You have just delivered a powerful smash, but the ball hits the opposite mesh directly without bouncing on the ground first. This moment of doubt, frequent during your first matches, perfectly illustrates why mastering padel rules is essential to transform a simple recreational practice into controlled performance. This comprehensive guide details every subtlety of service and play to allow you to play with precision whilst anticipating the physical risks inherent in this rapidly expanding sport.
Padel in 2 minutes: principle and origin of the sport
Padel establishes itself as a dynamic hybrid between tennis and squash. Invented in 1969 in Mexico by Enrique Corcuera, this sport favours the social aspect. It is played exclusively in doubles on a closed court of 20×10 metres.
The atmosphere on the court remains resolutely convivial and accessible. Its technique, less demanding than tennis, promotes immediate enjoyment. From the first match, rallies develop naturally amongst the four players.
This discipline is experiencing explosive growth across French territory. It is currently the racquet sport displaying the fastest progression, attracting thousands of new practitioners each year.
Understanding why this racquet sport padel captivates so many enthusiasts allows better grasping of current enthusiasm for private facilities and federated clubs.
The padel court: dimensions and zones
To play well, you must first understand the enclosed space that defines this sport.
20 m × 10 m, net at 88 cm: the official FIP measurements
The official playing area forms a rectangle 20 metres long and 10 metres wide. In the centre, the net reaches precisely 88 cm in height. At the posts, it rises to 92 cm.
This is much smaller than a standard tennis court. This reduced configuration makes rallies extremely rapid and confined.
The net separates the court. Each side is strictly identical.
The walls, mesh and service zones
The back of the court is protected by a solid glass structure. On the sides, transparent walls are combined with metal mesh to offer unpredictable rebounds. This is the strategic heart of padel.
On the ground, the service boxes delimit the service. The service line is situated 6.95 metres from the net. This is where everything begins.
- Height of back walls: 3 m
- Height of side mesh: 3 m
- Material of glass panes: tempered glass
The rules of service in padel
The service is the most codified step, especially for those coming from tennis.
Spoon service, below the hip
You must let the ball bounce once. The contact is made below the belt. Use the spoon service at hip level.
The server keeps at least one foot on the ground. He must never cross the service line.
The movement must be fluid. No jumping or running during the serve.
The 2 service attempts and the fault rule
The player has two attempts. If the first fails, play the second service. A double fault loses the point.
The ball must land in the diagonal opposite box. It must absolutely not touch the net.
Going outside the box constitutes a fault. The point is lost after two consecutive errors.
Successful service vs missed service: special cases
The let ball rule applies if the net is grazed. If the bounce is good, play is repeated.
Touching the mesh after the bounce is a fault. It is a classic beginner error.
Touching the glass after the bounce is legal. Play continues normally.
The rules of play: bounce, walls, mesh
Once the ball is in play, padel becomes a game of patience and angles with the walls.
The mandatory ground bounce
The ball must always touch the opposite ground first. You can take it on the volley except on service. An initial bounce is mandatory.
If it touches a wall before the ground, it is “out”. This is a fundamental rule to remember.
Playing after the wall: what is permitted
You can let the ball hit the glass after the bounce. This gives more time to organise. Play with the glass is a tactical foundation.
You can also return the ball by striking it against your own glass. This is a very useful defensive shot.
Be careful, it is forbidden to aim at your own mesh. The ball would then be lost.
Ball in the mesh: how it is counted
The mesh makes the bounce totally unpredictable. If the ball touches it after the ground, play continues. This random bounce often surprises beginners.
It is often a winning shot because difficult to anticipate. Players often seek out this zone.
Also discover fun and original activities to compare padel with other pastimes.
Leaving the court to return the ball (the “outside” rule)
On some courts, you can exit through the door. This is necessary if the opponent’s smash goes out of bounds. This exit from the court requires great agility.
The player must return the ball to the opposite court. It is a spectacular shot much appreciated.
This rule only applies if the external space is secure. Check before running about.
Scoring and match format
If you know tennis, you will not be out of place with the score.
15, 30, 40, game: counting identical to tennis
The progression follows traditional logic: 15, 30 then 40. At 40-40, the golden point or punto de oro is played. The winner then wins the game.
This system is frequent in amateur tournaments. It allows shortening the duration of matches. It is a dynamic rule.
Here are the key moments.
| Situation | Score | Consequence |
|---|
| Tied at 40 | 40-40 | Decisive golden point |
| First point won | 15-0 | Beginning of score |
| Deciding game | 6-6 | Tie-break in 7 points |
| Super tie-break | 1-1 set | Match in 10 points |
Sets, tie-break and super tie-break
A match is played in two sets to win. You need six games to conclude. The deciding game is used at 6-6.
The super tie-break sometimes replaces the third set. It is played in ten winning points.
It is a tense format. Every point counts double.
The most frequent faults in amateur matches
Even with good intentions, certain errors recur constantly on the courts.
Touching the net with your racquet or body is forbidden. It is an immediate direct fault. Any net invasion results in loss of the point. It is also forbidden to strike the ball directly into the opposite court.
Double hitting the ball is another classic error. You can only strike once. The rule requires a single strike per team. Your partner can never intervene to help during the same stroke.
Receiving the ball on your body before it bounces is a fault. You must always move out of the trajectory. Any contact with the ball in play means loss of the point.
- Touching the net
- Ball struck before the net
- Ball touching the player
- Double bounce on the ground
Risks of padel and insurance: protecting your elbow and your partners
The pleasure of the game must not make us forget the physical risks linked to the intensity of rallies.
Epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, lurks for regular players. The impacts of the racquet put enormous strain on the tendons. Feeling pain in the elbow often signals mechanical overload. Choosing your equipment well is therefore paramount.
Accidents between partners also happen in the heat of the action. An involuntary racquet strike happens quickly. Taking out sports insurance allows you to effectively cover these unforeseen events.
It is sometimes useful to consult advice on doing sport with muscle soreness. Good recovery limits the risk of chronic injuries.
Remember to wear women’s padel outfit or men’s padel outfit that is suitable. Correct equipment avoids dangerous slips.
Mastering padel rules, from spoon service to play with the glass, guarantees smooth and secure rallies. Anticipate injury risks and protect your practice with appropriate insurance. Dominate the court from today to transform each match into a memorable victory.
