Padel has far fewer rules than tennis — and most of them become second nature within the first half hour on court. This guide covers everything you need for your first game.
The basic idea
Padel is always played as doubles (2 vs 2) on a 20 × 10 metre court enclosed by glass walls. The goal is the same as tennis: play the ball so your opponents can’t return it legally. The key difference: the ball can rebound off the walls and still be in play. This makes rallies longer and tactics richer.
The serve
The serve is the rule beginners most often get wrong — so pay attention here:
- The serve is always underarm, below hip height.
- The ball is dropped (not thrown) and struck on the bounce.
- It must be served diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
- The server must stand behind the service line (at the middle T).
- At least one foot must stay on the ground during the serve.
- You get two attempts, just like in tennis.
A serve is a fault if:
- the ball lands outside the correct service box
- the ball touches the net and doesn’t reach the correct box
- the server steps on or over the service line
- the ball is struck above shoulder height
The ball and the walls
This is the heart of padel. Here’s how it works:
On the serve
If the served ball bounces in the service box and then hits the back wall, it’s a valid serve — the receiver must play it before it bounces a second time.
During a rally
- The ball must always hit the floor before touching a wall — floor first, then wall is allowed. Playing directly against a wall without a prior floor bounce is a fault.
- After bouncing off the floor, the ball may rebound off one or more walls — and the opposing team can still play it.
- You can even hit the ball out through a gap in the fencing if it’s flying out of reach — the famous salida por la puerta, one of padel’s most entertaining moments.
Scoring
Padel scores exactly like tennis:
- Points within a game: 0, 15, 30, 40, game
- Deuce: At 40–40 a team must win two consecutive points (advantage → game)
- Games in a set: First to 6 games, with at least a 2-game lead
- Tiebreak: At 6–6 a tiebreak is played to 7 points (continuing at 6–6 until one team leads by 2)
- Match format: Usually best of 3 sets (first to win two sets wins) — best of 5 in tournaments
Faults — when you lose a point
A point is lost when:
- the ball bounces twice before being returned
- the ball hits the net and doesn’t cross to the other side
- the ball goes out of court (except after a legal wall rebound)
- a player hits the ball twice (double hit)
- a player or their clothing touches the net
- a player plays the ball with their body instead of the racket
- the ball hits a member of your own team
Rotation rules
- The right to serve alternates after each game — the serving team switches.
- Within a team, both players serve in alternation across games: Player A serves, then next time it’s their turn Player B serves, and so on.
- Side selection is decided at the start of the match. Teams switch sides after the first set and after the second.
Key differences from tennis at a glance
| Rule | Padel | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Serve | Underarm, below hip | Overarm |
| Walls | In play, part of the game | Not present |
| Players | Always 4 (doubles) | 2 or 4 |
| Net touch | Point lost | Point lost |
| Ball out | Point lost (except post-wall) | Point lost |
| Tiebreak | At 6–6 in a set | At 6–6 in a set |
Tips for your first game
- Keep playing: If you’re unsure about a rule mid-point, play it out and discuss afterwards.
- Use the walls actively: The biggest mental shift coming from tennis. Balls that seem gone can often still be retrieved — and attacking shots off the back wall are a core part of the game.
- Remember the serve: Serving overarm is the most common beginner mistake. Always underarm.
- Talk to your partner: Padel is a team sport. A quick “mine” or “yours” decides points.
Last updated: 2026-03