Padel Rules: Serving, Scoring, Walls and Common Faults

Padel becomes much easier to follow once you separate three ideas: where the ball must bounce, whether it is the serve or a rally, and whether the ball has already crossed the net. This guide covers the rules most UK club players need without inventing a separate “recreational” scoring system.

The LTA's official rules overview is the primary beginner reference. The International Padel Federation publishes the full rules in its official documents library. Competition regulations may specify alternative scoring or match formats.

Court and match format

Padel is normally played two against two on a court measuring 20 metres by 10 metres. A net divides the court, and the surrounding glass and metal enclosure can form part of a rally.

The net is 88 centimetres high at the centre and 92 centimetres at the sides. The service lines run parallel to the net 6.95 metres away from it. A centre line divides each side into two service boxes.

Matches are commonly best of three sets, but social sessions and competitions may use shorter formats. Check the organiser's rules before play.

Starting a point: the serve

The first point of each game is served from the right-hand side. The server must:

1. Stand behind the service line and within the correct half of the service area.
2. Bounce the ball before striking it.
3. Hit underarm at or below waist height.
4. Keep at least one foot in contact with the ground at impact.
5. Send the ball diagonally into the opposite service box.

The server alternates right and left after every point. One player serves the entire game. Service passes to the other pair for the next game, and the players maintain the serving order selected for the set.

Two service attempts are allowed. A failed second attempt is a double fault and awards the point to the receiving pair.

The receiver must let the serve bounce before returning it.

When a serve is in or out

A serve is valid when it lands in the correct diagonal service box and then behaves legally.

• If it bounces in the box and then touches the glass, play continues.
• If it bounces in the box and then touches the metal cage, the serve is a fault.
• If it misses the correct box, it is a fault.
• If the server strikes above waist height, fails to bounce the ball, or commits a foot fault, it is a fault.

If a serve touches the net and then otherwise lands legally, a let may be called and the serve replayed. The detailed outcome can depend on what the ball touches after landing, so use the applicable competition rules when a case is disputed.

The serve-rules guide contains more examples.

Rally rules

Once the serve has been legally returned, players may volley the ball or play it after one bounce.

A legal return must cross the net and bounce in the opponents' court before touching their wall or cage. If it hits their glass or cage first, the return is out.

On your side, after a legal ball bounces once in the court, it may rebound from the glass or cage. You must return it before it bounces on the floor a second time.

You do not have to wait for a wall rebound. After the ball crosses the net, you may:

• Volley it before the first bounce, except when receiving serve
• Play it after the floor bounce but before it reaches the enclosure
• Let it rebound from the glass or cage and then return it before the second bounce

Padel has no no-volley zone. Players may volley close to the net, but they cannot touch the net while the ball is live or hit the ball before it crosses to their side.

Using your own walls

After the ball has bounced on your side, you may return it directly over the net or use your own glass wall so that it then crosses the net into the opponents' court.

The cage is not interchangeable with the glass for this type of return. Players should learn the distinction on court rather than treating every part of the enclosure as the same surface.

For practical rebound examples, see padel wall rules.

Scoring

Standard padel scoring follows tennis:

At 40-40, traditional advantage scoring requires one pair to win two consecutive points. Some competitions use an approved alternative deciding-point format, and the organiser should state that before the match.

Every rally awards a point to the pair that wins it. The receiving pair does not need to win the right to serve before it can score.

A set is commonly won at six games with a two-game lead. At 6-6, a tie-break is usually played. In a standard tie-break, the first pair to seven points with a two-point lead wins.

See padel scoring explained for service rotation and worked examples.

Losing the point

A pair loses the rally when, among other faults:

• The ball bounces twice on its side before being returned.
• Its return does not cross the net.
• Its return hits the opponents' wall or cage before bouncing in their court.
• A player, their clothing, or something they carry is touched by the ball.
• A player or racket touches the net while the ball is live.
• Both partners hit the ball during the same return.
• A player deliberately hits the ball twice.
• A return lands outside the permitted playing area without a legal out-of-court continuation.

Do not use the broad shortcut “all metal is out”. During a rally, a ball that bounces correctly and then reaches the metal cage can remain live. The order of contacts is what matters.

Lets and interruptions

A let means the point or serve is replayed. Common examples include an eligible net-cord serve or an external interruption such as a ball entering from another court.

Stop immediately when there is a genuine safety issue. Do not finish the rally and then retrospectively request a let because the outcome was unfavourable.

If players disagree in an unofficiated social match, consult the venue rules or replay the point by agreement. In organised competition, the referee or supervisor applies the official rules.

Out-of-court play

Some courts allow players to leave through the openings and return a ball that has bounced legally before travelling out. This is permitted only where the court and surrounding safety area meet the requirements and the organiser allows out-of-court play.

Do not attempt it on a court without an appropriate clear area.

Service and receiving order

Before a set, each pair chooses its serving order. That order remains fixed for the set. One player serves an entire game; the opposing pair serves the next game.

The receiving pair also establishes which partner receives on each side for the set. The same receiver takes serves directed to that side until the set ends. These procedural rules prevent pairs from changing receivers to gain an advantage during a game.

Five rules beginners should remember

1. Bounce the ball before serving and strike at or below waist height.
2. Let the serve bounce before returning it.
3. During the rally, return the ball before its second bounce.
4. A return must bounce in the opponents' court before touching their enclosure.
5. Every rally awards a point, whether your pair served or received.

For technique and movement rather than formal rules, continue with how to play padel. If you have not booked a session, the UK beginner's guide covers venues, equipment, and what to expect.