Padel looks simple from the sideline, but a few unique rules, especially the underhand serve and the use of the walls, confuse many beginners. This guide walks through every padel rule clearly: the court, the serve, scoring, the wall rule and when a ball is out, so you can step on court and play with confidence.
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A padel court is a 10 by 20 metre rectangle enclosed by glass walls and metal mesh. The walls are an integral part of the game, much like in squash. A low net divides the court in two, and service lines mark the serving areas.
Padel is almost always played in doubles, two players per side. The relatively small court makes it social and quick to learn.
How to serve in padel
The serve in padel is always underhand. The server must bounce the ball on the ground once, then hit it below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box.
Your feet must stay behind the service line until contact. As in tennis, you get two serve attempts, so if the first serve fails you serve again.
- The ball is bounced once before the hit
- Contact is made below waist height
- The serve goes diagonally to the opposite box
- Two attempts, like tennis
The scoring system
Scoring in padel is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40 and then game. If both sides reach 40 all (deuce), you need a two point lead to win the game.
A set is won by the first side to reach six games with a lead of at least two. At 6 all you play a tie break. A match is usually decided over the best of three sets.
The wall rule, the heart of padel
This is what makes padel special. After the ball has bounced once on your floor, it may touch your walls and you can still return it. You can even let the ball come off the wall and then hit it.
The reverse rule matters just as much: the ball you hit must bounce on the opponents floor before it touches their wall. A ball that hits the opponents wall directly without bouncing first is a point against you.
- A ball that bounced on your floor may touch your walls and be returned
- Your ball must bounce on the opponents floor before touching their wall
- You may play a ball after it comes off your wall
When the ball is out
The ball is out and gives your opponent the point if it leaves the court over the walls or through the fence openings, or if it hits a player or equipment before bouncing.
A ball touching the metal mesh on your side after it bounced on your floor is still legal to return, but if it hits the opponents mesh before bouncing on their side, the point is yours.
Common rule mistakes for beginners
Most beginner mistakes revolve around the serve and the walls. It is worth practising them from the start so you do not build bad habits.
- Serving above waist height, the serve must be underhand
- Forgetting to bounce the ball before serving
- Hitting the ball straight off the wall without a floor bounce first
- Standing too close to the net and getting caught by high balls
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Frequently asked questions
Is padel always played in doubles?
Mostly yes. Padel was designed for doubles on a small, walled court, which is what makes it so social. Singles padel exists on a narrower court but is much rarer.
How does scoring work in padel?
Scoring is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game, with advantage at 40 all. A set ends at six games with a two game lead, and a tie break at 6 all.
What is the main rule difference between padel and tennis?
The two big differences are the underhand serve in padel and the wall rule, which lets you return a ball after it touches your wall. Tennis has no walls and an overhand serve.
Can I hit the ball after it comes off the wall?
Yes, as long as the ball bounced on your floor first. After the floor bounce it may touch your walls and you are still allowed to return it.
Where can I learn and practise the rules in real games?
The best way is to play. You can find partners and open games by level and location through an app like PlayRocket, and start playing even without a fixed group.