Tennis Serve Rules for Beginners: Faults, Lets & Legal Serves

Serving for the first time can be quite perplexing. Even though you know that the ball should go into the service box, it can still be a question of what position to adopt or whether you commit a fault or not, and what to do if you touch the net.

The beginner tennis serve rules will make your start more effective and will help you avoid unnecessary point loss due to simple faults.

This article explains the basic rules regarding service position, foot faults, let service, underarm serve, ball toss, and service order, giving you several helpful examples.

Table of Contents

The Basic Serve Rules Every Beginner Must Know

These six rules will apply to all the serves you make. They conform to ITF rules, which are standard tennis rules.

Stand behind the baseline: Both feet should be behind the baseline until just as the ball hits the racquet. A foot fault occurs when either one or both feet cross the baseline or are touching it before hitting the ball.
Serve from the correct side: For the first time of a match, start from the position which lies between the center mark and the singles sideline at one side of the court. For the first game, start from the right-hand side of the court.
Aim for the diagonally opposite service box: The ball must land in the opposite service box across the net. For example, when you serve the ball from the right side of the court, the ball should land in the left service box of your opponent.
Hit the ball without letting it bounce: You should hit the ball without making it bounce. Serving the ball after bouncing it is considered an illegal serve.
Use your two serve attempts: In most situations, you have one first serve and one second serve. If both of them are faults, that is called a double fault, and that is how you lose the point.
Retake a qualifying let serve: Should the ball hit the net but land within the proper service box, the serve will be repeated. But if the ball strikes the net and falls outside the service box, it is going to be regarded as a fault.

These tips provide you with a good starting point to start with. The official tennis rules are established by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Where to Stand When Serving

The server is located behind the baseline, which is the line at the back of the court. Neither foot should cross this line before the racquet strikes the ball. The server must remain between the centre mark (“centre mark” outside of the US) and the singles sideline.

From the perspective of the server, the baseline stretches from left to right across the feet. From the deuce court, the centre mark is on the left side; from the ad court, the centre mark is on the right side.

Tennis serving order starts with determining which sides to use. The server serves the first point of each game from the right (deuce court). The second point is served from the left (ad court); sides alternate after every point.

Most beginners stand too close to the center mark and end up in the wrong place. You must look at your score each time before you serve: if you have an even number of points, then you serve from the right-hand side; if you have an odd number of points, you serve from the left-hand side.

What Is a Fault in Tennis?

A fault in tennis is when the serve does not meet the regulations and goes into the wrong service box. The common reasons for a fault include the ball being hit into the net, serving from outside the box, and a foot fault.

A fault gives an opportunity for a second serve.

What Causes a Fault	What Happens Next
The ball lands outside the service box, long or wide	First fault: take a second serve. Second fault: double fault, point lost.
The ball hits the net and lands outside the box	Same as above.
The serve goes into the net and never crosses	Same as above.
Your foot touches the baseline or steps out of position before contact	Counts as a foot fault, which is a fault.
You swing and miss the ball	Counts as a fault.
The ball hits you or a permanent fixture before it bounces	Counts as a fault.

Example: Your first serve goes outside the service line; hence you have to perform the second serve. The second serve strikes the net and is not within the limits. You get a double fault.

What Is a Foot Fault?

A foot fault is a type of fault that occurs due to the positioning of your feet during serving. Here is the tennis foot fault rule in three points:

One foot makes contact with the baseline before striking the ball.
One foot makes contact with the surface within the baseline.
One foot makes contact with the imaginary extensions of the center mark or the sidelines.

Many beginners think the rule only covers the baseline. The side limits count too. In professional games, foot fault is called either by a line judge or a device.

In non-professional tennis games, foot faults are not usually declared unless the violation is evident. Nonetheless, foot faults are violations, so consider them faults during your recreational match as well.

A foot fault is one single fault. A foot fault results in the loss of the point only on your second serve.

What Is a Let Serve in Tennis?

A let serve is a situation where your serve hits the net cord but lands within the correct service box. Your serve gets replayed, and the let serve is not counted as a fault.

In case a let occurs on your first serve, you need to play your first serve again. In case it happens on your second serve, you will be asked to repeat your second serve, but not receive a new first serve.

There is no limit to the number of lets that can happen during one point. A net hit does not necessarily amount to a let in tennis. In case the ball hits the net and lands in an incorrect box, the serve becomes a fault.

A similar situation is also a fault in case the ball hits the net and doesn’t cross it. In professional tennis, the umpire or an authorized net-cord technology can recognize a let serve.

For recreational tennis, it’s possible to come to an agreement on some solution to an unclear situation. For more information about this topic, see what is a let in tennis.

First Serve vs Second Serve — What Is the Difference?

Each point earns two serves. The first serve begins the rally, and a fault is just that. The second serve is your final chance. The rule for first and second serves in tennis differs only in this respect: a second serve fault results in a double fault.

A double fault occurs when both serves miss their mark. The receiving player gets the point without making contact. For example, you may serve out, and then hit your second serve into the net, resulting in a score of 0-15.

This is how it affects the strategy. Normally, the first serve will be hit harder and with more risk, while the second will be conservative, since missing results in losing the point.

Who Serves First and How Is Serving Order Decided?

Players flip a coin or hit the ball with their rackets before the match to choose who will commence serving. The winner may then choose to either serve or return the ball, or end from where they would like to play from.

For example, if you have won the toss and choose to receive, your opponent starts serving the first game. The server for the first game serves the whole game, the opponent serves the second game, and so on, alternating games.

At the beginning of every new set, the player who received the last game of the previous set is the one who serves first.

In doubles, the teams rotate the games, and within a team, the partners rotate the serve every other game. For further information about the court, go to Tennis Court Layout Explained.

Can You Serve Underarm in Tennis?

Yes, an underarm serve is perfectly legal according to ITF rules. There is no rule dictating an overarm service technique. You may serve from anywhere, provided that you follow other serve rules, such as serving from behind the baseline and within the right serve box.

The underhand serve is performed by many players in professional tennis and even Grand Slam tournaments. Most people see it as a controversial tactic, but it does not break any rule.

An underarm serve is easier for a beginner to execute successfully, and it is completely acceptable in amateur games. Although an overarm serve is preferred eventually, there is no regulation that demands it.

What Happens If the Receiver Is Not Ready?

Do not serve until the receiver signals readiness to play. When the receiver is obviously unready and fails to make any effort to return the ball, the players can ask for a let, and the serve will be replayed.

Example: your opponent is busy tying his shoelaces, and the ball goes past him.

When the receiver hits back the served ball, whether the hit is successful or unsuccessful, the receiver is regarded as ready to receive the ball and the point is played.

It is unfair to the spirit of the game to rush the receiver to receive the ball. In social games, eye contact acts as a sign of preparation.

Can You Toss the Ball and Not Hit It?

Yes. You can throw the ball up and decide not to hit it. In the event that you make a bad toss of the ball, you can either catch the ball or allow it to fall without trying to hit it. This alone does not constitute a fault.

This rule assists those people who find it difficult to master the tossing of the ball. For instance, if the ball moves too far from where you stand, you can decide to stop that particular toss and restart.

The critical difference here is whether you have attempted to strike the ball. If you miss the ball in your attempt to serve, that is a fault. In case you decide to stop the toss, you can start all over again.

Common Serve Rule Mistakes Beginners Make

Apply these corrections to ensure you don’t make the common mistakes.

Serving from the wrong side. Always look at the score prior to serving. Total serves mean right foot; odd total serves mean left foot.
Touching the baseline before contact. Position yourself way back from the line before serving and check your foot positioning prior to each serve.
Treating the second serve like the first. Allow for more clearance and hit toward the center of the service box.
Serving before the receiver is ready. Make eye contact with the receiver, or wait until they’re ready.
Thinking an uncancelled toss is a fault. If you do not hit the ball when tossing, it’s not a fault, and you can try again.

Learning tennis serve rules for beginners at the beginning will save you from losing easy points in your first game.

Tennis Serve Rules Quick Reference

Rule	Summary
Where to stand	Behind the baseline, between the center mark and singles sideline
Which box	Diagonally opposite service box
Attempts	Two serves per point
Fault	Serve lands out, nets, or misses the ball
Double fault	Two faults in a row; receiver wins the point
Let	Net cord serve that lands in; retake
Foot fault	Foot touches the baseline or crosses the sideline extension
Underarm serve	Legal
Ball toss	Cancel without penalty before you swing
Receiver	Wait until they are ready

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Serve Rules

1. What are the basic tennis serve rules for beginners?

You should be behind the baseline in the proper serving box when striking the ball diagonally across to the other service box. Two chances will be given per point, but two consecutive faults will win the point for the opponent.

2. Where do you stand when serving in tennis?

The player must stand behind the baseline on the right side of the center mark and singles sideline. You must begin serving from the right side of the court during the commencement of each game and thereafter move to the other side.

3. Which service box do you serve into?

You will serve diagonally. Serve from the right side to the left service box. Serve from the left side to the right service box.

4. What is a fault in tennis?

A fault is any unsuccessful service attempt, such as a ball hit out of the box, a ball that hits the net, a foot fault, or a miss. You will be given a second serve if you have one fault.

5. What is a double fault in tennis?

A double fault is when you fault two serves in a single point. It means that the player receiving the serve automatically gets the point.

6. What is a foot fault in tennis?

A foot fault occurs when a player’s foot touches the baseline or goes past the center line or side line extension mark before striking the ball.

7. What is a let serve in tennis?

The serve hits the cord of the net but lands in the proper service box. You repeat the same serve, irrespective of the fact that it was either your first serve or second serve.

8. How many times can you serve in tennis before losing the point?

Generally, you are allowed to serve twice in one point. If you serve twice and it is a fault, it is called a double fault, and your opponent wins that point.

9. Can you serve underarm in tennis?

Yes, underhand serves are legal according to ITF rules. However, you need to serve from the right spot and serve the ball into the diagonal opposite service box.

10. Can you cancel a ball toss and retoss it?

Yes. Let the ball fall on its own and restart the play without committing a fault. Once you start serving, you cannot call for a cancelation.

11. What happens if the receiver is not ready when you serve?

If the receiver makes no effort to play the ball back, the referee calls a let and gives another chance for the server to serve again. An effort by the receiver to return means that the point is valid.

12. Can you serve before the receiver is in position?

You should not. Serving for the purpose of surprising the receiver is in violation of the rules. Let happens if there was no effort on their part.

13. What happens if you serve from the wrong side of the court?

The server will go to the appropriate side when an error is spotted. Any point played will remain valid, and a faulty serve will continue being a fault regardless of sides.

14. Does the serve have to clear the net?

Yes. A serve that hits the net and remains on your side of the court is a fault. A net cord serve that hits the target area is a let.

15. Can the ball bounce before you serve it?

No. You should always hit the ball before it bounces. Hitting the ball after it has bounced is not considered a legal serve.

16. Who serves first in a tennis match?

The coin toss or racquet spin will determine the first decision, and the winner of the toss will have the right to choose whether to serve, receive, or choose his court of preference, given that the opponent will make the other decision.

17. How does serving order change between games?

The players switch service games alternately. A new game begins with the player who received the last game of the previous set.

18. Can the serve hit the center service line or sideline and still be in?

Yes, because if any part of the ball lands on the lines that bound the proper serving box, then the serve is considered a good serve.

19. What is the correct order of serving sides during a game?

For the first serve, start from the right-hand side of the court, which is also referred to as the deuce court. For each point thereafter, alternate serving left, right, left, and right.

20. Can you hit the serve before it reaches the highest point of the toss?

Yes, because you can hit the ball anywhere after it leaves your hand. However, many players choose to hit it at the top.

Final Words

Tennis Serve Rules for Beginners is a great guide to start tennis. Learn how to keep score in tennis so that each serve counts towards the score on the scoreboard. Our guide to tennis rules explains all the other rules of the game, while tennis basics for beginners will teach you how to create your first rally.

Tennis Serve Rules for Beginners Explained Simply