Guides  ·  2026-03-11  ·  8 min read

Padel Rules for Beginners: Quick Guide to Start Playing

The basics: what you need to play

To play padel you need four things: a padel court (20x10 meters with walls), a paddle (the padel "racket," with no strings), padel balls (similar to tennis balls but with less pressure), and at least 3 other people, since padel is always played 2 vs 2.

You don't need special clothing, though sports shoes with a herringbone (clay) or mixed sole will give you better grip on the artificial turf. The startup cost is very low: a basic paddle costs between $25 and $60, and balls run about $4-6 for a can of three.

The padel court

The court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide (about 65 x 33 feet). It's divided in half by a net (slightly lower than in tennis: 0.88 m / 2.88 ft at the center). The most distinctive feature is the walls: the back walls are tempered glass (4 meters high) and the sides combine glass with metal mesh.

The ball can bounce off any wall after it has bounced on the ground on your side. This is key: the ball must bounce on your side first before you can play the wall rebound. This opens up unique tactical possibilities — you can let balls that seem impossible pass you and play them off the back wall instead.

Each half of the court has a service line that divides the field into a service zone and a back zone. The service boxes are where the ball must bounce on the serve.

Scoring: same as tennis

Padel's scoring system is identical to tennis:

• Points: 0 (love) - 15 - 30 - 40 - Game
• Deuce: When both pairs reach 40, it's deuce. You must win two consecutive points (advantage + point) to take the game.
• Set: The first pair to win 6 games with a 2-game lead wins the set. At 6-6, a tiebreak is played (first to 7 points with a 2-point lead).
• Match: Best of 3 sets. The first pair to win 2 sets wins the match.

In casual matches, golden point (sudden death) is commonly used instead of deuce: at 40-40, a single point decides the game. This shortens matches and is the standard in most recreational leagues and club tournaments.

The serve: the most important rule for beginners

The padel serve is performed underhand, below waist height. Here's how:

1. Stand behind the service line, on the correct side (right or left).
2. Bounce the ball on the ground.
3. Strike it with the paddle below waist height.
4. The ball must clear the net and bounce in the diagonal service box on the opponent's side.

If you miss the first serve (net, out, or fault), you get a second serve. If you miss both, it's a double fault and a point for the opponents. The serve alternates: first from the right, then from the left, and so on.

Tip for beginners: Don't try to hit the serve hard. A slow but well-placed serve into the box is infinitely better than a rocket into the net. Consistency wins in padel.

Wall play: what makes padel unique

The wall rule is what confuses beginners most, but it's actually straightforward:

• The ball can bounce off any wall on your side after bouncing on the ground.
• You can return the ball after it rebounds off the back or side wall.
• The ball can only bounce once on the ground before you hit it (same as tennis).
• If the ball bounces twice on the ground on your side, you lose the point.
• You can hit the ball directly without letting it bounce (volley).

Fun fact: in professional padel, some spectacular points involve running out of the court through the side door to retrieve a ball that went over the walls. This is completely legal and is one of the most exciting moments in the sport.

Court positions

In padel there are two basic positions:

• The net (offensive position): Both players in the pair stand close to the net. From here you control the point with volleys, bandejas, and smashes. The goal is to reach the net and stay there.
• The back (defensive position): Both players back, near the rear wall. From here you defend and look for an opening to move up to the net.

The key tactical principle is that the pair moves as a unit. If your partner moves to the net, you move up too. If they drop back, you drop back. Maintaining an imaginary line between both players is essential for covering the court effectively.

Essential shots you should know

Common rules that cause confusion

• Can I touch the net? No. If you touch the net with your body or paddle while the ball is in play, you lose the point.
• Can the ball hit the metal mesh on the serve? If the ball bounces in the correct service box and then hits the mesh, the serve is valid. If it hits the mesh directly without bouncing in the box, it's a fault.
• Can I hit the ball over the wall? Yes. If the ball leaves the court over the walls, you can run out and return it (as long as it has only bounced once).
• What if the ball hits my body? You lose the point, unless it's your own shot that hasn't crossed the net yet.

Organizing matches: the next step

Once you know the rules, the next challenge is finding partners and booking a court. If your residential community or club has a padel court, apps like BookrGo let you organize schedules without the chaos of group chats. If you're looking for public courts, check out our comparison of court booking apps.

The most important thing for a beginner: get out and play. The rules click quickly with practice, and padel is accessible enough that you'll enjoy it from your very first match. Don't worry about perfect technique — that comes with time.