• Padel is played on an enclosed court measuring 10 meters wide by 20 meters long, surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh fencing.
  
  
• The net in the center divides the court into two equal halves.
  
  
• Each player uses a solid padel racket (without strings) and a padel ball similar to a tennis ball but with slightly less pressure.

1. The Court and Equipment

2. Teams and Scoring

• Padel is almost always played in doubles format (2 players vs 2 players).
  
  
• The scoring system follows traditional tennis rules:
  Points go 15, 30, 40, and game.
  
  
• If both teams reach 40, it’s called “deuce”. In traditional scoring, a team must win two consecutive points. In some formats, a “golden point” is played instead, where the next point decides the game.
  
  
• A typical match is played as best of three sets. A set is won by the first team to win 6 games with at least a two-game advantage (e.g., 6-4).
  
  
• If the score reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is usually played to 7 points.

3. Serving Rules

• The serve must be underhand. Overhand serves are not allowed.
  
  
• The ball must bounce behind the service line before being hit.
  
  
• The server must stand behind the service line and between the center and side lines.
  
  
• The serve must land in the opposite diagonal service box.
  
  
• The ball must not hit the net, side wall, or back wall before landing in the correct box.
  
  
• Each player has two attempts (first and second serve).
  
  
• The receiver must let the ball bounce once before returning it; volleying a serve is not allowed.

• The ball is allowed to hit the walls after it bounces on the ground.
  
  
• Players can use their own walls to return the ball to the opponent’s side.
  
  
• The ball can only bounce once on the ground. A second bounce means the point is lost.
  
  
• The ball remains in play if it hits the glass wall after bouncing, and it may also hit the metal mesh after the bounce. However, on the serve, the ball must not hit the metal mesh after bouncing.
  
  
• Players can step outside the court (if allowed) to return the ball through the gate.

4. During Play

5. Faults and Let Situations

• A fault occurs if:
  The ball bounces twice on the same side.
  The ball hits the wall or fence on your side before bouncing on the ground.
  The ball goes out of bounds (over the walls or outside the court).
  A player hits the ball into the net without it crossing to the opponent’s side.
  
  
• A let occurs if:
  The ball hits the net on the serve but still lands in the correct service box.
  Play is interrupted for any reason outside the players’ control.

• Serving Order: Teams alternate serves every game, and players switch sides after every odd-numbered game.
  
  
• Change of Ends: Players switch ends of the court after every odd-numbered game (1, 3, 5…).
  
  
• Ball in Play: If the ball hits the glass or mesh after bouncing, it is still in play.

6. Other Key Rules

• Always serve underhand and behind the service line.
  
  
• Use the walls to your advantage – padel is a game of rebounds.
  
  
• Communicate with your partner for better positioning and shot selection.

7. Tips for Players