Padel Rules

Essential rules for casual padel play. These are the basics to get you started—professional rules may vary slightly.

The Game

Basic Match Format

Padel is played in doubles on a court about 1/3 the size of a tennis court. Teams of two face off across a net, using solid paddles to hit a depressurized tennis ball.

Court: 10m wide × 20m long with walls integrated into play.
Teams: Two players per side serving diagonally to opponents.
Rally: Rally continues until one team fails to return or hits the ball out.

Service

Serving Rules

The ball must be served underhand below waist height, bouncing on the service box before crossing the net. Players serve twice per game (both players from same team per game).

Good serve: Underhand, bounces in diagonal service box, below waist when hit.
Faults: Missing the service box, hitting above waist, or bouncing outside the box = fault.
Two faults: Loss of point. First fault allowed; second fault ends the point.
Net serve: If ball touches net but lands in service box, it's replayed.

Scoring

Scoring System

Points use a 0-15-30-40-Game count (tennis-style). Win by 2 points ahead at deuce (40-40).

Point sequence: 0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → Game (need 4 points minimum).
Deuce: At 40-40 (deuce), one team must win by 2 points (called "advantage" then "game").
Games to win: First to 6 games with 2+ game lead wins a set.
Match: Typically best-of-3 sets in casual play.

Court Play

Walls, Rebounds, and Faults

The walls are IN PLAY—a key difference from tennis! You can bounce the ball off walls before returning, but use your smarts; out-of-bounds is still out.

Wall play: Ball bounces off back/side walls and is still in play. Wall is your friend!
Out of bounds: If ball bounces out past the baselines or sidelines (even off a wall), it's out.
Above the wall: Hitting the ball above the wall (into the metal mesh) = out.
Volley: You can hit the ball in mid-air without bouncing first.
Double bounce rule: Easy version: none! Unlike tennis, return on volleys is always allowed.

Play

Net Touches During Play

The net is part of the game in padel play. If the ball touches the net during a rally (not on serve), it's still in play and you must continue.

Net touch (rally): Ball touches net and lands in opposition court = play continues, no penalty.
Net touch (volley): You volley and ball clips net but lands in = still valid, play on.
Swinging into net: If you swing and miss, hitting only the net = loss of point.
Player touches net: You or your paddle touches the net during play = loss of point.

Positioning

Basic Court Positioning

Good court positioning helps your team play better. While casual play is flexible, here's the standard setup:

Serving team: One player at baseline (server), one closer to net (net player).
Receiving team: Both players positioned to defend—often split at baseline and slightly back.
After serve: Server advances to net to partner up for the rally.
Net control: Teams near the net have the advantage; push forward when you can.
Movement: Always move together as a team—don't leave gaps between you and your partner.

Back To Game About Padel Shuffle