Official Padel Rules (FIP)

Official rule (FIP):
Padel is a sport played between two pairs of players on a rectangular enclosed court, where the ball can be played off the walls. The scoring system is the same as in tennis, and the rules, except those specifically defined for padel, are similar to those of tennis.

padel.how comment:
This single paragraph explains why padel often feels familiar to tennis players at first — but only at first. The walls and the enclosed court completely change how rallies develop, which is why many “tennis instincts” stop working after the first few games.

Official rule (FIP):
The objective of the game is to send the ball over the net into the opponent’s court in such a way that the opponents are unable to return it in accordance with the rules.

padel.how comment:
This sounds obvious, but beginners often forget the last part: “in accordance with the rules”. Many points in padel end not because of winners, but because the ball hits the opponent’s wall before bouncing or is played illegally.

Official rule (FIP):
The padel court is a rectangle 10 metres wide and 20 metres long, divided into two equal halves by a net. The court is enclosed by walls and fencing.

padel.how comment:
The enclosure is not a detail — it’s the foundation of the sport. The small size and walls are why positioning, teamwork, and patience matter more than power.

Official rule (FIP):
The net divides the court into two equal parts. The height of the net at the centre shall be 0.88 metres and 0.92 metres at the ends.

padel.how comment:
The lower net compared to tennis explains why volleys and overheads are so dominant once players reach the net — and why defending teams rely heavily on lobs.

Official rule (FIP):
A line parallel to the net shall be drawn at a distance of 6.95 metres from the net on each side. This line defines the service area.

padel.how comment:
Most disputes about serving position happen here. Players often stand too close to the line or step on it unintentionally, especially when trying to add speed to the serve.

Official rule (FIP):
Padel balls shall be rubber balls with a uniform outer surface. They must comply with the specifications approved by the International Padel Federation.

padel.how comment:
Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but behave slightly differently. Using proper padel balls matters more than beginners think, especially for bounce and control.

Official rule (FIP):
The padel racket shall be solid, perforated, and without strings. Its maximum length, including the handle, shall be 45.5 cm, and its maximum width shall be 26 cm.

padel.how comment:
This explains why padel rackets feel so different from tennis rackets. The lack of strings and the solid surface are key reasons why control and touch play such a big role.

Official rule (FIP):
Players must use a safety cord or strap attached to the handle of the racket to prevent it from slipping from the hand.

padel.how comment:
This rule is enforced strictly in official matches. At club level, it’s often ignored — until an accident happens. The strap is about safety, not comfort.

Official rule (FIP):
Padel is played between two pairs of players. Each pair occupies one side of the court.

padel.how comment:
This confirms that doubles is the standard format. Singles padel exists only on special courts and is outside the scope of standard FIP rules.

Official rule (FIP):
Apart from the server, who must comply with the serving position rules, players may take up any position on their side of the court.

padel.how comment:
This is one of the most misunderstood rules. Officially, there is no requirement for receivers to stand behind the service line — that practice exists because of convention, not regulation.

All points begin with the serve. If the first service is not valid the server is allowed a second service. It must take place as follows:

1. At the start of the service the player serving must stand with one foot behind the service line, between the imaginary prolongation of the central line of serve and the sidewall (service box) and must remain there until the ball has been served. 
2. The server must bounce the ball on the ground to serve, within the corresponding box in which they are to serve. The ball may not cross the service line or the imaginary line until it is struck.
3. The server may not touch the service line with their feet, nor the imaginary central line.
4. The height of the ball being served must be at or below the waist level at the moment of hitting it, and the player must have at least one foot in contact with the ground.
5. The ball is served from the right side of the court it should pass diagonally over the net towards the receiving box of service of the person receiving the ball. It must bounce within the lines that limit this box. In the first instance the serve must go into the receiver’s box located at his left side, and, when one side wins the point, it is time for the following service and the ball must go into the receiver’s box located at his right side, and so on alternatively.
6. At the moment contact is made with the ball, or in an intentional attempt to hit it, it will be considered a serve.
7. If a service is inadvertently made from the wrong side, the error will have to be corrected as soon as is discovered. All points are valid, but a fault on the first service must be taken into account.
8. Before starting each set the players may choose which one of them will serve first during the set. Once the order has been established it may not be changed until the beginning of the following set.
9. If a player serves out of turn, the player who should have served must do so as soon as the error is discovered. All points won before the error are valid. If there has been a single service fault up to the time of the error it will not be taken into account. In the case that the game has finished before the error is discovered the order of serve will remain as is until the conclusion of the set.
10. The server will not serve until the player receiving is ready. However, the player receiving will adapt within reasonable to the rhythm of the server and will be ready to receive the service when the server is ready to serve. 
11. It will not be possible to allege a “not ready” call if an attempt has been made to return the serve. Conversely if it can be shown that the receiver was not ready, a “fault” cannot be called. 

padel.how comment:

Most beginner serve arguments come from three places: foot faults (Rule 6.3), “waist height” (Rule 6.4), and people starting the motion while the receiver is still turning around (Rule 6.10–11). A practical habit that avoids drama: before serving, make eye contact with the receiver and wait for a clear “ready” posture—especially in social matches where people chat between points.

Rule 6.5 is the one that decides which service box you aim for, and it also explains why the serve alternates left/right within the game based on points won. If you ever forget, look at your score: even points from the right, odd points from the left (same logic players use in tennis).

1. The serve is a fault if:
2. a) The server infringes Rule 6 “The Service”, points 1) to 6). 
3. b) The server misses the ball when trying to hit it. 
4. c) The ball bounces outside the receiver’s service box (the lines are counted as good). 
5. d) The ball hits the server, his companion or any object worn or carried by either. 
6. e) The ball bounces in the receiver’s service box and touches the metallic fence around the court before the second bounce. 
7. f) The ball bounces in the receiver’s service box and bounces out of court directly through the gates of a court without a safety zone and therefore with no out-of-court play authorized. 

padel.how comment:

Point (c) is your quick “lines are in” reminder: if the ball clips the line of the correct service box, it’s good. In real matches, this is where players guess wrong because the bounce is fast—so agree before the match whether you’ll replay close calls or give the benefit to the receiver.

Point (e) catches a lot of beginners: a serve can bounce correctly in the service box and still be a fault if it then hits the metal fence before the second bounce. That’s why many players aim for a deep serve that stays away from the side fence after the bounce, especially on faster courts.

1. The player receiving the serve must let the ball bounce within the service box before returning it.
2. The return must be made after the first bounce and before the second.
3. Only the player designated to receive the serve may return it. If the partner touches the ball, the point is lost.
4. If the ball bounces in the service box and then goes directly out of court through an authorised opening, the point is won by the server.
5. If the ball bounces in the service box and then hits the metallic fence before the second bounce, the return is not valid and the point is won by the server.

padel.how comment:

Rule 8.3 is one of the strictest in padel and causes many unnecessary arguments in social games. Even a slight touch by the non-receiving partner — racket, clothing, or body — ends the point immediately. There is no “let it go” exception.

Points 4 and 5 are often confused. If the ball leaves the court through an authorised opening after a correct bounce, the server wins the point.

But if it hits the metal fence first, it is also the server’s point. From the receiver’s perspective, this means low, controlled returns are safer than aggressive ones when the serve is fast.

1. A “let” is called when the ball touches the net during the serve and then lands correctly in the service box.
2. In the case of a let, the serve must be replayed.
3. If the ball touches the net and does not land in the correct service box, it is a fault.

padel.how comment:

This rule is simple on paper but surprisingly emotional in practice. Many beginners instinctively call a fault as soon as the ball touches the net. In padel, net contact during the serve is irrelevant — only the final bounce matters.

A useful habit in friendly matches: always say “let” out loud and replay the serve immediately. Hesitation is what usually creates disputes, not the rule itself.

1. The ball is in play from the moment the service is made until a point is decided.
2. The ball must bounce on the opponent’s court before hitting any wall or fence in order to be returned.
3. After bouncing on the court, the ball may hit the walls or fence and remain in play.
4. The ball may be returned directly or after hitting one or more walls on the player’s own side of the court.

padel.how comment:

Rule 10.2 is the foundation of padel logic: you can never hit the ball directly into your opponent’s wall or fence. The bounce on the court always comes first. This is the rule most often broken by players transitioning from squash.

Rule 10.4 explains why padel rallies last longer than tennis rallies. Using your own glass is not a defensive trick — it’s a core part of the sport.

A point is lost if:
a) The ball bounces twice on the court.
b) The ball is hit before crossing the net.
c) The ball is hit twice by the same team.
d) A player or any object worn or carried by them touches the net while the ball is in play.
e) The ball hits any part of the player’s body or clothing.

padel.how comment:

Net contact (Rule 11.d) is enforced strictly in official matches. Even light contact with the net after playing a volley ends the point, regardless of whether it affected the rally.

Rule 11.e catches many beginners by surprise. If the ball touches you — even unintentionally — the point is over. There is no “play on” exception.

1. In courts where authorised, players may leave the court to return the ball after it has bounced in their own court.
2. The ball must be returned before the second bounce.
3. Out-of-court play is only allowed through authorised openings.

padel.how comment:

Out-of-court play is one of padel’s most spectacular features, but it is not universal. Many club courts do not allow it due to safety or layout. Always clarify this before the match starts.

Even where allowed, this rule rewards anticipation more than speed. Players who react early rarely need to sprint blindly outside the court.

1. The scoring system in padel is the same as in tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game.
2. When both pairs have won three points, the score is “40 all” (deuce).
3. After deuce, a pair must win two consecutive points to win the game, unless a different scoring system has been agreed in advance.
4. A set is won by the first pair to win six games, provided there is a margin of at least two games.
5. If both pairs reach six games, a tie break is played unless otherwise specified.

padel.how comment:

Rule 13.3 is where many amateur matches quietly diverge from official rules. Some leagues or clubs use Golden Point or other formats, but under FIP rules, advantage play remains the default unless explicitly agreed beforehand.

If nothing is said before the match, assume traditional scoring. Changing the scoring format mid-set is not allowed and is one of the most common sources of post-match arguments.

1. The tie break is played when the score in a set reaches six games all.
2. The first pair to reach seven points wins the tie break, provided there is a margin of at least two points.
3. The serving order in the tie break is as follows: the player whose turn it is to serve begins with one point, after which each player serves two consecutive points in turn.
4. Players change ends every six points during the tie break.

padel.how comment:

The serve order in tie breaks confuses many players. The key detail is that the first server serves only one point, not two. After that, the two-serve rhythm begins.

Changing ends every six points is often forgotten in club matches, especially when courts are enclosed and feel symmetrical. In official play, this change is mandatory.

1. Matches are normally played as the best of three sets.
2. The match is won by the pair that wins two sets.
3. Alternative formats may be used if agreed in advance by the competition organiser.

padel.how comment:

At amateur level, alternative formats are common: one-set matches, super tie breaks, or time-based matches. None of these are “official” FIP formats, but they are valid if clearly agreed before play begins.

From a player’s perspective, knowing the match format in advance matters for pacing and risk management. A one-set match rewards aggression much more than a full best-of-three.

1. Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is finished.
2. Players may not delay play unnecessarily.
3. Reasonable breaks are permitted between points, games, and sets, in accordance with the rules.

padel.how comment:

This rule exists to prevent tactical delays. In friendly matches it’s often ignored, but in competitive play, excessive pauses can lead to warnings or penalties.

1. Coaching is permitted only during authorised breaks, in accordance with competition regulations.
2. Players may communicate with their partner during play.

padel.how comment:

Partner communication is not only allowed — it’s essential. Short calls like “mine”, “leave”, or “back” are part of normal play and fully legal.

Coaching rules vary widely between amateur leagues and professional events. Always check competition-specific regulations rather than assuming.

1. Players must behave in a sporting and respectful manner at all times.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal abuse, or deliberate rule violations may be sanctioned.
3. Penalties may include warnings, loss of point, loss of game, or disqualification, depending on severity and repetition.

padel.how comment:

This rule exists primarily for competitive environments, but it sets the tone for all padel. Most conflicts at club level don’t come from rule misunderstandings — they come from tone, body language, and frustration after mistakes.

Importantly, intent matters. Officials consider whether behaviour is accidental, emotional, or deliberate when applying penalties. Repeated minor misconduct can be punished more severely than a single major incident.

1. In cases not expressly covered by these rules, the decision of the referee or tournament official shall be final.
2. The International Padel Federation is the ultimate authority for interpretation of the Rules of Padel.

padel.how comment:

This rule explains why arguing rarely changes anything in official matches. Once an official has made a decision, play continues. Protests, if allowed, are handled after the match — not during it.

For amateur players, the takeaway is simple: agree on interpretations before the match whenever possible. Doing so avoids invoking authority mid-game.

1. Matches may be supervised by referees or officials appointed by the competition organiser.
2. Officials are responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining order on court.
3. Their decisions are final during the match.

padel.how comment:

In most club matches there is no official, which is why clear communication and mutual respect become even more important. When there is no referee, the rules still apply — but enforcement depends on player agreement.