New to padel? Here’s everything you actually need to know before stepping on court - from serving and scoring to using the glass and a few simple on-court habits that will instantly make you feel more confident.
Padel Rules Explained: Everything You Need to Know Before Stepping onto the Court
Good news: padel is one of the easiest sports to pick up. Most people are rallying within the first few minutes - and having fun immediately. Here’s everything you need to know before you play.
Padel in One Sentence
Padel is a two vs two racket sport where you win points by hitting the ball over the net and into your opponent’s court in a way they can’t return. The twist? The glass walls are part of the game once the ball has bounced.
How The Game Feels on Court
Padel is played two versus two, on a smaller enclosed court. Because of the walls and the compact space, rallies tend to be longer, more tactical and far more social than most racket sports. You don’t need huge power or perfect technique - just a bit of positioning, patience, and teamwork.
Scoring
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: 15 - 30 - 40 - Game. To win a set, you usually need six games, and matches are typically best of three sets.
Serving
- The serve must be underarm.
- The ball must bounce before you hit it, and be bounced behind the service line.
- You must hit the ball below waist height.
- The serve must go diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
- You get two attempts, just like in tennis.
The Glass Walls
- If the ball bounces on your side and then hits the glass, it is still in play.
- You can let it come off the glass and then play your shot.
- You can also return the ball by playing it off your own glass walls
- If the ball hits the glass before bouncing, the point is over.
At first, it feels like you should chase everything immediately. But part of padel is learning when to let the ball go and trust the rebound. Once you do, rallies get longer, calmer and far more fun.
What Counts as In or Out?
During the serve, the ball is in if it lands inside the court lines or touches the line. Like tennis, the lines are part of the court. During a rally, the ball must first bounce on your opponent’s side before touching the glass or fence. If the ball lands in the court and then hits the glass, it is still in play.
A ball is out if:
- it hits the glass or fence before bouncing on the ground
- it lands outside the court
- it hits the net and does not cross over
- it bounces twice before being returned
- it touches a player’s body
- it is hit directly into your own glass or fence and does not cross the net
For beginners, the easiest way to think about it is this: the ball needs to land in the court first. After that, the walls can become part of the rally.
Is Volleying Allowed?
Yes. You’re allowed to hit the ball before it bounces - this is called a volley. In fact, controlling the net is one of the key parts of padel. Teams that move forward together usually take control of the point. The only exception: when returning serve, you must let it bounce first. After that, volleys are fair game.
A Few Things That Will Instantly Make You Better
You don’t need advanced technique to enjoy padel. A few simple habits go a long way:
- Play with your partner, not as two individuals. Move together, not separately.
- Don’t rush every shot. Padel rewards patience more than power.
- Trust the glass. It will feel strange at first, then become your best friend.
- And most importantly: stay relaxed. The game is designed to keep you in the rally, not knock you out of it.
A Quick Word on Etiquette
Padel is competitive, but it’s also one of the friendliest sports you’ll play. A few unwritten rules make everything smoother:
- Call the score clearly before serving
- Stop the point if a ball from another court rolls onto your court
- Keep any spare balls safely positioned near the net
- Be honest with line calls
- Keep the atmosphere positive
Padel is competitive, but it is also meant to be enjoyable. Whether you are playing with friends, colleagues or people you have just met, good energy makes the game better for everyone.
You’re Ready!
Padel isn’t about knowing every technical detail before you start. It’s about getting on court, hitting a few balls, and letting the game make sense as you go. Within one session, the rules stop feeling like rules - and start feeling like rhythm.
See you on court.
Book your game at Padium Canary Wharf or Padium Cardiff and experience it for yourself.