New to padel? You’re in the right place. One of the best things about this sport is how easy it is to learn - the rules are straightforward, the pace is sociable, and you’ll be rallying in no time. Whether you're coming from tennis, squash, or starting fresh, padel is designed to be accessible and fun for all levels. Here’s a simple guide to the essential rules - from serving and scoring to using the walls.
Padel is most commonly played as doubles that’s two players on each side. While singles does exist (and we’ve written more on that HERE), the game is built for teamwork. The court is enclosed with glass and mesh walls, and those walls are very much part of the action. Once the ball has bounced, you can play it off the walls to keep the rally going it adds a tactical twist and keeps points alive longer than in most racquet sports.
Padel uses the same scoring format as tennis:
0 (Love) → 15 → 30 → 40 → Game
- To win a game, your team needs to win by two clear points. If the score reaches 40–40 (deuce), play continues until one side wins two points in a row.
- A set is won by the first team to reach six games, again by two clear games (for example, 6–4 or 7–5). If the score hits 6–6, a tie-break is usually played.
- A full match is best of three sets though in social or time-limited play, it’s common to play just one set.
Every point begins with a serve but unlike tennis, padel serves must be underarm. Here’s how it works:
- The ball must bounce once behind the service line before you strike it and the contact point must be below the hip
- You hit the serve diagonally across the court into the opposite service box
- The ball must land in the box without touching the side fencing though it can bounce off the glass
- You get two attempts to make a legal serve
Each player serves for an entire game, then the serve switches to the next player (rotating between teams). Players also change sides after every odd-numbered game - 1, 3, 5, and so on to keep things fair.
This is what makes padel unique. The walls aren’t just a quirky design feature, they’re a core part of the game. Once the ball has bounced on your side, it can rebound off the glass and still be played. You can also use the glass on your own side to return the ball back over the net, creating clever angles or buying time on defence. You’ll quickly learn how the ball rebounds and how to use it to your advantage and that’s when the game really starts to get fun.
Like any sport, there are a few basics to remember when it comes to faults:
- Letting the ball bounce twice on your side before returning it
- Hitting the ball into the net
- Hitting the ball directly into a wall or fence surface on your opponents side without it bouncing within the court first
- Hitting the ball into the fence on your side of the court
- Serving incorrectly e.g. missing the correct service box or hitting the fence
Don’t stress if you forget something most players are happy to guide you through the rules. Padel has a friendly, welcoming culture, and mistakes are part of learning.
There’s no better way to understand the rules than by playing. Our Intro to Padel sessions are designed to get you started - we’ll walk you through the rules, teach you the key shots and have you playing points before the session ends.
