Service Box Size

The service boxes define where the ball must land during a serve and where the server must stand. Their dimensions are fixed by FIP regulations.

Service Box Dimensions

• Length: 6.95 metres from the net
• Width: 5 metres (half the court width of 10m)
• Total area: 34.75 m² per box

Each half of the court contains two service boxes, separated by the Central Service Line.

Markings

• Service line: painted parallel to the net, 6.95m from it, 5cm wide
• Central service line: painted perpendicular to the service line, dividing the two service boxes; it extends 20cm beyond the service line (towards the back wall)
• Line colour: white or black, contrasting with the surface

Where the Server Stands

The server must stand between the service line and the back wall (i.e., behind the service line, away from the net), within the half of the court corresponding to the service box they are serving into.

• For the right service box (deuce side): server stands to the right of the Central Service Line
• For the left service box (advantage side): server stands to the left of the Central Service Line

The server’s feet must not touch or cross the service line until the ball has been struck.

Service Direction

The serve is always diagonal — served from the right half into the opponent’s right service box, or from the left half into the opponent’s left service box. The sequence alternates starting from the right (deuce) side.

Ball Requirements During Serve

• The ball must bounce once in the server’s half before being struck
• It must be struck below waist height (hip level)
• After clearing the net, it must bounce in the diagonally opposite service box
• If the ball touches the net but lands correctly, it is a let and the serve is replayed

See also: Serve Rules and Faults and Lets.