Padel Rules Explained
Everything you need to know about padel rules - from scoring to serving to wall play. After reading this, you'll be ready to step on court with confidence.
Quick Reference
- • Always played as doubles (2 vs 2)
- • Same scoring as tennis (15, 30, 40, Game)
- • Underhand serve, must bounce before hitting
- • Walls are in play after the ball bounces
- • Ball can only bounce once on your side
Scoring
Padel uses the exact same scoring system as tennis. If you know tennis scoring, you already know padel scoring:
- Points: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, Game
- Deuce: At 40-40, a team must win by 2 points
- Games: First to 6 games wins the set
- Tiebreak: Played at 6-6 in a set
- Match: Best of 3 sets wins
The server's score is always called first. So "30-15" means the serving team has 30, the receiving team has 15.
The Serve
The serve is where padel differs most from tennis. Here are the key rules:
1. Underhand Only
The serve must be hit underhand. Contact with the ball must be at or below waist level.
2. Bounce First
You must bounce the ball on the ground before hitting it. No throwing the ball up like in tennis.
3. Diagonal Cross-Court
The serve must go diagonally to the opponent's service box, just like tennis.
4. Two Attempts
You get two serves. If the first is a fault (net, out, or wrong box), you get a second serve.
5. Where to Stand
Server stands behind the service line. Feet cannot touch or cross the line until after contact.
The Walls
This is what makes padel unique. The walls are in play, but with some important rules:
When Walls ARE in Play
- • After the ball bounces on the ground, it can hit any wall and still be played
- • You can let the ball bounce, hit the back wall, then return it
- • You can hit the ball into your own walls to send it over the net
When Walls are NOT in Play
- • On the serve: the ball cannot hit the side wall before bouncing in the service box
- • Your shot cannot hit the opponent's wall directly (must bounce first)
- • If the ball hits the wire mesh before bouncing, it's out
General Play Rules
- One bounce max: The ball can only bounce once on your side before you must return it
- Volleys allowed: You can hit the ball before it bounces (except on the return of serve)
- No touching the net: You cannot touch the net during play
- Ball hits you: If the ball hits any part of your body before bouncing, you lose the point
- Playing outside: In some cases, you can exit through the side door to retrieve a high lob - this is legal!
Common Faults
You lose the point if:
- The ball bounces twice on your side
- You hit the ball into the net
- You hit the ball out (over the walls or into the mesh)
- You hit the ball directly into the opponent's wall without it bouncing
- The ball hits you before bouncing
- You touch the net
- You hit the ball twice
Let Calls
A let (replay the point) is called when:
- The serve hits the net but lands in the correct service box
- There's interference (ball from another court, etc.)
- Players are unsure if a ball was in or out (recreational play)
Rotation and Sides
A few more things to know:
- Switching sides: Teams switch sides after every odd game (1, 3, 5, etc.)
- Serve rotation: Each player serves a full game, then it rotates to the other team
- Receiving positions: The receiving team can position themselves anywhere, but the receiver must stay on their designated side
Pro Tip
Don't worry about memorizing every rule before your first game. The basics (scoring, serving, one bounce, walls in play) are enough to get started. You'll pick up the rest as you play.