[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-en-padel-rules-explained-simply":3,"blog-article-translations-padel-rules":621},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"categories":604,"date":606,"description":607,"draft":608,"extension":609,"image":610,"meta":611,"metaDescription":612,"metaTitle":613,"navigation":614,"ogImage":615,"path":616,"seo":617,"stem":618,"translationKey":619,"__hash__":620},"blog_en/en/blog/padel-rules-explained-simply.md","Padel rules explained simply for beginners",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":577},"minimark",[9,13,18,30,33,59,63,73,77,80,109,115,119,126,153,160,164,171,174,197,201,204,240,244,247,275,280,284,298,302,305,334,337,341,344,367,375,379,382,408,412,415,441,444,448,451,483,488,501,505,510,513,517,520,524,527,531,534,538,545,549,552,556,567],[10,11,12],"p",{},"Want to get started but the rules of padel feel unclear? Good news: they are simple and you learn them in a single match. Padel is played four-a-side, on a court surrounded by glass walls, with scoring identical to tennis. The big difference comes from the underarm serve and the use of the walls. Here are all the padel rules explained simply so you can step onto the court with confidence from your very first game.",[14,15,17],"h2",{"id":16},"the-court-and-the-equipment","The court and the equipment",[10,19,20,21,25,26,29],{},"A padel court is ",[22,23,24],"strong",{},"20 metres long and 10 metres wide",", split by a net. It is surrounded by ",[22,27,28],{},"glass walls"," and fencing that are part of the game: the ball can bounce off them.",[10,31,32],{},"To play, you need:",[34,35,36,50,56],"ul",{},[37,38,39,40,43,44,49],"li",{},"A ",[22,41,42],{},"padel racket"," (solid, no strings). If you are starting out, see ",[45,46,48],"a",{"href":47},"/en/blog/equipment/articles/how-to-choose-a-padel-racket","how to choose a padel racket",".",[37,51,52,55],{},[22,53,54],{},"Padel balls"," (similar to tennis balls, slightly less pressurised).",[37,57,58],{},"Shoes suited to padel surfaces.",[14,60,62],{"id":61},"padel-is-played-four-a-side","Padel is played four-a-side",[10,64,65,66,69,70,49],{},"Padel is almost always played as ",[22,67,68],{},"doubles",": two teams of two players. The singles format exists but stays marginal. Each team occupies one half of the court and ideally stands ",[22,71,72],{},"side by side",[14,74,76],{"id":75},"the-serve-always-underarm","The serve: always underarm",[10,78,79],{},"This is padel's most distinctive rule. The serve must follow several conditions:",[34,81,82,88,95,102],{},[37,83,84,85,49],{},"It is played ",[22,86,87],{},"below waist height",[37,89,90,91,94],{},"The server must ",[22,92,93],{},"bounce the ball on the ground"," behind the service line before hitting it.",[37,96,97,98,101],{},"The serve is hit ",[22,99,100],{},"diagonally",", into the opposite box.",[37,103,104,105,108],{},"The server gets ",[22,106,107],{},"two attempts"," (as in tennis).",[110,111,112],"blockquote",{},[10,113,114],{},"The served ball must bounce in the opponent's service box. If it then touches the glass, play continues; if it touches the fence, it is a fault.",[14,116,118],{"id":117},"scoring","Scoring",[10,120,121,122,125],{},"Scoring is ",[22,123,124],{},"identical to tennis",":",[34,127,128,134,140,147],{},[37,129,130,131,49],{},"Points go ",[22,132,133],{},"15, 30, 40, game",[37,135,136,137,49],{},"At 40-40 it is ",[22,138,139],{},"deuce",[37,141,142,143,146],{},"You need ",[22,144,145],{},"6 games"," (with a 2-game lead) to win a set.",[37,148,149,150,49],{},"A match is usually played as ",[22,151,152],{},"two winning sets",[10,154,155,156,159],{},"At 40-40 two rules exist depending on the competition: the classic advantage, or the ",[22,157,158],{},"golden point",", where the game is decided on a single point.",[14,161,163],{"id":162},"the-role-of-the-walls","The role of the walls",[10,165,166,167,170],{},"This is what makes padel unique. After the ball bounces on the ground in your half, it can ",[22,168,169],{},"touch the glass wall",": you are then allowed to play it after that wall rebound.",[10,172,173],{},"Key rules:",[34,175,176,183,190],{},[37,177,178,179,182],{},"The ball must first ",[22,180,181],{},"bounce on the ground"," in your half before touching the wall.",[37,184,185,186,189],{},"You may use your ",[22,187,188],{},"own walls"," to send the ball back over the net.",[37,191,192,193,196],{},"A ball that touches the opponent's glass ",[22,194,195],{},"directly, without a ground bounce",", is a fault.",[14,198,200],{"id":199},"the-most-common-faults","The most common faults",[10,202,203],{},"You lose the point in these cases:",[34,205,206,213,220,227,234],{},[37,207,208,209,212],{},"The ball bounces ",[22,210,211],{},"twice"," in your half.",[37,214,215,216,219],{},"You hit the ball ",[22,217,218],{},"out of the opponent's court"," (beyond the walls).",[37,221,222,223,226],{},"The ball touches the ",[22,224,225],{},"fence on your side"," before crossing the net.",[37,228,229,230,233],{},"You touch the ",[22,231,232],{},"net"," with your racket or body.",[37,235,215,236,239],{},[22,237,238],{},"before it crosses"," to your side of the net.",[14,241,243],{"id":242},"positions-on-the-court","Positions on the court",[10,245,246],{},"Knowing the rules is good; knowing where to stand is better. A few basic markers that help from your very first match:",[34,248,249,255,261,268],{},[37,250,251,254],{},[22,252,253],{},"On serve",", the server stands behind the service line; their partner is at the net.",[37,256,257,260],{},[22,258,259],{},"On return",", the returner waits at the back of the court; their partner covers the net.",[37,262,263,264,267],{},"Once the rally is under way, the goal is to ",[22,265,266],{},"move up to the net together",", side by side: it is the position that puts the most pressure on the opponent.",[37,269,270,271,274],{},"In defence, ",[22,272,273],{},"step back together"," towards the back to handle balls coming off the walls.",[110,276,277],{},[10,278,279],{},"The golden rule: always stay in line with your partner, never one in front of the other diagonally. It is the foundation of good doubles play.",[14,281,283],{"id":282},"a-few-common-sense-rules","A few common-sense rules",[34,285,286,289,295],{},[37,287,288],{},"You may leave the court to retrieve a ball (through the door), depending on the facility.",[37,290,39,291,294],{},[22,292,293],{},"let"," on serve (ball touching the net then landing in the correct box) is replayed.",[37,296,297],{},"Fair play comes first: in recreational play, a doubtful ball is replayed.",[14,299,301],{"id":300},"how-a-match-unfolds","How a match unfolds",[10,303,304],{},"Beyond the isolated rules, here is how a game actually flows:",[34,306,307,314,321,324,331],{},[37,308,309,310,313],{},"You draw for the ",[22,311,312],{},"first server"," and the starting side.",[37,315,316,317,320],{},"Each player serves a ",[22,318,319],{},"whole game"," in turn; all four players therefore serve in rotation across the games.",[37,322,323],{},"The server starts on the right, then alternates right/left on each point.",[37,325,326,327,330],{},"You ",[22,328,329],{},"change ends"," after the first game, then every two games (1, 3, 5…).",[37,332,333],{},"At the end of a set, a short break is allowed before continuing.",[10,335,336],{},"Knowing this flow avoids hesitation at the start of a match and keeps play smooth.",[14,338,340],{"id":339},"specific-competition-rules","Specific competition rules",[10,342,343],{},"In tournaments, a few precise rules are added to the recreational framework:",[34,345,346,352,358,364],{},[37,347,348,351],{},[22,349,350],{},"The golden point",": at 40-40, a single decisive point settles the game (the returner chooses their side).",[37,353,354,357],{},[22,355,356],{},"The super tie-break",": to separate players, a decider is sometimes played to 7 or 10 points instead of a third set.",[37,359,360,363],{},[22,361,362],{},"The let on serve"," is replayed, but the double fault loses the point.",[37,365,366],{},"A limited time is imposed between points and during changeovers.",[10,368,369,370,374],{},"If you plan to play ",[45,371,373],{"href":372},"/en/tournaments","tournaments",", always check the organiser's rules before playing.",[14,376,378],{"id":377},"regulation-dimensions-and-equipment","Regulation dimensions and equipment",[10,380,381],{},"A few useful official markers to know:",[34,383,384,390,396,402],{},[37,385,386,389],{},[22,387,388],{},"Court",": 20 m long, 10 m wide, minimum free height of 6 m.",[37,391,392,395],{},[22,393,394],{},"Net",": 88 cm high at the centre, slightly more at the sides.",[37,397,398,401],{},[22,399,400],{},"Walls",": 3 m high (with fencing above on some courts).",[37,403,404,407],{},[22,405,406],{},"Balls",": approved, similar to tennis balls but slightly less pressurised.",[14,409,411],{"id":410},"a-mini-glossary-of-padel-shots","A mini glossary of padel shots",[10,413,414],{},"A few terms you will hear quickly on court:",[34,416,417,423,429,435],{},[37,418,419,422],{},[22,420,421],{},"Bandeja",": a high control volley, played at mid-height to keep the net.",[37,424,425,428],{},[22,426,427],{},"Vibora",": a more aggressive variant of the bandeja, with spin.",[37,430,431,434],{},[22,432,433],{},"Chiquita",": a low, slow ball played at the feet of the net players.",[37,436,437,440],{},[22,438,439],{},"Bajada",": a shot played after the ball has come off the back wall.",[10,442,443],{},"Mastering this vocabulary helps you understand advice from more experienced players and progress faster.",[14,445,447],{"id":446},"beginner-mistakes-to-avoid","Beginner mistakes to avoid",[10,449,450],{},"Beyond the rules, some beginner habits give away points needlessly. Knowing them will save you time:",[34,452,453,459,465,471,477],{},[37,454,455,458],{},[22,456,457],{},"Hitting too hard",": the ball flies into the back wall and comes back right at your opponent.",[37,460,461,464],{},[22,462,463],{},"Hugging the wall",": you end up trapped with no angle to return. Step back early to give the ball room.",[37,466,467,470],{},[22,468,469],{},"Forgetting to move up to the net",": staying in defence means enduring the point.",[37,472,473,476],{},[22,474,475],{},"Serving like in tennis",": an overhead serve is simply not allowed.",[37,478,479,482],{},[22,480,481],{},"Not calling your shots",": without communication, you get in your partner's way.",[110,484,485],{},[10,486,487],{},"Padel rewards patience and positioning far more than raw power, especially at the start.",[10,489,490,491,495,496,500],{},"To turn these rules into reflexes, nothing beats playing. Check our ",[45,492,494],{"href":493},"/en/blog/tips/articles/how-to-improve-quickly-at-padel","tips to improve at padel"," and find a ",[45,497,499],{"href":498},"/en/clubs","club near you"," for your first games.",[14,502,504],{"id":503},"faq","FAQ",[506,507,509],"h3",{"id":508},"is-padel-scoring-the-same-as-tennis","Is padel scoring the same as tennis?",[10,511,512],{},"Yes. You count 15, 30, 40, game, then 6 games for a set and usually two winning sets for the match. The only common variant is the golden point at deuce.",[506,514,516],{"id":515},"can-you-play-the-ball-off-the-wall","Can you play the ball off the wall?",[10,518,519],{},"Yes, provided it first bounced on the ground in your half. You can also use your own walls to send the ball back.",[506,521,523],{"id":522},"why-is-the-serve-played-underarm","Why is the serve played underarm?",[10,525,526],{},"It is a founding rule of padel: the serve is hit below the waist after a ground bounce, which makes rallies more open and less dominated by power.",[506,528,530],{"id":529},"how-many-players-are-on-a-padel-court","How many players are on a padel court?",[10,532,533],{},"Almost always four, in doubles (two against two). That is what makes padel such a social and accessible sport.",[506,535,537],{"id":536},"where-can-i-learn-to-play-padel","Where can I learn to play padel?",[10,539,540,541,544],{},"At a club with a few guided games. Find a ",[45,542,543],{"href":498},"padel club near you"," and get started with players at your level.",[506,546,548],{"id":547},"what-happens-if-the-ball-hits-the-opponents-fence","What happens if the ball hits the opponent's fence?",[10,550,551],{},"If your ball clears the net, bounces in the opponent's half, then touches the fence on that side, play continues normally. However, a ball that touches the fence on your own side before crossing the net makes you lose the point.",[14,553,555],{"id":554},"conclusion","Conclusion",[10,557,558,559,563,564,49],{},"The rules of padel come down to the essentials: an underarm serve, scoring borrowed from tennis, and walls that extend the rally. After one or two matches, it all becomes natural. To keep improving, browse our ",[45,560,562],{"href":561},"/en/blog/tips","padel tips"," and our guide on ",[45,565,566],{"href":493},"how to improve quickly at padel",[10,568,569,570,576],{},"Keen to play your first match? ",[45,571,575],{"href":572,"rel":573},"https://padeligo.go.link/eeV1Y",[574],"nofollow","Download Padeligo"," to find beginner partners near you.",{"title":578,"searchDepth":579,"depth":579,"links":580},"",2,[581,582,583,584,585,586,587,588,589,590,591,592,593,594,603],{"id":16,"depth":579,"text":17},{"id":61,"depth":579,"text":62},{"id":75,"depth":579,"text":76},{"id":117,"depth":579,"text":118},{"id":162,"depth":579,"text":163},{"id":199,"depth":579,"text":200},{"id":242,"depth":579,"text":243},{"id":282,"depth":579,"text":283},{"id":300,"depth":579,"text":301},{"id":339,"depth":579,"text":340},{"id":377,"depth":579,"text":378},{"id":410,"depth":579,"text":411},{"id":446,"depth":579,"text":447},{"id":503,"depth":579,"text":504,"children":595},[596,598,599,600,601,602],{"id":508,"depth":597,"text":509},3,{"id":515,"depth":597,"text":516},{"id":522,"depth":597,"text":523},{"id":529,"depth":597,"text":530},{"id":536,"depth":597,"text":537},{"id":547,"depth":597,"text":548},{"id":554,"depth":579,"text":555},[605],"tips","2026-06-19","Serve, scoring, walls, faults… Here are all the padel rules explained simply so you can play your first match with confidence.",false,"md","/images/blog/padel-rules.jpg",{},"[object Object]","Padel rules explained simply | Padeligo",true,null,"/en/blog/padel-rules-explained-simply",{"title":5,"description":607},"en/blog/padel-rules-explained-simply","padel-rules","yF7KtU-bS1_T2G8kFaHz8BrwQDwR05n2vXV2PxTjSUU",[622,626,630],{"locale":623,"slug":624,"categories":625},"fr","regles-du-padel-expliquees-simplement",[605],{"locale":627,"slug":628,"categories":629},"en","padel-rules-explained-simply",[605],{"locale":631,"slug":632,"categories":633},"es","reglas-del-padel-explicadas-facil",[605]]