Service Fault
Also known as: service fault rules, serve fault, fault on a serve, what counts as a fault, swing and miss on serve, missing the ball on a serve, catching the toss, catching the ball toss, serve hits my partner, serve hits the net post, toss the ball and catch it
A serve is a fault if it misses the correct service box or if you swing and miss the toss. It is also a fault if the serve hits the net post, a singles stick, you or your partner before landing. A foot fault is a fault too. Catching a bad toss is not a fault.
ITF Rule 19 lists the faults. A serve is a fault if the server breaks the service rules: standing in the right place, serving from alternate halves to the diagonal box, and not foot faulting. It is also a fault if the server swings and misses. A serve that touches a permanent fixture, a singles stick or a net post before landing is a fault. So is a serve that hits the server, the server's partner or anything they wear or carry.
Some things are not faults. Under Case 1 of Rule 19, a server who tosses and decides not to swing may catch the ball by hand or on the racquet, or let it bounce. A serve that clips the net cord and lands in the right box is a let, not a fault, and is served again. A serve hit before the receiver is ready is also a let. A player who can use only one arm may release the ball from the racquet.
Two faults in a row lose the point, which is a double fault. The second serve comes from the same half as the first. In matches without officials, the receiving side calls the serve. Under The Code, the server and partner should not call their own first serve out. They must call out a second serve they clearly see out.
Tips by skill level
If the toss is off, catch it and start again. It costs nothing, and swinging at a bad toss often costs a fault.
Use a caught toss as a reset when you feel rushed, but watch the 25-second limit between points in matches that use it.
Example
The wind pushes a player's toss behind her. She catches it, resets and serves again with no penalty. On the next point her serve clips the singles stick and drops into the box, which is a fault.
Why it matters
Knowing exactly what counts as a fault prevents disputes and stops you from losing serves you were entitled to retake, like a caught toss.
Common mistakes
- Swinging at a bad toss instead of catching it and starting again
- Calling a caught toss a fault
- Treating a serve that hits the net post as a let
- The server calling their own first serve out in a match without officials
Frequently asked questions
Is it a fault if I toss the ball and catch it?
No. Under ITF Rule 19 Case 1, a server who decides not to hit the toss may catch it by hand or on the racquet, or let it bounce, and then serve again.
Is it a fault if I swing and miss my serve?
Yes. ITF Rule 19 says the serve is a fault if the server misses the ball when trying to hit it. If it was your second serve, that is a double fault.
What happens if my serve hits my doubles partner?
It is a fault. Under ITF Rule 19, a serve that touches the server, the server's partner or anything they wear or carry is a fault.
Is a serve that hits the net post a fault?
Yes. Under ITF Rule 19, a serve that touches a net post, singles stick or permanent fixture before landing is a fault. Only a serve that clips the net, strap or band and lands in is a let.
Sources
Related terms
- Double FaultA double fault occurs when both the first and second serve land outside the service box, awarding the point directly to the returner.
- Foot FaultA foot fault occurs when a server's foot touches the baseline or crosses into the court before contacting the ball on the serve. It results in a fault.
- Let (Serve Rule)A let is called when a serve clips the net cord and still lands in the correct service box. The point is then replayed with no penalty to the server.
- Serve Toss PlacementServe toss placement is where the ball is released relative to the body. It determines which serve types are physically possible to hit from that toss.
- Serving Order and SidesPlayers take turns serving whole games. Every game starts from the right (deuce) side, and the server switches sides after each point. In doubles, partners serve every fourth game, and each team keeps its receiving sides for the whole set. A toss or racquet spin before the warm-up decides who serves first.
Related guides & benchmarks
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