Choice of Sides and Service

Before a padel match begins, the two teams must determine who serves first and which end each team starts from. The FIP Rules of Padel (Rule 4) prescribe how this decision is made.

The Coin Toss (or Racket Spin)

The choice of sides and service is decided by a coin toss or — more commonly in practice — a racket spin (spinning a racket and calling the direction the logo or brand name lands). This is the standard method used at all levels of padel, including professional matches.

The referee conducts the toss in supervised matches. In unsupervised club play, the players conduct it themselves.

Choices Available to the Winner

The team that wins the toss or spin has three options:

1. Serve — choose to serve first
2. Receive — choose to receive first (and let the opponents serve)
3. End — choose which end of the court to start from
4. Defer — request that the opponents choose first

The team that loses the toss (or the team that the winner defers to) then selects from the remaining options. For example:

• If the winner chooses to serve, the losing team selects which end to start from
• If the winner chooses an end, the losing team chooses whether to serve or receive
• If the winner defers, the opposing team makes their choice first from options 1–3, and the winner takes the remaining option

Warm-Up Before the First Serve

After the toss and before the match begins, both teams are entitled to a warm-up period on the court. For professional FIP events, the warm-up duration is specified in the tournament regulations. For club and recreational play, a short hit-up is standard and usually agreed informally.

Summary

Step	Detail
Method	Coin toss or racket spin
Winner’s choices	Serve, receive, choose end, or defer to opponents
Loser’s choices	Remaining options not selected by winner (or all options if winner defers)
Applies to	First service of the match and starting end