Padel Rules - Your Complete Guide
Padel is Europe's fastest growing sport - and for good reason. The mix of tennis and squash is easy to learn, extremely fun and ideal for all ages. This guide explains everything you need to know to start playing right away.
Padel Basics - The Fundamentals
Before we get into the rules, here are the most important facts about the game. Padel is always played in doubles (2 vs 2) on a smaller court surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh.
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | 20 m × 10 m, divided into two halves |
| Walls | Back wall: 4 m glass, side walls: 3 m glass + metal mesh |
| Net | 88 cm in the middle, 92 cm at the sides |
| Racket | Solid (no strings), max. 45.5 cm, wrist strap required |
| Ball | 6.35–6.77 cm diameter, less pressure than tennis |
| Players | Always doubles: 2 vs 2 |
Why is the ball slower? Padel balls have less internal pressure than tennis balls. This results in slower trajectories, longer rallies and makes the sport more accessible especially for beginners.
Padel Rules Simply Explained
Serve
The serve in padel is significantly easier than in tennis. You bounce the ball on the ground and then hit it diagonally into the opponent's service box at or below hip height. Important:
- The serve must be underhand
- You stand behind the service line and hit diagonally into the opposite service box
- The ball must bounce in the service box first - after that it may touch the wall
- You have two attempts (like in tennis)
- When serving, both feet must be on the ground behind the service line
Scoring
The scoring system is identical to tennis. If you already know it, you can skip this section.
| Points | Score |
|---|---|
| 0 points | 0 (Love) |
| 1 point | 15 |
| 2 points | 30 |
| 3 points | 40 |
| 4 points | Game (with at least 2 points advantage) |
| 40:40 | Deuce → Advantage → Game |
A set is won with 6 games won (with at least 2 games advantage). At 6:6 there is a tiebreak (first player with 7 points, at least 2 advantage). A match is played as best of 3 sets.
Using the Walls
Wall play makes padel unique. Think of it like squash, but with a net in the middle. The most important rules:
- The ball must always bounce on the ground first in your half before it touches the wall
- After bouncing on the ground, you can play the ball off the back wall or side wall
- Your return must fly over the net and touch the ground first on the opponent's side (not directly to the wall)
- Corner balls (side wall → back wall or vice versa) are valid
- Advanced players can even play the ball over their own back wall and continue hitting it outside (lob counter)
Tip: Beginners should focus on learning to play the ball off the back wall. This is the most common wall play situation and gives you an immediate advantage.
Valid and Invalid Shots
Point won
- Ball bounces twice on opponent's side
- Opponent hits ball into the net
- Opponent hits ball directly out / against fence
- Ball touches opponent directly (before bouncing)
- Ball flies over the back wall after bouncing
Point lost
- Ball bounces twice in your half
- Ball hit directly into the fence / mesh
- Ball hit into the net
- Ball or racket touches the net
- Ball is taken from the air before the line (volley error)
Position Changes & Strategy
Sides are changed after every odd game score (after the 1st, 3rd, 5th game etc.). Regarding positioning:
- One player takes the left side (Revés/Backhand), the other the right side (Drive/Forehand)
- Try to come to the net together - the attacking position is at the net, not at the baseline
- Move as a team: if one goes back, the other goes with them
- Lobs (high balls) are the most important weapon to drive opponents from the net
Padel vs. Tennis vs. Squash
Padel combines elements from tennis and squash. Here you can see the most important differences at a glance:
| Feature | Padel | Tennis | Squash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court | 20 × 10 m | 23.77 × 10.97 m | 9.75 × 6.4 m |
| Players | 2 vs. 2 | 1 vs. 1 / 2 vs. 2 | 1 vs. 1 |
| Racket | Solid (no strings) | Strung | Strung |
| Ball | Less pressure | Normal pressure | Rubber, no pressure |
| Walls | Yes (part of the game) | No | Yes (all walls) |
| Scoring | 15/30/40/Game | 15/30/40/Game | Points to 11 |
| Serve | Underhand | Overhead | Overhead/underhand |
| Entry Level | Very easy | Medium | Medium |
The big advantage of padel for beginners: Due to the underhand serve, the smaller court and the slower ball, rallies happen much faster than in tennis. After just a few minutes, the game is fun.
Equipment for Beginners
The good news: You need almost nothing to get started. Most padel facilities rent rackets and provide balls.
Racket
A rental racket is sufficient to start. If you buy your own, expect to pay 50–150 € for a good beginner model. Look for a round head profile - this is the most forgiving.
Shoes
Indoor shoes with a light, non-marking sole and good lateral stability. Tennis shoes or special padel shoes are ideal. Running shoes are not suitable (too little support for lateral movements).
Clothing
Normal sports clothing is perfectly fine. Shorts or sports tights and a comfortable t-shirt. In winter indoors, it's warm enough for shorts.
Everything can be rented? Then find a court right away and try it out.
First Steps - How to Start
- 1
- 2
Find players
Padel is a doubles sport - so you need three other players. Ask friends, colleagues or join local padel WhatsApp groups. Many facilities also offer open matches and meet-up events.
- 3
Trial lesson or just play
Many clubs offer free introductions or affordable trial lessons. But you can also just start - you now have the basic rules. After 10 minutes of warm-up, most beginners are in the game.
- 4
Avoid typical beginner mistakes
Don't hit too hard (control beats power), play the serve calmly and placed, see the walls as a friend (don't dodge!) and move to the net together as a team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players do you need for padel?
Is padel easier than tennis?
How much does an hour of padel cost?
Do I need my own equipment to play padel?
Can the ball touch the wall?
How does the serve work in padel?
How long does a padel match last?
Padel in Germany
Padel is booming in Germany. Dozens of new facilities are being built every year and player numbers are rising rapidly. Whether in a big city or the countryside - the chances are good that there's a padel court near you.
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