Padel rules: the complete beginner's guide

Court, serve, using the walls, faults and scoring: padel rules explained in plain language, plus the points where clubs and events tend to differ.

At first glance padel looks like tennis: racket, ball, net, the same scoring words. Then the ball bounces off the glass and comes straight back at you, and you realise it's a different game. The walls are in play, the serve is underarm, and you almost always play in fours.

This guide covers the core rules of padel in plain language, based on the general framework of the International Padel Federation (FIP). Some details vary between clubs and local events, and we point those out as we go. When in doubt, ask the organizer before you play.

Court and equipment

A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, and fully enclosed. The back walls and part of the side walls are glass (concrete on some older courts); the rest is metal mesh.

• Net: 88 cm high in the centre, 92 cm at the posts.
• Service boxes: Each half has two boxes between the net and the service line.
• Racket: Solid, perforated and stringless. Wearing the wrist strap matters for safety and is required under official rules.
• Ball: Similar to a tennis ball but with slightly lower pressure.

Padel is nearly always played as doubles. Singles courts exist, but they're rare.

Serving

The serve is where padel differs most from tennis.

1. The server bounces the ball on the ground behind their own service line.
2. They strike it at or below waist height, so the serve is underarm.
3. At least one foot must be on the ground at contact, and the feet must not touch the service line.
4. The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box.
5. You get two attempts. Miss both and you lose the point.

After landing in the box, the serve may hit the glass and is still good. But if it hits the metal mesh after the bounce, it's a fault. A serve that clips the net and lands in the correct box is replayed.

The receiver must let the serve bounce before hitting it; you can't volley a serve. For the details, see padel serve and return rules.

Playing off the walls

Once the serve is in, the walls come into play. The basic logic:

• Your shot must bounce on the opponents' side first. Only after that can it hit their glass or mesh.
• If the ball bounces on your side and then comes off the glass, you can still play it.
• You can hit the ball before it bounces (a volley) or after one bounce. As in tennis, two bounces and the point is lost.
• You may use your own walls to get the ball back over. Hitting it into your own glass so it rebounds over the net is legal.

Because of the walls, rallies tend to last longer than in tennis, and a ball you thought you'd missed can come back off the glass for a second chance. That's a big part of why beginners enjoy padel so quickly.

Ways to lose a point

The most common faults in a rally:

That last row varies the most between venues. On courts with side openings, official rules let players leave the court to retrieve the ball and play it back. Many clubs don't allow this in social play, for safety or because of how the court is built. Check before the match.

How scoring works

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

• Points in a game go 15, 30, 40, game.
• At 40–40, traditional rules play advantage. Many clubs and events use golden point instead: one deciding point at 40–40.
• A set goes to the first team to win 6 games with a 2-game lead. At 6–6, a tie-break is played.
• Matches are usually best of three sets.

For golden point, tie-breaks and super tie-breaks in detail, read how padel scoring works.

Social tournaments often skip sets and play a points total. In formats like Americano and Mexicano, a match ends when the two teams' combined points reach, say, 21 or 24. In PadelDraw you choose that total when you create the tournament, and the standings update live as scores come in.

Changing ends and serving order

• Service passes to the other team each game, and alternates within the team too, so all four players serve in turn.
• Each game starts with the serve from the right-hand side, switching sides after every point.
• Teams change ends after every odd game (1st, 3rd, 5th and so on).

Social games sometimes skip changing ends when sun and wind make no difference. Official matches don't.

Court etiquette

A few unwritten habits matter as much as the rules:

• Make sure your opponents are ready before you serve.
• Be honest on close calls; you make the call on your side.
• If your ball rolls onto another court, wait for their point to finish before fetching it.
• Meet at the net at the end for a handshake or racket tap.
• In social tournaments, enter your score promptly and accurately; other courts may be waiting on you.

FAQ

Why is the serve underarm? In padel the serve starts the rally rather than acting as a weapon, as it often does in tennis. The underarm serve keeps the start of each point balanced.

Can I play the ball off my own glass to get it over? Yes, that's allowed. What isn't allowed is your shot hitting the opponents' wall before bouncing on their side.

Can I play padel one-on-one? Singles courts exist but aren't common. Padel is really a four-player game, which is why social tournaments are such a good way to meet new people to play with.

In short

• The court is 20 × 10 metres and the walls are part of the game.
• Serve underarm, at or below waist height, into the diagonal box; the receiver lets it bounce.
• Shots must bounce on the opponents' side before touching their walls.
• Scoring follows tennis; many clubs play golden point at 40–40.
• Local rules vary, so ask before you play.

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Ultimo aggiornamento: 16 ottobre 2026