One of the first things you need to learn in Padel is the "Rules of the Game". If you are an ex-tennis or squash player, you will find many similarities. This includes, most of the rules, keeping score, and the ball itself (although it has less pressure than your typical tennis ball).
With that said, learn "The 20 Most Important Rules of Padel" below:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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STARTING THE GAME
RULE #1. CHOOSING SIDES? WHO SERVES?
The choice of sides and the right to serve in the first game is decided by "a draw".
The pair who win the draw have the right to choose between;
a) The side of the court, in which case the other pair can choose to serve or receive,
b) Serving or receiving the service, in which case the other pair choose the side of the court,
c) Letting their opponents choose first.
QUICK TIP: How to Play a Draw: A normal rally is played without a proper serve (optional). After the point goes over 3 rallies, the winners of that point get dibs on choosing.
This game requires 4 players and is played in pairs.
Two players stand in the areas located on either side of the net. The server puts the ball into play and the receiver returns the ball.
The receiver may stand in any part of their area of the court as can the partner of the receiver and the partner of the server.
QUICK TIP: Positioning of the Server Partner: It is always recommended for the partner of the server to stay up at the net.
When the number of games played is an odd number, players change sides. If an error is made and the players do not change sides they should rectify the error as soon as it is discovered to follow the correct order of play.
(Maximum rest time between games is 90 seconds).
The "Perfect Positioning" of the server as well as his/her partner is explained in the video below.
THE SERVE
Which of the two partners will serve first is decided by the players who have the right to serve in the first game of each set. At the end of the first game, the pair receiving begins serving, and this rotation continues for the duration of the set.
Once the service order has been determined, it cannot be changed until the start of the next set.
The players who have the serve decide which of the two will serve first at the start of each set, and the service is then taken in turns.
If a player serves out of turn, the player who should have been serving must serve as soon as the error is discovered. All points accumulated prior to the error are valid, but if there was only one service fault prior to the error's discovery, it will not be counted. If a game is finished before the error is discovered, the service order remains (in error) until the end of the set.
RULE #4. NO. OF SERVES
If the first serve is invalid, the server is permitted to serve again. The second serve comes from the same side as the first and comes right after it.
RULE #5. THE SERVE
The serve must be carried out in the following way.
a) The server must bounce the ball behind the service line and in the area between the central line and the side wall.
b) The player who serves (the server) must have both feet behind the service line between the central service line and the side wall. The ball is served over the net diagonally into the opposite service area, the ball must bounce inside or on the line which limits the service box. The first serve being from the right hand side after which the ball is served from alternate sides.
c) At the moment of serving the player must hit the ball at or below waist level and at the time of hitting the ball must have at least one foot on the ground.
d) The server may not touch the service line with their feet, nor enter the boxed area delimited by the continuation of the central line given that the serve is diagonal.
e) A disabled player with only one arm may bounce the ball using the racket.
f) When serving the player (server) may not walk, run, or jump, small movements which do not affect the initial stance not being considered a change of position.
g) Should the player miss the ball when trying to hit it, the service will be considered as taken.
h) If the ball is served inadvertently from the wrong side, the error should be corrected as soon as it is discovered. All points obtained in this situation are considered valid however, if only one service fault has been made this should also count.
The "Serve in Padel" video below can guide you further.
RULE #6. SERVICE FAULT
The following are considered service faults:
The server infringes RULE#5. (see THE SERVE above)
The server completely misses the ball when attempting to serve
Once served, if the ball bounces outside the lines of the service area of the player receiving service. The lines are counted as in
Once served, if the ball hits the servers partner
Once served, if the ball passes over the net, bounces and touches the fence which marks the boundary of the opponents' court before the second bounce (service only)
Once served, if the ball touches one of the walls in the service area of the server even when later the ball goes over the net and into the opponents area
If the ball bounces incorrectly and it is not possible to hit or recuperate it
If the server takes more than 25 seconds to serve following the previous point
RETURN OF SERVE
RULE# 7. RETURN ORDER
The players who receive the service in the first game of each set determine who will receive the serve first. Until the end of the set, that player will continue to receive the first serve of each game.
The players alternate receiving the serve; once decided, the order cannot be changed during the set but can be changed at the start of the next set.
If the order of receipt of serve is changed during a game by the players receiving the serve, the game continues in this manner until the end of the game in which the error occurred. The receiving players must follow the initial order of play in the following games; if the error is discovered when the wrong player returns the service, the receiving players lose the point.
RULE #8. SERVICE RETURN
a) The player who returns the serve must wait until the ball bounces in their service area and hit it before the second bounce.
b) If the ball bounces twice inside the area even after hitting one of the [back] walls the service is considered good and the point goes to the side who served.
In installations with "edges" (in the case of the balling hitting the corner or edge which forms the union between the wall and the lateral wall with the fence) the serve will only be considered good if after bouncing the ball hits the mentioned edge/ corner and carries on in the direction of the receiver.
c) If the receiving player hits the ball before it bounces or is a fault in the service they lose the point.
The "Where to Return" video below can guide you further.
RULE #9. PREPARATION OF THE RECEIVER
The server must not serve until the player who is receiving the serve is ready and if the receiver is not ready, or makes no effort to return the ball, the server cannot claim the point even if the service was good.
Likewise, the receiver cannot claim the point if the service is out. The receiving player may stop play if not ready. However the 25 second rule, RULE#6, must be respected.
RULE #10. A SERVE TOUCHED BY A PLAYER
If the player who is receiving the service or their partner is hit by, or touches the ball with the racket before it bounces, the point is won by the server.
RULE #11. REPETITION OF A POINT OR "LET" BALL
a) The ball touches the net or the net posts (if inside the area of play) and then falls in the area of the receiver of the serve, as long as it does not touch the metal fence before the second bounce.
b) If after the ball has touched the net or posts (if inside the area of play) it then hits either player or any part of their body
c) A "let" is played if the person receiving the serve is not ready (RULE#9).
If the "let" is produced in the first service this should be repeated. If the "Let" is produced in the second service the server only has the right to one more serve.
A point being played is a "let" under the following conditions:
If the ball splits or breaks during the game.
If play is interrupted by unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the players.
The player who during the game considers that a situation in which a "let" is required must immediately make it known to the umpire, not letting play continue, as the right to stop a point is lost once the point has finished.
The umpire can order the repetition of a point in which case the server has the right to two serves.
RULE #12. INTERFERENCE
When a player is disturbed by anything out of their control with the exception of the installations of the court or partner a "let" must be played and the point repeated.
If a player deliberately or involuntarily disturbs an opponent during play, in the first case the umpire will concede the point to the opponents and in the second will order a "let" when the point is won by the player who created the disturbance.
SCORING
RULE #13. SCORING
When a couple have won the first point the score is 15, When they win the second point the score is 30. When the third point is won the score is 40 and the fourth point won is counted a game except in the event that both couples have won three points each when the score is then 40 all or deuce.
QUICK TIP: Golden Point: Often when played amongst friends, they may choose "golden point" in order to play more sets quicker. This essentially means that the winner of the 40 all or deuce point wins the game. There is no advantage!
The next point is called "advantage" in favor of the winners of the point and if the same couple wins the next point they win the game. If they lose the point the score returns to 40 all or deuce. And so on until one couple wins two consecutive points.
The first couple to win 6 games with a minimum of a two game advantage wins the set. In the case of a draw at 5 all the players must play two more games until one pair wins 7-5 but if a draw is reached at 6-6 the pair with a two game advantage will win unless a "tie-beak" has previously been agreed upon. (RULE #14).
Matches may be the best of 3 or 5 sets. In matches which are the best of 5 there can be an additional rest period of 10 minutes after the 3rd set if requested by one of the couples.
RULE #14. "TIE-BREAK"
When previously established in the event of a draw at 6 all a "tie-break" is played.
The "tie-break" is won by the first couple to win 7 points as long as there is 2 point advantage.
The first service in a "tie-break" is taken from the right hand side of the court by the player who would have served normally and who only serves once. The service then goes to the opponents who have 2 services but take the first serve from the left hand side of the court.
Players change sides every 6 points (set) and have 25 seconds to do so.
The winners of the set with a "tie-break" win the set 7-6
The service of the following set is started by the couple who did not start serving in the tie-break.
DURING THE GAME
RULE #15. BALL IN PLAY
The ball is hit alternatively by either player of each pair.
The ball is in play from the moment it has been served (unless it was out or let) and remains in play until the point has been decided. This occurs when the ball touches the walls of the opponents' side of the court directly or the metal fencing, bounces twice on the ground or when having been hit by a player it bounces correctly on the opponents' side and having passed the limits of the court bounces a second time.
A player can play the ball into the opponents' side making it bounce and then leave the court by the upper limits.
NOTE: The players can leave the court and hit the ball as long as it has not bounced for a second time. In order to do so the court must meet a series of conditions:
a) Both sides of the court should have two central entrances.
b) Each entrance should measure a maximum of (32.28 in. x 78.74 in. / 0.82 cm. x 2 meters ) and a minimum of (28.34 in. x 78.74 in. / 0.72 cm. x 2 meters ).
c) There should be no physical object outside the court in a minimum space of (2 meters / 78.74 in. width), (4 meters / 157.48 in. length) on both sides and a minimum of (2 meters / 78.74 in. height) above the net height.
If the ball passes the net, bounces in the opponents court, leaves the limits of the court, and comes back into play having hit any object outside the court, the player who hit the ball out of the court is considered to have won the point even though their opponent could have returned it.
If the ball passes the net and having passed into the opponents court goes out of the court through a hole or flaw in the metal fencing, or remains caught in it, the point is won by the player who hit the ball.
A player can hit the ball against any of their walls and make it pass over the net into the opponents' court except for the serve.
A ball which bounces in the angle (corner) formed by one of the walls of the "U" and the ground it is considered good. (The ball known colloquially as "egg" is good).
RULE #16. VOLLEY
Any player can volley the ball, except for the serve.
RULE #17. BALL WHICH BOUNCES ON AN INSTALLATION
If the ball bounces in any of the installations having bounced in the court, the ball will remain in play and should be returned before it bounces in the court for a second time.
If the ball bounces off the lights or the roof, in the case of covered courts, the point finishes.
RULE #18. CORRECT RETURN
The return is correct:
a) If the ball touches the net or its posts (if they are inside the area of play) and then bounces into the opponents' court.
b) If the ball after bouncing in the court and then hitting one of the walls returns to the court of the player who hit it and the player hits it, as long as they or any part of their clothes or the racquet have not touched the net, its posts or the court of the opponents.
c) If as a result of the direction and force of the shot, the ball bounces in the opponents' court and goes out of the limits of the court or hits the roof or lights or any other object not part of the installations of the court.
d) If the ball in play hits any object situated in the opponents' court (another ball, any part of their clothing or even the racquet). The point will be won by the person who played the shot.
e) If the ball bounces in the opponents court and afterwards touches the metal fence or any of the walls. The opponent should return it before it bounces for a second time in their court.
f) Any scooped or pushed balls will be considered good as long as they have not been hit twice and the impact occurs during one movement.
RULE #19. LOST POINT
A team loses a point:
a) If one of the players, their racquet or anything they are carrying touches any part of the net, including the posts and the vertical middle post, or the opponents part of the court, including the metal fence while the ball is in play. The middle vertical post situated in courts without doors is considered to be an integral part of the court up until (0.92 cm. / 36.22 in.). From (0.92 cm. / 36.22 in.) the vertical middle post is considered neutral zone so the players can hold onto it.
If the ball bounces for a second time in the court before being returned
If the ball is volleyed back before it has passed the net
If a player hits the ball in such a way that it directly hits any of the walls of the opponents' court, the metal fence or any object outside the court
If the player returns the ball, it hits the net or its posts and then the ball does bounce in the opponents' court
If a player hits the ball twice (double hit)
If the ball in play hits the player or anything on them except the racquet
If a player hits the ball and this touches any of the metal fence of the court of their own court
If they touch the ball hitting it with the racquet
If they jump over the net while the point is in play
Only one player may hit the ball. If both players of a pair either simultaneously or consecutively hit the ball they will lose the point
NOTE: It will not be considered a double hit when both of the players try to hit the ball simultaneously and only one hits it or when the other hits their partner's racquet
RULE #20. (EXCEPTION)
In some courts there is a space between the posts holding the net and the fencing. If the ball goes down said area it will only be considered good if the umpire considers the ball was higher than the net.
CONCLUSION
Remember that the most important rule of Padel is to have fun! The rules mentioned above may seem complicated at first, however, you will get the hang of them after only a few sessions. Also Padel has a social front to it that most sports do not have. Therefore, some rules are often agreed upon amongst friends.
For a quicker guide to Padel Rules, see "Rules of Padel - A Quick Guide (2022)"
Did you find this blog helpful? If so, leave a comment below!
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