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Rules

Padel: rules

Padel is played in pairs on an enclosed court: the ball must cross the net and bounce once on the opponents' side, after which it may be played off the walls. Scoring follows tennis, with games and sets.

Importance 5 out of 5Importance rating
RacketWiki EditorsVerified 24 October 20261 source

Serve

  • The server bounces the ball on the ground and strikes it at or below waist heightSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 6, points 2 and 4 · tier 1
  • The server keeps at least one foot on the ground when striking the ballSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 6, point 4 · tier 1
  • The serve goes diagonally and must bounce in the receiver's service boxSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 6, point 5 · tier 1
  • Two attempts are allowed at each serveSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 6 · tier 1

Scoring

  • Points, games and sets are counted as in tennis: 15, 30, 40, gameSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 1, Option 1 · tier 1
  • At deuce, an event may use advantage, golden point or star pointSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 1, Options 1 to 3 · tier 1
  • Golden point: a single deciding point at the first deuce, with the receiving pair choosing which side receivesSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 1, Option 3 · tier 1
  • Star point: up to two advantages are played after deuce, then a single deciding pointSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 1, Option 2 · tier 1

Rallies and the walls

  • After the ball bounces on your side you may play it off your own walls before returning itSource: Rules of Padel, Rules 12.3 and 14.1(b) · tier 1
  • A return must bounce in the opponents' court before touching their walls or mesh; it may first come off the hitter's own wallsSource: Rules of Padel, Rules 13.1(g) and 14.1(b) · tier 1
  • A volley is allowed, except when returning the serveSource: Rules of Padel, Rules 8.1 and 14.1(a) · tier 1

Faults and losing the point

  • A point is lost if the ball bounces twice on your sideSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 13.1(c) · tier 1
  • A point is lost if a player touches the net, or the ball strikes a player, before it is deadSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 13.1(a), (j) and (k) · tier 1
  • A served ball that bounces in the box and then touches the mesh before the second bounce is a faultSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 7.1(e) · tier 1

Doubles

  • Padel is played as doubles, two against twoSource: Rules of Padel, Rule 3.1 · tier 1
  • Partners alternate serving games in a set order, and each player receives from one side for the whole setSource: Rules of Padel, Rules 6.8, 8.2 and 8.3 · tier 1
  • TennisSame scoring. Padel counts points, games and sets as tennis does.
  • PickleballSmall-court doubles. Both are compact doubles games often played at the same clubs.
  • SquashWalls in play. Both use walls to keep the ball in play.
  • Platform tennisEnclosed court, solid paddles. Both are doubles games played inside a screened court where the ball can be played off the enclosure.

Sources

  1. Rules of Padel, International Padel Federation, Revision applicable from 1 January 2026padelfip.comOfficial rulebook or governing body (tier 1 of 5)