Padel Rules for Beginners: Walls, Serve and Scoring
Padel borrows from tennis and squash, but its rules are easy to learn. Here is what you need to know before your first game.
Padel in one paragraph
Padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court. You serve underhand, the ball must bounce before it touches a wall on the other side, and you score like tennis.
The court
A padel court measures 20 × 10 metres and is surrounded by glass and mesh walls. The net is about 88 centimetres high in the middle. Read how this compares with pickleball in padel court vs pickleball court.
The serve
- Let the ball bounce behind the service line, then hit it.
- Contact the ball below waist height.
- Serve diagonally into the opposite service box.
- You get two attempts, like tennis. If a serve clips the net and lands in the correct box, it is a let and the serve is replayed.
Playing the ball
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the court before you hit it. After a bounce, you can use the walls:
- Your opponent’s return may bounce, hit a wall, and then come to you.
- You may let the ball hit your own back or side wall after it bounces, then play it.
- The ball must not touch the metal fence directly and bounce back into play.
What makes a point end
A point ends if the ball:
- Bounces twice on your side
- Goes out of the court after hitting the net or the floor
- Hits a wall on your opponent’s side before bouncing on their court
- Is hit by the same player twice in a row
Scoring
Padel uses tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, and game. At 40-40, many clubs use the golden point rule, where the next point decides the game. A set goes to six games, and matches are usually best of three sets. Always check the local rules before you play.
Basic positioning
The partners usually work as a pair, with one near the net and one slightly back. Move together and keep the walls in mind. Our wall play guide explains how.
Equipment
Padel rackets are stringless and solid with a foam core. Our racket guide explains how to pick one, and the padel vs pickleball comparison explains how the two sports differ.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be good at tennis?
No. Padel is easier to start than tennis because the court is smaller and the walls keep the ball in play.
Can I play singles?
Padel is almost always doubles, although some clubs allow singles on a smaller court.