Padel Rules Explained Simply: A Complete Beginner's Guide

May 1, 2025

If you've ever found yourself intrigued by this fast-growing racquet sport and asked, "What are the padel rules?"—you've landed in the right place. At PADELYZE, we are passionate about making padel accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re breaking down padel rules in the simplest way possible. Whether you're completely new or just need a refresher, PADELYZE has got you covered.

What Is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport that blends elements of tennis and squash. Played mostly in doubles on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court, it has grown rapidly in popularity due to its accessibility and social nature.

Padel Court Layout

Understanding the court is essential before diving into the padel rules:

Dimensions: The standard padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide.
Net Height: The net is 88 cm high at the center.
Walls: The court is enclosed with glass and mesh walls, which are part of the game.
Service Boxes: Similar to tennis, the court is divided into service boxes for serving.
Basic Equipment
Padel Racket: Solid and stringless, with perforated holes.
Padel Balls: Slightly less pressurized than tennis balls.

Core Padel Rules

1. Scoring System

The scoring system mirrors that of tennis:

Points go 15, 30, 40, then game.
Six games win a set, and two sets win a match.
At 40-40 (deuce), a deciding point (golden point) may be played depending on the rules of the competition.
Matches are usually played as best of three sets.
If a match goes to a third set, a match tiebreak (first to 10 points) is sometimes played instead.
In Golden Point situations, the receiving team chooses which player will receive the serve.

2. Serve Rules

The serve must be underhand.
You get two attempts to serve.
The ball must bounce behind the service line and land diagonally in the opposite service box.
If the ball hits the net and lands correctly, it's a let, and the serve is replayed.

3. In-Play Rules

The ball must bounce once before hitting the walls.
You can use the walls after the bounce to return the ball.
The ball can only bounce once on your side.
You cannot hit the ball twice or touch it with your body.
You may step outside the court (through the door) to return a ball in certain cases.
Only the racket may touch the ball. Touching the ball with your body is not allowed.
If the ball bounces on your side and then hits the glass or fence, it remains in play.
If the ball directly hits the walls or fence without bouncing first, it's out.

4. Let & Faults

A serve hitting the net and not landing in the correct box is a fault.
If the ball hits the wire fence or glass before bouncing, it’s out.
If the ball touches the net, lands in the correct service box, and then directly hits the fence without bouncing, it’s a fault.

5. Team Setup

Padel is almost always played in doubles (2 vs 2).
Singles matches are possible but rare and require a special singles court.

6. Side Changes

Teams switch sides after every odd-numbered game (after 1st, 3rd, 5th games, etc.).

7. Serve Position & Order

The server must stand behind the service line, within their service box.
After each point, the server switches sides, serving alternately from the right and left.

8. Special Rule: Playing Outside the Court

In some courts, players are allowed to exit the court (through the door) to return a ball if the ball bounces and goes outside the fence or glass.

9. Advanced Rules

After crossing the net, if the ball bounces in the opponent’s court and then directly hits the side fence without a second bounce, it is still in play.

You can hit the ball outside the court (over the fence) and win the point directly if it goes in without touching the opponent’s side again.

If a ball spins back over the net to your side after a good shot, you can run around the net and play it without touching the net.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Serving overhand
Letting the ball bounce twice
Hitting the net with your body or racket
Confusing tennis rules with padel

Strategy Tips for Beginners

Stay coordinated with your partner.
Use the walls to your advantage.
Maintain position: One player near the net, one near the baseline.
Communicate clearly during points.

Padel Etiquette

Shake hands before and after the match
Call balls fairly.
Applaud great plays, even from opponents.
Respect your partner's space and play.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the padel rules, you're ready to get out there and start playing. Whether you’re joining a local club or playing with friends, these simple guidelines will help you feel confident on the court. At PADELYZE, we believe in making the sport fun and approachable for everyone. So grab your racket, follow the rules, and enjoy the game!