How do you score in padel?

Padel uses tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, game. Win 6 games for a set (must lead by 2 or play a tiebreak at 6-6). Matches are best of 3 sets. At deuce (40-40), one team must win two consecutive points.

Can the ball hit the wall in padel?

Yes — this is what makes padel unique. After the ball bounces on the ground, it can hit the glass walls and remain in play. You can return it off the wall. The ball is only dead when it bounces twice on the ground.

Is padel always doubles?

Yes, padel is traditionally played as doubles (2 vs 2). Some facilities offer singles play on modified courts, but the standard game and all professional competitions are doubles.

What is the underhand serve in padel?

In padel, you must serve underhand. Bounce the ball on the ground, then hit it at or below waist height diagonally into the opponent's service box. You get two serves per point, just like tennis.

Can you go outside the court in padel?

Yes. If the ball goes over the side mesh, you can exit through the side openings and play it from outside the court — as long as it hasn't bounced twice. This creates some of padel's most exciting moments.

How long does a padel match take?

A recreational padel match typically takes 60-90 minutes. Competitive matches with close sets can go longer. Most court bookings are 60 or 90 minutes.

Padel Rules Explained: A Beginner's Guide

The Basics

Padel is a doubles racquet sport played on an enclosed court with glass walls and metal mesh. The walls are in play — balls can bounce off them and remain live. This is what makes padel unique and strategically rich.

A standard match is best of 3 sets. Scoring is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Win 6 games to take a set (with a 2-game lead or tiebreak at 6-6).

The Court

A padel court is 20m long and 10m wide, divided by a net. Each side has two service boxes. The court is enclosed by a combination of glass walls (back and sides) and metal mesh (upper portions). There are openings on both sides for players to exit and even chase balls outside the court.

The surface is artificial turf — which is why proper padel shoes matter.

Serving

The serve in padel is always underhand:

Stand behind the service line on your side
Bounce the ball on the ground, then hit it at or below waist height
Hit diagonally into the opponent's service box (like tennis)
The ball must bounce in the box first, then it can hit the back wall (this is in play)
If it bounces and hits the side mesh/cage before the back wall, it's out
You get two serves per point (like tennis)

Wall Play — What Makes Padel Special

This is the rule that surprises newcomers: after the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the glass wall and you can still play it. The ball is only dead when it bounces twice on the ground.

This means rallies last longer and create dramatic moments. A ball that looks like a winner can be retrieved off the back glass. Players can even run outside the court through the side openings to chase a ball that's gone over the mesh.

Key wall rules:

The ball must bounce on the ground before hitting a wall on your opponent's side (you can't volley it into the wall)
After bouncing, it can hit any wall and remain in play
You can hit the ball into your own side's glass to send it back over the net (a "contra-pared" or wall shot)

Points and Penalties

You win the point when:

The ball bounces twice on your opponent's side
Your opponent hits the ball into the net
Your opponent hits the ball outside the court (over the mesh/glass)

You lose the point when:

The ball bounces twice on your side
You hit the net with your body or racket
You hit the ball before it crosses to your side

Doubles Positioning

Padel is always played as doubles. The standard formation is one player at the net and one at the back. Good teams rotate — the net player looks for volleys while the back player covers lobs and wall returns.

Communication with your partner is essential. Call "mine" or "yours" early, especially on balls down the middle.