The rules of the game of Padel: the complete guide to playing better

Doubles play, spoon serve, tennis-inspired scoring system...
Discover all the rules that make a padel match a real pleasure.

Player positions

Padel is played in doubles. The player who receives the serve can stand anywhere in his own camp, as can his partner who is not receiving the serve. The server's partner can also stand anywhere in his own camp. Only the server must be behind the baseline, to the left or right of the center line. The receiver places himself anywhere on the court, diagonally across from the server.

Points

Points are counted in the same way as in tennis: "15" when a pair wins a point, "30" when they win a second point in the game, "40" for winning a third point.

Depending on the competition, whether national or international, the "decisive point" rule may - or may not - apply to 40 games. For information on the game formats used in national competitions, please refer to the Competition Guide, available online at fft.fr

In general, games are played to the best of three sets (a pair must win 2 sets to win the match), with the exception of certain formats which may differ. In general, a set is won by a two-game margin, but here again, other game formats may exist (see Competition Guide).

The service

The serve is spooned, with 2 service attempts (first and second ball). The server first bounces the ball (behind his own service line), then hits it below the belt. The server is behind the service line. The ball must bounce into the opposite service box before being hit by the receiver. If the ball does not bounce into the service box, it is a fault. After crossing the net, any ball that first touches a surface other than the ground is a fault for the server. If the ball bounces back into the court and hits the net before crossing the service line
(on the receiver's side), it is also a fault. If the ball hits the net and bounces back into the court, it's a let.
If it hits the net before the second bounce, it's a fault.

Exchange and rebound

With the exception of service and return of service, a ball may be volleyed. The ball is allowed only one ground bounce. In the rally, after a ground bounce, the ball may touch any other surface except the floor of its own court. Thus, door handles, fences and walls are all part of the court. A second bounce results in the loss of the point.

The ball can be retaken out of court if, and only if, a second bounce has not occurred. There is a winning point if, after a rebound in the opponent's court, the ball returns to his court without having been touched by an opponent.

Once the ball is in play, all balls passing the net must first bounce on the floor of the opposing camp before hitting a wall. After bouncing off a wall, players can hit the ball back into the opponent's court. Of course, as in tennis, the ball can only bounce once into your camp, and it can only be hit once.