Padel Rules Explained: The Complete Guide

Padel has more in common with tennis than any other sport, but the differences matter. This guide covers everything: court layout, scoring, serving, wall play, and the situations that confuse new players most.

The Court

20 metres long, 10 metres wide. Divided by a net (92cm at centre, 88cm at posts). Enclosed by glass walls at the back and sides, with wire mesh above. UK courts are typically artificial grass.

Scoring

Identical to tennis: 15 – 30 – 40 – Game. Sets are first to six games (tiebreak at 6-6). Matches are typically best of three sets.

Serving

• Underarm serve only — ball must bounce once before being struck at or below waist height.
• Serve cross-court into the opposite service box.
• Server stands between the net and the 7-metre line.
• Two attempts. If the first serve hits the fence before bouncing in the box, it's a fault.
• Ball clipping the net and landing in the box = let (serve replayed).

Ball in Play: Walls and Bouncing

• Ball must bounce once on your side before you play it (except volleys above net height).
• After the bounce, the ball can come off any wall — play it from there.
• Your shot must land on the opponent's court floor before touching any wall on their side.
• Ball bounces twice = point lost.
• In some courts, if the ball exits via a back wall door, it is still live.

Common Mistakes

• Treating walls as out. The ball is only out if it bounces twice or leaves the court. Glass is live.
• Serving from behind the baseline. The server must stand within the service box.
• Hitting the side glass before the bounce. Your shot must land on the opponent's court floor first.
• Ball hitting a player. Point goes to the opposition.

Who Governs the Rules?

The International Padel Federation (FIP) globally. The LTA is the national governing body for padel in Great Britain.