A Newbie's Guide to the Rules of Padel

The Basic Setup

Padel is played on an enclosed court, 20 metres long, 10 metres wide, surrounded by glass and metal mesh walls. Four players: two per side. The sport is almost exclusively doubles. A net divides the court down the middle.

Feature	How it works
Players	4 total — 2 per side, doubles only
Court	20x10m, enclosed with glass and mesh walls
Net	88cm at centre, slightly higher on sides
Racket	Solid foam-filled face (no strings), perforated surface
Ball	Similar to a tennis ball, slightly lower pressure

 

Scoring: It's Just Tennis

If you know tennis scoring, you already know padel. If you don't: here's how points work.

•     A game is scored: 15 — 30 — 40 — Game

•     If both sides reach 40, it's called Deuce. You need two consecutive points to win from Deuce (Advantage, then Game)

•     First to 6 games wins a set. If it reaches 6-6, you play a Tiebreak

•     Match is best of 3 sets

 

(If you've never played tennis either: basically count your points, 1, 2, 3, 4, but call them 15, 30, 40, Game. That's it.)

The Serve

The serve in padel is nothing like the serve in tennis. There is no overhead cannonball.

•     The server stands behind the service line (not the baseline)

•     The ball must bounce once on the ground before being hit

•     The serve is hit underhand or at waist height, not overhand

•     The served ball must bounce in the diagonal service box on the other side of the net

•     If the serve hits the side or back glass before bouncing in the box, it's a fault

•     Two serves allowed, same as tennis

 

(Yes, the serve is basically a gentle tap with a bounce. Your years of perfecting a tennis serve are irrelevant here. Welcome to a level playing field.)

The Walls: The Most Important Rule

This is what makes padel unique. After the ball bounces once on the floor, it can hit the back or side glass walls and still be in play. You can and should hit it off the wall.

Here's the sequence that confuses beginners most:

•     Your opponent hits the ball over the net

•     It bounces once on your side of the court

•     It hits the back glass wall

•     You can still hit it, it's still in play

 

What you cannot do: let the ball bounce twice on the floor before hitting it. One bounce on the floor, then you must play it, whether it's come off the wall or not. The wall doesn't reset the bounce count.

You can also play the ball off the wall on your shot. Hit it into the back glass on purpose, and it comes back as a valid shot. This is a legitimate tactical play, not a fluke.

When Is the Ball Out?

The ball is out if:

•     It bounces twice on the floor before being hit

•     It lands outside the court lines after going over the net

•     It hits the mesh fence on your opponent's side without bouncing on the floor first

•     A player or their racket touches the net

 

The ball is in if:

•     It bounces on the floor, hits the glass wall, and is played by your opponent

•     It bounces in the correct box on a serve, even if it also hits the side glass

 

Let Serves

If the serve clips the top of the net and lands in the correct service box, it's a Let, replay the serve. Same as tennis.

Can You Go Through the Door?

Yes. This is real, and it happens more than you'd think. If the ball bounces on your side and goes through the door opening in the back fence (most courts have a gap), you can run out of the court and play the ball then re-enter. It's a legitimate, legal, and occasionally spectacular play. It also looks completely insane to anyone who's never seen it before.

Quick Reference

Situation	What happens
Ball bounces twice	Your point — other side wins
Ball hits back glass after bouncing	Still in play
Ball hits glass without bouncing	Out
Serve clips net and lands in box	Let — replay
Ball goes through the door	Still in play
Player touches net	Opponent's point

 

Now that you know the rules, the only thing left to do is get on court. If you're looking for somewhere to play, our guide to the best padel clubs in the US covers the top venues in every major city.

Ready to start? The Clima Clasico is the racket for players who've decided padel is their sport. Built in Spain, shipped anywhere in the US. climapadel.com.