Padel is a fun, fast & social sport that’s easy to learn. The rules are simple, the rallies are long, and beginners can enjoy the game straight away. This guide breaks down the basic rules in the simplest way possible so you can start playing confidently.
1. The Basics of Padel
Padel is played on a court that’s smaller than a tennis court and fully enclosed with glass walls & metal fencing.
The game is almost always doubles: two players vs two players.
You play with a solid racket (not strings) & a low-compression tennis-style ball.
2. Scoring Works Just Like Tennis
Padel uses tennis scoring:
15 → 30 → 40 → Game → Set → Match
Most matches are best of 3 sets, each set played to 6 games.
At 40–40, many matches now use a Golden Point:
Whoever wins that point wins the game.
Simple & quick.
3. Serving Rules (Very Beginner-Friendly)
Padel serves are always underarm.
Here’s how it works:
- You must bounce the ball once on the ground
- Then hit it below waist height
- Serve diagonally into your opponent’s service box
- The serve must land inside the box to be valid
- If it hits the net & still lands in the box, it’s a let (repeat the serve)
You get two serves, just like tennis.
4. What Happens After the Serve?
Once the serve is in play:
- The ball can bounce once on the ground
- After the bounce, it can hit the glass walls
- If it hits the fence before bouncing, the point is lost
- You must return the ball before it bounces twice
The walls make rallies longer & more exciting.
5. Using the Walls
The glass walls are legal — and part of the game.
After the ball bounces on your side:
It can hit the glass wall & you can still return it.
Before the ball bounces:
If the ball hits your wall first, you lose the point.
On your opponent’s side:
You’re allowed to hit the ball so that it bounces on the court then hits the wall.
This creates angles & makes the game more tactical.
6. The Ball in Play: What’s In & What’s Out?
The ball is IN if:
- It lands inside the court
- It touches the glass wall after the bounce
- It hits the net & still goes in
The ball is OUT if:
- It hits the fence before bouncing
- It bounces twice
- It hits the roof or lights
- It goes out of the court (unless it’s a legal smash & retrieved correctly in pro play)
For casual beginners, anything that leaves the court is simply out.
7. Basic Positioning Rules
Padel is doubles-only for beginners, so positioning matters.
- One player covers the left side
- One player covers the right side
- Both try to move forward to control the net
Teams that take the net usually win more points.
8. The Most Important Beginner Rule: Communicate
Because Padel is all about teamwork, always communicate:
- “Mine!”
- “Yours!”
- “Leave it!”
- “Lob!”
Good communication wins points. Silence loses them.
9. Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Hitting too hard — control beats power
- Standing too close to the back wall
- Retreating instead of lobbing
- Not attacking the net
- Not letting the ball hit the glass when needed
- Trying only tennis-style shots
Padel rewards calm, smart play.
10. Quick Summary of the Rules
Here’s Padel in one simple list:
- Doubles only (mostly)
- Underarm serve
- One bounce allowed
- Use the walls after the bounce
- Play continues until double bounce or mistake
- Scoring works like tennis
- Communicate & play as a team
That’s it — simple, fun & addictive.
