How to play padel: Rules and scoring

Padel is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, and it’s easy to see why. Padel is a fun sport that’s quick to pick up and accessible for all ages and fitness levels.

We’ve compiled a summary of the key rules for padel, so if you’re ever unsure, you can refer back to this blog.

How does scoring work in padel?

Like tennis, scoring in padel is split into sets and games. Games are scored in the same format as tennis (15, 30, 40, Advantage), and you’ll need to win six games and be ahead of your opponents by two games to win.

The golden point rule

The golden point rule breaks a tie when both teams have scored 40-40. As an alternative to playing an advantage where the winning team would need to be two points ahead, the golden point rule dictates that whoever wins the next point wins the game.

Padel serving rules

To complete a successful serve in padel, you must:

Serve from behind the service lineHit the ball underarmBounce the ball once before you hit itHit the ball into the service box that is diagonally across from youHave at least one foot on the ground

You will lose the point if you make two faults in a row while serving. A fault happens when:

You miss the ball while trying to serveThe ball hits you or your partner as the serving teamThe ball lands in your opponent’s service box and hits the wire fencing

The padel wall rules

You can’t learn padel rules without learning how to correctly use the walls surrounding the court. In padel, the court has glass walls at either end of the court, which you can bounce the ball off to return the ball to your opponent. This adds a whole new element of strategy to the game, but there are some rules for using the walls:

You can hit the ball against the glass walls in padel, but if you’re returning it over the net, it must first bounce on the floor on your opponent’s side of the court.You cannot hit the ball against the mesh walls on your side, but you can use the glass walls as long as the ball then lands on your opponents side after.

How to win a point in padel

You win a point if:

The ball bounces twice on your opponent’s side of the court. Once it has bounced twice, they cannot serve the ball back to you.The ball hits either of your opponents on their side of the court.A ball returned by your opponent hits any fixture on their side of the court (other than a wall) before coming over the net.

General rules

Lastly, below are some general rules for padel:

The court lines are only in play during a serveYou can volley a ball back to your opponent as long as it is not during a serveThe ball can only be hit once before going over the net

FAQs

Can you hit the glass directly in padel?

You can’t hit the ball directly at the glass in padel, as it has to bounce first. If you return the ball and it hits the glass on your opponent’s side of the court without bouncing, you will lose the point.

How many lets are allowed in padel?

The number of lets allowed in padel depends on whether the let occurs during the first or second serve. If there is a let on the first serve, the serve can repeat, but if there is a let on the second serve, the server only has one more chance to get the ball over the net.

Can you touch the net in padel?

Neither you nor your racket can touch the net or the net posts in padel. If this happens while you are returning the ball, your opponent will win the point.

Can you play padel singles?

It is possible to play padel singles, although it is far less common. You’ll have to check that the leisure centre you want to play at has single padel courts available, as they are a lot smaller than a padel doubles court.

How big is a padel court?

A padel court is usually 20 metres by 10 metres in a rectangular shape. The court is then split with two lines running parallel to the net, one at each end of the court approximately 3 meters from the back wall (the service line). There’s also a line connecting these two lines, which runs perpendicular to the net, straight down the middle of the court.

Specialist padel insurance through Insure4Sport

Padel can be a great way to have fun and keep fit while doing it, but, as with any sport, it’s not without its risks. As you become more confident at padel, you may want to consider getting specialist padel insurance.

Specialist padel insurance through Insure4Sport can help provide financial protection and peace of mind should you suffer an injury and be unable to work (Loss of Earnings) or injure another player or their property while you play (Public Liability). You can even get cover for your sports equipment should it be accidentally damaged, lost, or stolen.

Find out more about specialist padel insurance or get a quick online quote today.