Roof
Roof refers to whether a padel court is indoor (covered) or outdoor (open to the sky). The FIP minimum vertical clearance for indoor padel is 6 m, with 8 m recommended at competition level. Indoor courts dominate in the UK and Scandinavia; outdoor courts dominate in Spain, Bali and the Middle East.
Why does the roof matter in padel?
The roof determines whether wind affects play. Outdoor courts in windy conditions favour the player serving with the wind, change the lob arc, and make smashes less reliable. Indoor courts remove wind entirely. Sunlight glare can also disrupt outdoor serves and overheads on bright days.
When is indoor better than outdoor?
Indoor is better when reliability matters: matches with rankings on the line, technical training, anyone learning a shot. Outdoor is fine for social play in calm weather. In rainy or windy climates, indoor is the only practical option year-round, which is why the UK and Scandinavia are heavily indoor.
How roof clearance affects play
Lower roofs limit lob height. FIP rules require a minimum 6 m vertical clearance for sanctioned play, with 8 m recommended. Below 6 m, lobs hit the ceiling and the rule for ceiling contact varies - usually treated as out. Club courts with low ceilings restrict the high-lob game.
Coach tip: If you are new to outdoor padel, expect the lob and the smash to feel less reliable. Wind matters more than you think.
Common misconceptions
A roofed court is not always the same as an indoor club. Some Spanish and Bali clubs use canopies or covers that are technically a roof but leave the sides open to air. Pure indoor courts have walls and a roof; covered outdoor courts have just the roof. Wind still affects covered courts.
