Padel Rules for Beginners

Padel is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court with glass walls. The court is smaller than a tennis court, which makes rallies longer and positioning more important than raw power.

Each point starts with an underhand serve, and after that, the ball can be played off the walls, creating situations that don’t exist in tennis. The goal is not to hit winners early, but to build the point and force mistakes.

A common beginner mistake is trying to play padel like tennis. The rules allow the walls to be used, and learning when to let the ball bounce and hit the glass is a key part of the game.

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. A match is usually played as best of three sets.

To win a set, a team must reach six games with at least a two-game difference. If the score reaches 6–6, a tie break is played. Most recreational matches use a tie break to seven points, with a two-point margin required to win.

Many clubs use the golden point format. Instead of playing advantage at deuce, a single deciding point is played. The receiving team chooses which side receives the serve. Beginners often forget this choice, even though it can strongly affect the outcome of the game. Read more

The serve in padel is underhand and must be hit below waist height. Before hitting the ball, the server must let it bounce on the ground inside their service box.

The serve must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box. If it lands outside the box or hits the net and then lands incorrectly, it is a fault. Players get two serves, just like in tennis.

A let occurs when the ball touches the net on the serve but still lands in the correct service box. In that case, the serve is replayed and does not count as a fault.

According to official rules used in FIP and Premier Padel tournaments, the only strict positioning requirement is for the server: the server must stand behind the service line inside their service box. The other three players can technically stand anywhere on the court, as long as the receiving player hits the return.

At club and amateur level, however, it is standard practice for both receivers to stand behind their service line. This isn’t always written into club rules, but it’s widely accepted and helps keep the game fair and safe.

A good beginner serve is not about speed. Focus on consistency, height over the net, and placement toward the side glass to make the return harder.

The return must be played after the ball bounces in the service box. The returner can let the ball hit the glass after the bounce and still play it, which is often the smartest option for beginners.

Trying to hit the return early without using the glass is a common mistake. When under pressure, letting the ball bounce and using the back wall gives you more time and control.

Only the receiving player may return the serve. If the partner touches the ball first, the point is lost.

One of the biggest differences between padel and other racket sports is how the walls are used.

A ball is allowed to hit your own glass after bouncing on the court, and you can then return it. This is a core part of padel defense and should be learned early.

However, you cannot hit the ball directly into the opponent’s glass or fence. The ball must first bounce on their side of the court. If it hits the wall or fence before bouncing, the point ends immediately.

The net also plays a big role. Volleys are allowed, but beginners often rush forward too early. A safer approach is to move to the net only after hitting a deep or high ball that pushes opponents back.

Many beginners lose points simply because they misunderstand the score or the rules around it. Forgetting to call the score clearly before serving often causes confusion, especially in close games.

Another frequent mistake is assuming a set is won at 6–5. Without a two-game difference or a tie break, the set continues. Players also sometimes stop playing too early, thinking a ball is out when it is still in play after touching the glass.

When in doubt, the standard padel etiquette is to replay the point rather than argue.

Padel is designed as a doubles sport and is almost always played in pairs. There is a singles version of padel, but it requires special courts that are narrower than standard ones.

These courts are relatively rare, and most beginners will never encounter them. For practical purposes, padel should be considered a doubles-only sport.

If you’re just starting out, focus on three things: serving legally and consistently, using the glass instead of panicking, and understanding when points are actually over.

Before each serve, take a second to check positioning and call the score clearly. During rallies, remember that most balls are still playable after the glass. Staying calm and letting the rules work in your favor will win you more points than aggressive shots.