Padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly one-third the size of a tennis court. Scoring follows the tennis system (15, 30, 40, deuce), serves must be underarm below waist height, and the ball can be played off the glass walls after bouncing. Matches are best of three sets, with a tiebreak at 6-6 and the Golden Point applying at deuce in professional play. Doubles positioning is key - one player at the net, one covering the back. This guide covers every rule from serving and faults to wall play and tournament formats. Last updated: April 2026.
padel rules are simpler than tennis in some ways and more nuanced in others. The basics - scoring, game format, match structure - are borrowed directly from tennis. Scoring is 0, 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage. Games go to 6 with a 2-game margin. Matches are best of 3 sets. We’ve laid out every rule in the FIP 2026 framework below, with the situations beginners get wrong most often called out clearly.
Where padel diverges is where it becomes its own sport. Wall play transforms the game. The underarm serve eliminates the powerful serve that dominates tennis. Net play has different rules. These differences aren’t just cosmetic - they fundamentally change how the sport is played.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a tennis player transitioning to padel, this guide covers everything you need to know about the rules as they stand in 2026.
Match format and scoring - the foundation
Padel matches follow the tennis scoring system: points within a game are counted as 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, and then game. The first player or pair to win 4 points wins the game, unless the score reaches 40-40 (deuce).
At deuce, a player or pair must win by two consecutive points - the first point after deuce is advantage, and winning the next point wins the game.
In 2026, FIP-sanctioned events including Premier Padel and the CUPRA FIP Tour use the Star Point system: a maximum of two advantages are played, and if the score is still level after those two advantages, a single decisive Star Point settles the game.
Games are won by the first pair to reach 6 games, with a minimum 2-game margin. If the score reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played. The tiebreak is won by the first pair to reach 7 points with a 2-point margin (first to 7, win by 2).
From January 2026, the FIP made the Star Point system mandatory across Premier Padel, the CUPRA FIP Tour, FIP Promises, and FIP Beyond. The Star Point differs from the older golden point (no-advantage) format: it allows up to two advantages before a single decisive point settles the game, keeping competitive tension while capping match length.
A match is the best of 3 sets. In recreational play, many players agree to play just 1 set to save time. Professional matches are always best of 3.
The Serve - Underarm, Diagonal, and Deliberate
The padel serve is fundamentally different from tennis. It must be underarm. The ball is dropped and struck below waist height - specifically, the ball must be struck at or below the point where it bounces at waist level. You cannot swing the ball up and hit it on the way down like a tennis serve.
The ball must bounce inside the service box (the diagonal box from the server) before it can be returned or hit off the back glass. If the serve clears the net but bounces outside the service box, it’s a fault.
If the serve touches the net and still bounces in the service box, it’s in play (unlike tennis, where this is a let and replayed).
Players get two attempts to land a serve in the box. Two faults in a row lose the point (and the game if the score is already deuce).
Serves are always played diagonally - from the right side of the court to the opponent’s right service box, then from the left side to the left box. The server stays in place; they don’t run to the net after serving.
The Return and Court Play - Wall Rules
The return of serve must be played after the ball bounces - you cannot volley the serve return in padel. The returner waits for the serve to bounce in the service box, then plays it.
If the serve bounces and then hits the back glass, you can play the ball off the wall - this is legal and surprisingly common, especially on deep serves.
Once the serve is returned and the rally begins, the wall rules come into play. This is where padel becomes its own sport.
A ball is in play as long as:
- It bounces inside the court boundaries
- After bouncing, it hasn’t passed the back line
- It hasn’t bounced twice on the same side
- It hasn’t bounced outside the side boundaries
After bouncing inside the court, the ball can hit any wall - back wall, side walls, or even the net post. The ball must cross the net before bouncing on the opponent’s side. However, the ball can hit a wall and then cross the net - that’s legal as long as the ball eventually reaches the opponent’s court.
Wall Play - The Core of Padel
Wall play is where padel differs most dramatically from tennis. After a ball bounces inside the court, it can hit the back wall, side walls, or even the net post on the same side. The key rule: the ball must cross the net before or after hitting the wall, but it must eventually land on the opponent’s side.
If a ball bounces inside the court and then hits the back wall, play continues. The opposing pair can either hit the ball before it bounces again (a volley off the wall) or let it bounce and hit it from the ground.
If the ball hits the back wall and then bounces again on the same side before crossing the net, it’s a fault (double bounce on the same side without crossing).
Side walls work similarly. A ball can hit the side wall as long as it eventually crosses the net. If a ball hits the side wall but then bounces twice on the same side without crossing the net, it’s out.
The net post is considered part of the net structure. If a ball hits the net post and bounces back on the same side, play stops and the point is replayed (similar to a let in tennis, though this rarely happens). If the ball hits the net post and bounces to the opponent’s side, the point continues.
Net Play and Volleys - Touch the Ball Mid-Air
Players can volley at the net - hitting the ball before it bounces on the ground. This is encouraged in padel because the court is smaller and net play is a core tactic.
A volley is legal as long as:
- The ball hasn’t bounced on your side of the court after the opponent hit it
- The ball hasn’t bounced twice on your side (even if it hit a wall)
- You don’t hit the ball before it crosses the net on its way to you
You cannot reach over the net to hit the ball - your paddle must be on your side. The ball must be on its way toward your side before you strike it.
If you volley the ball and it crosses the net, the opponents can volley it back, hit it off the wall, or let it bounce. Volley rallies are faster and more dynamic than ground rallies because there’s no time for wall play between shots.
Faults and Out of Play - When the Point Ends
A fault occurs when:
- A serve doesn’t land in the service box (first serve fault gives a second attempt; second fault loses the point)
- A ball bounces twice on the same side without crossing the net
- A ball bounces on the baseline or outside the side boundaries and isn’t recovered
- A ball doesn’t cross the net in a rally
- A player touches the ball with their body instead of the paddle
The ball is out of play when:
- It bounces beyond the back line (between the back wall and the wall boundary)
- It bounces outside the side boundaries
- It bounces on the side wall beyond the net line (in some interpretations, a side wall hit below net height is okay, but this varies by venue)
- It passes over the back glass without bouncing on the court first (the ball must bounce on the court before it can hit the back wall)
If a ball bounces and then hits the back wall, it’s still in play. If a ball bounces and then hits a side wall, it’s still in play. The wall is only out of play if the ball never bounced on the court first.
Let Serves and Replays - What Stops a Point
If a serve touches the net and bounces correctly into the service box, the FIP rules call a let - the serve is replayed using the same serve count (first or second). This is the same as traditional tennis.
Only if the serve clips the net and misses the service box, or if the ball touches the metallic fence before a second bounce, is it a fault. The 2026 FIP rulebook also clarified the service motion: the ball must not cross the service line before racket contact, a wording tightening designed to reduce line-call disputes.
However, a serve is replayed if:
- The server hasn’t stood still at the baseline during the serve (movement is a fault, not a let)
- A player on the receiving team isn’t ready (the server must wait for a signal)
- External interference (someone walking onto the court, a stray ball from another court) disturbs play
Outside of serves, play is replayed (let) only for the net post contact mentioned earlier, which is rare.
Partner Communication and Positioning
Padel is always doubles, which means partner positioning matters. There’s no specific rule about how partners must stand, but there are tactical norms.
The server’s partner usually stands at the net (a few metres back from the net line) while the server is at the baseline. The receiving pair has one player at the net and one at the baseline. After the serve is returned and the rally begins, both pairs can move freely.
A ball can hit your partner, the net post on your side, or even pass through you (if you let it), but only the player with the paddle is responsible for hitting the ball. If you swing and miss, that’s not a fault - your partner can still hit the ball if they can reach it.
Common Misunderstandings - Clarified
Can the ball hit the net post during a rally? If it hits the net post and returns to your side, play stops and the point is replayed. If it hits the net post and goes to the opponent’s side, the point continues. The net post is treated as part of the net.
Can you hit the ball above the net on a volley? No. When volleying, the ball must be coming toward you and below net height (approximately). If the ball has already crossed the net and is on its way down on the opponent’s side, you can’t volley it.
What if the ball hits the corner where two walls meet? The ball is still in play. Hitting the corner is a legal shot, and the ball can bounce off the corner toward either player.
Can you step outside the court to chase a ball? Yes. If a ball goes over the back glass or side fence, you can leave the court through the side doors to play it - this happens in professional padel regularly. The ball must still clear the net and land on the opponent’s side to count.
What if a ball hits the net during a rally (not the serve)? If it hits the net and clears to the opponent’s side, play continues. If it hits the net and returns to your side, the point ends and the other team wins the point.
Are there foot-fault rules in padel serves? The server must keep both feet behind the baseline. If the server steps on or in front of the baseline before the ball leaves the paddle, it’s a fault. There’s no rule about the server’s feet moving after the serve is struck.
Professional vs Recreational Rules - What Changes
At the professional level, the International Padel Federation (FIP) governs rules. Most recreational play follows these rules too, but some variations exist by venue or tournament.
Golden Point Rule: In professional matches, some tournaments use a ‘golden point’ or ‘no-advantage’ rule where the first point after deuce decides the game immediately (no need to win by 2). Recreational matches rarely use this.
Time Between Points: Professionals have 25 seconds between points; recreational players often take longer.
Dress Code: Professional matches require specific dress codes (usually white or matching colours). Recreational play has no dress code requirements.
Court Surface Specifications: Professional courts have exact specifications for wall material, floor surface, and court dimensions. Recreational courts may vary slightly.
Coaching: Professional matches don’t allow coaching during play. Some recreational tournaments do.
Challenge System: Some professional tournaments use video review systems for disputed calls. Recreational play has no challenges - the call made on court stands.
Rule Evolution - What’s Changed in 2026
Padel rules have remained relatively stable, but the FIP makes periodic adjustments. As of 2026, the core rules have been consistent for several years.
Recent discussions in the professional game have focused on:
- Standardising court dimensions and wall heights globally (some courts vary)
- Clarifying wall contact rules, especially regarding the side walls near the net
- Implementing challenge systems and video review more broadly
- Adjusting the golden point rule implementation across tournaments
For recreational players, rule changes rarely affect your game. The basics remain: underarm serve, wall play, doubles format, tennis scoring. If you’re playing casually, you don’t need to worry about rule evolution.