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You win the toss. What are your choices?
Winning the toss gives you one choice: serve, receive, or end. The other pair choose the rest.
Before the match you win the racket spin. What may you choose?
Winning the toss gives you one choice: serve, receive, or end. The other pair choose the rest.
Why
The winner of the toss chooses one of three things: to serve, to receive, or which end to start at; the other pair then chooses from what remains. Most pairs choose to serve, because the serving pair starts every point at the net. Some prefer to receive and go for the early break, and on outdoor courts with sun or wind, choosing the end can matter more than either. Whichever you choose, agree it before the warm-up so the warm-up sets up the first game.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Choose to serve. Starting at the net is the easiest way to win the first game and settle down.
Intermediate
If the other pair have a weak returner, serve. If they have a weak server, receive and go for the early break.
Advanced
On a sunny outdoor court, take the end where you will be lobbed into the sun for games two and three rather than one and two: the sun end is worth more later in the set.
Common questions
Before the match you win the racket spin. What may you choose?
Serve, receive, or end; the other pair take the rest. Winning the toss gives you one choice: serve, receive, or end. The other pair choose the rest. The winner of the toss chooses one of three things: to serve, to receive, or which end to start at; the other pair then chooses from what remains. Most pairs choose to serve, because the serving pair starts every point at the net. Some prefer to receive and go for the early break, and on outdoor courts with sun or wind, choosing the end can matter more than either. Whichever you choose, agree it before the warm-up so the warm-up sets up the first game.
Why not serve, receive and end: all of it?
You choose one thing. The other pair get the remaining choice.
What should a beginner do here?
Choose to serve. Starting at the net is the easiest way to win the first game and settle down.
How does this change for an advanced player?
On a sunny outdoor court, take the end where you will be lobbed into the sun for games two and three rather than one and two: the sun end is worth more later in the set.
What do the rules say?
The winner of the toss chooses to serve, to receive, or the end from which to start. The other pair choose from the remaining options.
Puzzles like this one
Can 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.
beginnerThe ball bounced then hit your own back glass. Still in play?
One bounce on the floor, then any number of walls. Only a second floor bounce ends the point.
advancedThe smash sent the ball out through the side opening. Chase it?
If the court has an opening, you may leave through it and play the ball back, before it bounces a second time.