Padel is easy to pick up: the court is small, the serve is underhand and the walls keep rallies going. But a few rules — especially about the walls — surprise newcomers, above all those coming from tennis. Here is everything you need for your first matches.
The basics
- Players: almost always doubles, two against two.
- Court: 20 × 10 m, enclosed by glass back walls and glass-and-mesh side walls. See padel court dimensions.
- Scoring: the same as tennis — 15, 30, 40, game; sets to six games — usually with a deciding point at deuce. See padel scoring explained.
- Equipment: a solid, perforated racket with a wrist cord, and a padel ball (slightly less pressurised than a tennis ball).
The serve
- Stand behind the service line, between the centre line and the side wall, on the correct side.
- Bounce the ball on the ground behind the service line.
- Hit it at or below waist height, with at least one foot touching the ground.
- Serve diagonally into the opponents' service box, over the net.
The ball must bounce in the service box. After that bounce it may hit the glass and still be good, but if it hits the metal mesh before the receiver plays it, it is a fault. As in tennis, you have two serves; a serve that clips the net and lands in the box is a let and is replayed — unless it then hits the mesh, which makes it a fault.
The first serve of each game is from the right-hand side, then servers alternate sides each point. Partners take turns to serve whole games, in the same order throughout a set.
The return
The receiver must let the serve bounce once before returning it — volleying the serve is not allowed. The receiver's partner can stand anywhere on their side.
How the walls work
This is what makes padel unique.
- Your shot must land in the opponents' court first. If it hits their glass or mesh before bouncing, you lose the point.
- After the bounce, the walls are in play. The ball can hit the opponents' glass (or mesh, during a rally) and they can still return it, as long as it has not bounced twice.
- You can use your own walls. You may hit the ball against your own back or side wall to send it over the net — a useful defensive shot when you are out of position.
- Only one bounce on the ground. The ball may touch several walls, but if it bounces twice on the ground, the point is over.
Beginner tip: when a lob goes over your head, let it bounce and come off the back glass rather than chasing it. The glass gives you time — use it.
Common faults
- The ball hits the opponents' wall or mesh before bouncing on their court.
- The ball bounces twice on your side before you return it.
- The ball hits you or your partner.
- You touch the net or reach over it to hit the ball (except a follow-through after hitting on your own side).
- You hit the ball twice, or both partners hit it.
- The ball hits the ceiling, lights or any fixture.
- In the serve: hitting above waist height, missing the box, or the ball hitting the mesh after the bounce.
Playing outside the court
On courts with openings in the side walls, an advanced rule lets players run out of the court to retrieve a ball that bounced in and then left the court over or through the walls. Many club courts do not allow it — agree before the match.
Padel vs tennis: the key rule differences
| Padel | Tennis | |
|---|---|---|
| Serve | Underhand, after a bounce, at or below the waist | Overhead, no bounce |
| Walls | In play after the bounce | No walls |
| Doubles alleys | None | Used in doubles |
| Deuce | Often a deciding point | Advantage (no-ad in some formats) |
More in padel vs tennis and padel for tennis players. Then follow the professionals on our padel results and rankings pages.
Frequently asked questions
Can the ball hit the wall before bouncing?
Not on the opponents' side: your shot must land in their court before it touches their walls, otherwise it is your fault. You can, however, play the ball against your own walls to send it back over the net.
Can you volley the serve in padel?
No. The receiver must let the serve bounce before returning it. Apart from the serve, you can volley any ball.
What happens if the ball hits the mesh after the serve bounces?
If the served ball bounces in the service box and then hits the metal mesh (fence) before the receiver plays it, it is a fault. Hitting the glass after the bounce is fine.
Can you touch the net in padel?
No. Touching the net or the opponents' side of the court with your body, clothing or racket while the ball is in play loses the point.