the service box before the returner plays it. After that initial bounce, normal play rules apply — the ball can hit the glass, the mesh, whatever. But that first bounce has to be in the box.

What Counts as "In"

Any ball that lands on any part of the service box lines is in. The service line, the center line, and even the junction where lines meet — all good. This is generous, and you should use it. Aiming for the edges of the box gives you maximum margin while still producing effective serves.

Serve Strategy and the Box

Where you place the ball within the service box matters enormously. A serve deep to the service line pushes the returner back against the glass. A serve to the "T" (where the center line meets the service line) attacks the returner's body and reduces their angle options. A wide serve that pulls the returner toward the side wall opens up the court for your partner at the net.

The best servers in professional padel treat the service box like a dartboard — they're not just trying to get it in, they're targeting specific zones within the box on every serve. The serve in padel might not be a weapon like it is in tennis, but smart placement in the service box sets the tone for the entire point.

Common Mistakes

New players often aim too centrally, making returns easy. Others serve too short, giving the returner time and space to step in and attack. The sweet spot? Aim deep and toward the corners of the service box, varying your placement to keep your opponents guessing.