Padel's rules are simpler than tennis in some ways and stranger in others (hello, walls). Here's everything you need to walk onto a court for the first time without embarrassing yourself.
The Basics
- Played 2v2 (doubles) almost exclusively.
- Scoring is identical to tennis: 15/30/40/game, sets, deuce and advantage.
- Matches are typically best of 3 sets.
- The court is enclosed by glass and mesh walls that are legally in play.
The Serve
This is where padel differs most from tennis:
- Serves must be underarm, struck below waist height.
- The ball must bounce once in the server's own service box before being struck.
- It must land diagonally in the receiver's service box, just like tennis.
- Each player gets one fault before losing the point (same two-serve structure as tennis).
Wall Play: The Part That Confuses Everyone
The single biggest rule difference from any other racket sport:
- After bouncing once on the court, the ball may hit your own side's back or side wall before you return it — still in play.
- The ball must bounce on the court first, before touching a wall. A ball that hits the wall before bouncing on the court is out.
- You can also hit the ball directly off a wall on the fly (a volley) without it bouncing, same as any shot.
- If the ball goes over the fence entirely or hits the wall on the full without bouncing first, it's a fault.
Common Faults
- Double bounce: the ball bounces twice on your side before you return it.
- Wall before bounce: ball hits the wall before touching the court on the return.
- Out of court: the ball leaves the court entirely (over the fence/mesh) without being played.
- Foot fault on serve: stepping into the court before contact on serve.
Can You Hit the Ball Out of the Court and Still Play It?
In some club-level and casual play, if the ball exits through a gate or opening and can be played from outside the court without touching anything else, it remains in play — but this varies by venue and is often skipped at the beginner level. Check local rules at your venue.
Let Serves and Net Cords
A serve that clips the net and still lands correctly in the service box is a let and is replayed, same as tennis. This is one of the few identical carry-overs from tennis serving rules.
Positioning Etiquette
Unlike tennis, padel doubles partners typically split the court into a left-side/right-side rather than net/baseline, and communication between partners (calling shots, switching sides after wide shots) matters more than in most racket sports because of how often the ball comes off unpredictable wall angles.
What to Wear and Bring
Non-marking court shoes are mandatory at most indoor venues — see our Padel Shoes collection. Bring a towel, water, and if it's your first time, borrow a racket before buying (most venues rent them) until you know your preferred shape and weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the ball bounce off the wall before it bounces on the court?
No — the ball must bounce on the court first. A ball that hits the wall before bouncing on the court is a fault.
How many players are on a padel court?
Four — padel is played almost exclusively as doubles (2v2).
Is padel scoring the same as tennis?
Yes, identical: 15/30/40/game, with sets and deuce/advantage rules carried over directly from tennis.
Ready to play? Check our Open Play guide to find your first session, or gear up with a Beginner Pack.