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Padel rules explained: a friendly FIP summary of the official rules for beginners

Padel rules explained: a friendly FIP summary of the official rules for beginners

New to padel or need a friendly refresher before your next match? Here’s a clear, court-ready overview of the official rules used worldwide. It’s based on the Official Padel Rules — International Federation of Padel (FIP, 2023 update) and translates the essentials into plain language so you can play confidently and avoid common faults.

Below you’ll find quick explanations, new 2023 updates, and a handy table that maps each topic to the original FIP rule numbers. When in doubt during a match, check the “what counts” sections and the quick-reference table.

Court and equipment

  • Court size: 10m wide x 20m long, enclosed with glass walls and mesh fencing.
  • Net height: 0.88m at the center, rising to 0.92m at the posts.
  • Out-of-court play: Courts must have 2 exit doors per side (0.72–0.82m wide, 2m tall minimum), plus safety zones of 2m wide, 4m long, and 2m height clearance.
  • Balls: Must meet ITF standards for padel balls.
  • Rackets: Solid (not strung), perforated hitting surface, max 45.5cm long, 26cm wide, 38mm thick. Must have a safety wrist cord attached.

Source: 2023 FIP Regulations, section on courts & equipment.

Player positions and changing sides

  • Padel is always doubles. Players stand on opposite sides of the net; the server starts the point and the receiver returns it.
  • Change ends after every odd number of games (1, 3, 5, …).
  • Rest time: up to 90 seconds between games.

Source: FIP Rule 1.

Choosing serve and side

A pre-match toss decides who chooses first: serve/receive, side, or asking opponents to choose.

Source: FIP Rule 2.

The serve: how to do it right

  • Serve diagonally into the opposite service box; lines are good.
  • Feet behind the service line, between center line and side wall; bounce the ball before hitting.
  • Strike at or below waist height, with at least one foot on the ground; no walking/running/jumping into it (small setup moves allowed).
  • Start from the right; alternate sides each point.
  • If you served from the wrong side, correct when noticed; points already stand.

Source: FIP Rule 3.

Service faults

Typical faults include:

  • Any violation of the serve mechanics.
  • Missing the ball completely while attempting to serve.
  • Ball landing outside the receiver’s service box (lines count in).
  • Serve hitting the server’s partner.
  • Served ball touching the fence or walls before the second bounce.
  • Taking more than 25 seconds to serve.

Source: FIP Rule 4.

Service and return order

  • Teams decide who serves first and who receives first each set; the order then alternates and must remain until the set ends.
  • If someone serves or receives out of turn, fix it when noticed; points already played usually stand.

Source: FIP Rules 5–7.

Second serve and receiver readiness

  • Two serves per point: if the first is a fault, you get a second from the same side, immediately.
  • Don’t serve until the receiver is ready; if they weren’t ready and didn’t try to return, you can’t claim the point—even if the serve was in.

Source: FIP Rules 8–9.

Lets and interference

  • A let is replayed when: a serve touches the net then lands good, the receiver wasn’t ready, the ball breaks, or play is interrupted by something beyond players’ control.
  • If a player is disturbed by something outside their control (not the court itself or their partner), replay the point.
  • Deliberate disturbance → point goes to opponents.

Source: FIP Rules 11–12.

Scoring and tiebreaks

  • Game points: 0, 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage.
  • Sets: first to 6 with 2-game margin; at 6–6 a tiebreak may be used if agreed.
  • Standard tiebreak: first to 7 with 2-point margin; one serve from the right, then two serves each, starting left; change ends every 6 points.
  • Matches: best of 3 or 5 sets.

Source: FIP Rules 13–14.

Ball in play, out of court, and volleys

  • After a good serve, the ball is live until it bounces twice, hits a player, or another fault occurs.
  • You may play off your own glass to send the ball over the net (not on the serve).
  • Players may exit the court to retrieve the ball if the facility meets safety dimensions.
  • Volleys are allowed any time except on the return of serve.

Source: FIP Rules 15–16, 18.

Correct vs. incorrect returns

A return is correct when:

  • It touches the net/posts and then lands good.
  • You play off your glass and the ball then lands in the opponents’ court.
  • It lands in, then goes out over the top or hits objects (roof/lights) on their side.

A team loses the point for:

  • Touching the net or opponents’ side while the ball is live.
  • Double bounce, volleying the serve, double-hit, or the ball hitting you or your gear.
  • Ball going directly into opponents’ wall/fence without the ground first; hitting your own fence; crossing the net before the ball does; both partners striking the ball on one shot.

Source: FIP Rules 18–19.

Continuous play and suspensions

  • Keep play continuous, respecting 25 seconds between points and 90 seconds on changeovers.
  • If suspended (e.g., rain/lights), warm-up allowances depend on delay length; resume with same score, server, and ends.

Source: FIP Rule 21.

Ball changes

  • Tournaments specify ball changes by round or after a set number of games (e.g., after 11 games, then every 13).
  • Lost or damaged balls must be replaced with ones in similar condition.

Source: FIP Rule 22.

Clothing, identity, and behavior

  • Wear clean, appropriate sports clothing (no sleeveless tops or swimwear) and proper shoes.
  • Rackets and balls must meet official standards.
  • Players must prove identity, nationality, and age if asked.
  • Conduct: respect opponents, officials, and spectators. Warnings, point penalties, and disqualification may be applied for misconduct such as racket abuse, ball abuse, obscenities, or aggressive behavior.

Source: FIP sections: Clothing, Identity, Behavior & Discipline.

Quick-reference table

Topic What to remember FIP rule refs
Court & equipment 10x20m court, 0.88m net, exits for out-of-court play, ITF balls, regulated rackets 2023 update
Format & ends Doubles only; change ends after odd games; 90s rest Rule 1
Toss & choices Choose serve/receive or side Rule 2
Serve basics Diagonal into box; waist-height strike; feet behind line Rule 3
Service faults Missed strike, out, hits partner, fence/wall touch, >25s Rule 4
Orders Service and receive orders fixed per set Rules 5–7
Second serve One re-try from same side, immediately Rule 8
Receiver ready Don’t serve until receiver is ready Rule 9
Lets Net-cord in on serve, not ready, broken ball, interruptions Rule 11
Interference Outside disturbance → replay; deliberate → point to opponents Rule 12
Scoring 15–30–40–game; sets to 6 by 2; TB at 6–6 Rule 13
Tiebreak First to 7 by 2; serve 1–2–2…; switch ends every 6 Rule 14
Ball in play Off your glass is fine (not on serve); can exit court to retrieve Rule 15–16
Correct returns Net-cord in, off your glass, out over top or hits roof on their side Rule 18
Lose the point Net touch, double bounce, volleying serve, double-hit, body contact, etc. Rule 19
Continuous play 25s between points; 90s changeovers; suspension warm-ups Rule 21
Ball changes By round or games; replace lost/damaged appropriately Rule 22
Conduct Proper attire, identity, sportsmanlike behavior; penalties for abuse 2023 update

Primary source: Official Padel Rules — International Federation of Padel (FIP, 2023 Game Regulations).
This summary is for guidance only; always defer to the full FIP text and local tournament regulations.

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