· 3 min read
Padel Rules: The 10 Essential Things You Must Know
From the serve to net play, this guide summarizes the 10 padel rules every player—from beginner to advanced—needs to know.
The 10 Padel Rules You Need to Know to Play (and Win)
Padel is social and fun, but to enjoy it to the fullest and avoid unnecessary debates, you need to be clear on the rules. While there’s a full rulebook, these 10 essentials are the foundation every player must master.
1. The Serve: Underhand and Diagonal
The point starts with the serve. Key points:
- Pre‑bounce: You must let the ball bounce once before hitting it
- Low impact: Contact must be at or below waist height
- Position: At least one foot on the ground, behind the service line
- Direction: Serve must travel diagonally, bouncing in the opponent’s service box
2. Scoring: Like in Tennis
The sequence is 15, 30, 40, and Game. At 40‑40 it’s “deuce,” requiring two consecutive points to win the game. Remember many places use the Golden Point, where the next point at 40‑40 wins the game. More on padel scoring.
3. The Ball Must Bounce First
For a ball to be valid, it must always bounce on the opponent’s side before touching any wall or wire fence. If your shot hits a rival wall or the fence directly without first bouncing, the point is yours.
4. The Walls Are Your Allies
Once the ball has bounced on the opponent’s side, it may rebound off one or more walls and still be in play. You may hit it after it rebounds from the wall to send it back. Using the walls is the essence of padel!
5. The Wire Fence: Mostly Off‑Limits
Simple rule: if the ball, after bouncing on the opponent’s side, touches the wire fence before you hit it, the point continues. However, if your return hits the opponent’s fence directly, you lose the point.
6. Double Bounce = You Lose the Point
If the ball bounces twice in a row on your side, the point goes to the opposing pair. Get there before the second bounce.
7. Don’t Touch the Net!
During a point, no player may touch the net, the posts, or invade the opponent’s side with the racket or body. Doing so loses the point automatically.
8. Serving and Returning Order Must Be Respected
At the start of each set, each pair decides who serves first. That order must be kept for the entire set. Same with returning: stick to your side for the whole set.
9. Change Ends on Odd Games
Players change ends when the total of games in the set is odd (e.g., 2‑1, 4‑3, 5‑0). In the tie‑break, change ends every 6 points.
10. Common Faults That Cost You the Point
- The ball hits you or your partner
- You hit the ball twice in a row
- The ball doesn’t clear the net
Conclusion
Knowing these 10 rules gives you the confidence to play anywhere with anyone. They’re the basis of a fluid, fair, and—above all—fun game!
Want to apply these rules without worrying about the score? Use padellog to record your matches. The app handles it so you can focus on enjoying and improving.
