Padel rules explained: A complete beginner’s guide

Matchpoint competitions writer Joshua Foster, a member of the UK’s home of padel, tennis & pickleball competitions, provides all you need to know about padel, one of the most popular sports on the planet.

What is padel?

Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, combining the strategy of tennis with the fun and pace of squash. 

Played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls, padel offers a fast, social, and tactical way to stay active.

The basic rules of padel

1. How to start a point

• Play begins with an underarm serve.
  
• The server must let the ball bounce once before hitting it.
  
• The serve must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box.
  
• The ball must be below waist height when struck.
  
• If the ball hits the side fence before bouncing, it’s a fault.
  

Each player gets two serves, just like in tennis.

2. Scoring system

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

• 15, 30, 40, game.
  
• A set is won by the first team to reach six games with at least a two-game lead.
  
• If the score reaches 6–6, a seven-point tiebreak decides the set.
  

Matches are typically best of three sets.

3. Using the walls

One of the most unique padel rules is that players can use the walls.

• The ball can bounce off the glass after hitting the ground.
  
• Players can return the ball after it rebounds off their own wall, similar to squash.
  
• However, the ball must not hit the fence directly; it must bounce first.
  

This adds a tactical layer that rewards positioning, anticipation, and creativity.

4. Serving rules in detail

• The server must stand behind the service line.
  
• Both feet must stay behind the line until the ball is hit.
  
• The serve must land diagonally in the opponent’s box.
  
• The ball may touch the glass wall after landing in the box; this is legal.
  
• If it hits the wire fence first, it’s a fault.
  

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5. Let serves

If the ball clips the net but still lands in the correct service box, it’s called a “let”, and the serve is replayed.

6. Ball in play

Once the serve is in, players can hit volleys, groundstrokes, or use the walls strategically. The ball remains in play as long as it:

• Bounces once on the court.
  
• Does not hit the ground twice.
  
• Does not touch the fence or walls before bouncing.
  

7. Winning the point

You win a point when your opponents:

• Fail to return the ball before it bounces twice.
  
• Hit the ball out of bounds.
  
• Hit the ball into their own side of the net.
  
• Hit the fence before the ball bounces.
  

Equipment and court size

• Court Dimensions: 10m wide x 20m long, surrounded by glass and mesh fencing.
  
• Net Height: 88 cm in the center.
  
• Rackets: Solid with holes and no strings.
  
• Balls: Similar to tennis balls but slightly lower pressure.
  

Key padel tips for beginners

• Always move with your partner, padel is all about teamwork.
  
• Learn to use the back glass effectively.
  
• Stay patient and focus on placement, not power.
  
• Practice your serve consistency, it sets the tone for every point.
  

Common padel rule mistakes

• Serving overarm (must be underarm).
  
• Stepping on the service line before hitting the ball.
  
• Letting the ball hit the fence directly after the bounce.
  
• Forgetting that the walls are part of play, not out of bounds.
  

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