Padel Rules Explained – A Beginner’s Guide to How to Play

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. It is easy to start, highly social and incredibly fun to play. But for beginners, the rules can feel slightly confusing at first — especially when walls, glass and unique serving rules come into play.

If you’ve ever searched for “padel rules explained” or “how to play padel”, this guide breaks everything down in a simple and practical way. Whether you are stepping onto the court for the first time or just want to refresh your understanding, here is everything you need to know.

What Is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and metal walls. It combines elements of tennis and squash, but it has its own unique identity.

The court is smaller than a tennis court, the racket is solid without strings, and the ball can rebound off the walls after bouncing on the ground. This makes rallies longer and the game more strategic.

Basic Objective of the Game

The goal in padel is simple: win points by making the ball land twice on your opponent’s side or forcing them to make a mistake.

You score points in the same way as tennis:

15
30
40
Game

If both teams reach 40–40, it is called “deuce.” From there, one team must win two consecutive points to win the game.

A set is usually played to 6 games, with at least a two-game difference required to win the set.

How to Start a Point – The Serve

The serve in padel is one of the most important differences compared to tennis.

Here are the key rules:

The serve must be underhand.
The ball must bounce once on the server’s side before being hit.
The contact point must be below waist height.
The ball must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box.
After bouncing in the service box, it may hit the glass wall but not the metal fence.

Each player has two attempts to make a valid serve. If both attempts fail, it is a fault and the point goes to the opponent.

The serve is rotated between players every game, just like in tennis.

How the Ball Can Be Played

After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the opponent’s side before they return it. From that moment, players can use the walls strategically.

Here is how it works:

The ball must bounce on the ground before hitting the glass wall.
If the ball hits the metal fence before bouncing, the point is lost.
Players can let the ball bounce off their own back or side wall after it has bounced once on their side.

This wall dynamic creates longer rallies and allows players to defend shots that would normally be winners in tennis.

When Do You Win a Point?

You win a point if:

The ball bounces twice on the opponent’s side.
The opponent hits the ball into the net.
The opponent hits the ball out of the court without a valid return.
The ball hits the opponent before bouncing.
The ball hits the metal fence on the opponent’s side after bouncing incorrectly.

Understanding these situations helps beginners avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Can the Ball Go Out of the Court?

Yes, in advanced play, if the ball bounces on the opponent’s side and then exits the court over the wall, it can still be returned — provided the court allows for safe exit. However, this is more common in competitive environments.

For beginners, it’s enough to know that the ball must first bounce in before any wall interaction counts.

Positioning and Movement Basics

Padel is mostly played in doubles, and positioning is crucial.

At the beginning of each point, both players start behind the service line. After serving or returning, the team that wins the net position often gains a tactical advantage.

Good beginner habits include:

Moving together as a team
Communicating clearly
Avoiding standing side by side without purpose
Trying to take control of the net position

Understanding positioning early helps beginners improve faster.

Common Beginner Mistakes

New players often:

Try to hit the ball too hard
Forget to use the walls
Stand too far back
Rush to the net without preparation

Padel rewards patience and placement more than power. Learning the rhythm of the game is more important than hitting aggressive shots.

Essential Gear to Play Padel

To start playing padel, you need:

A padel racket
Padel balls
Comfortable sports clothing
Proper shoes with grip
A water bottle for hydration

Comfort plays a bigger role than many beginners expect. Lightweight clothing, breathable fabrics and practical accessories make longer sessions more enjoyable. Many players prefer simple, versatile apparel that works both on and off the court.

Why Understanding the Rules Improves Your Game

Knowing the rules is not just about avoiding faults. It helps you play smarter. When you understand wall rebounds, serve limitations and scoring structure, you make better tactical decisions.

Padel is easy to start but offers depth for those who want to improve. Mastering the basics is the first step toward enjoying the sport at a higher level.

Final Thoughts

Padel rules may seem slightly different at first, especially because of the walls and underhand serve. However, once you play a few matches, the logic becomes intuitive.

If you are new to padel, focus on understanding the serve, learning how the walls work and maintaining good positioning with your partner. Everything else will follow naturally with practice.

Padel is designed to be accessible. The rules are there to keep the game fair, dynamic and enjoyable for players of all levels.

Padel Rules Explained – A Simple Guide for Beginners