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Let on the second serve. First or second serve again?
A let replays the serve it happened on. Fault, then let, means second serve again.
Your first serve was a fault. Your second serve clips the net and lands in the box. What do you serve now?
A let replays the serve it happened on. Fault, then let, means second serve again.
Why
A let on the serve replays that serve, not the whole point. So if you have already faulted, and the second serve is a let, you take another second serve: the first-serve fault stands. The exception is a let called during the rally for a hindrance: that replays the whole point from a first serve, since the point had begun. Two different lets, two different consequences, and this is the one players most often get wrong.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Fault, then net cord in: you serve your second serve again. Nothing has changed.
Intermediate
A hindrance during the rally is different: the whole point is replayed with two serves. Keep the two apart in your head.
Advanced
If the serve is repeatedly catching the net, you are hitting it too flat. Add height and slice rather than hoping for a let.
Common questions
Your first serve was a fault. Your second serve clips the net and lands in the box. What do you serve now?
A second serve: the let only replays that one serve. A let replays the serve it happened on. Fault, then let, means second serve again. A let on the serve replays that serve, not the whole point. So if you have already faulted, and the second serve is a let, you take another second serve: the first-serve fault stands. The exception is a let called during the rally for a hindrance: that replays the whole point from a first serve, since the point had begun. Two different lets, two different consequences, and this is the one players most often get wrong.
Why not a first serve: a let resets the point?
A let on the serve replays that serve only. The earlier fault stands.
What should a beginner do here?
Fault, then net cord in: you serve your second serve again. Nothing has changed.
How does this change for an advanced player?
If the serve is repeatedly catching the net, you are hitting it too flat. Add height and slice rather than hoping for a let.
What do the rules say?
A let on a serve replays that serve only. A let called during the rally replays the whole point with two serves.
Puzzles like this one
You have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.
intermediateThey cannot play the side glass. Where do you serve?
Serve at the weakness you have found, not at the space you can see.
beginnerCan you volley the return of serve?
The return of serve must bounce. It is the one ball in padel you are not allowed to volley.