PADEL RULES
Padel Rules — The Complete 2026 Guide
The official rules of padel, clearly explained. Based on the 2026 FIP rulebook — covering scoring, serving, wall play, court dimensions, and equipment specs in one place.
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Practical coach tips, drills, and technique breakdowns to level up your game.
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Essential reading for new players
Who Serves First in Padel? — Service Order Rules Explained
Who serves first in padel? Learn the official service order rules — who receives, when service rotates, and how first serve is decided.
Padel Scoring System Explained — Points, Sets & Tie-Breaks (2026)
How does padel scoring work? Points go 15, 30, 40, game — with sets, tie-breaks, and the 2026 Star Point rule at deuce. Simple guide with clear examples.
Padel Court Dimensions 2026 — Official Measurements & Diagram
Official padel court dimensions: 20m × 10m (200 m²). See the labelled diagram with wall heights, net specs, and service box measurements — FIP 2026 standard.
Rules of Padel at a Glance
The rules of padel are simple to learn, but wall play is what makes the sport unique. Padel is played in doubles on an enclosed 20 × 10 m court surrounded by glass walls and metal fencing. Scoring mirrors tennis — points go 15, 30, 40, game — but after the ball bounces once on your side, it can rebound off any wall and still be in play.
Serving in padel is underhand. The server bounces the ball, then strikes it at or below waist height, sending it diagonally into the opponent's service box. Full details and fault rules are in the serve rules guide.
Scoring at deuce offers three official options since the 2026 FIP update: classic Advantage, the new Star Point, or the Golden Point. The 2026 rulebook also tightened serve rules and introduced racket-drop penalties — see the full 2026 rule changes.
New to the sport? The beginner's guide to padel rules explains everything in plain language. Have a specific question? Browse the padel rules FAQ for quick answers on scoring, serves, wall play, and more.
Want every rule in one place? The padel rules list covers all 14 rule areas — court, ball, racket, serve, scoring, wall play, faults, and conduct — with links to the detailed guides. Playing in a competition? See tournament rules for match formats, timing, conduct, and FIP competition regulations.
239 articles
A1 Padel (APT) Circuit Explained — The Alternative Professional Padel Tour
Complete guide to the A1 Padel circuit (formerly APT Padel Tour) — its origins, event structure, how it differs from Premier Padel, and its role.
Agustín Tapia: The Magician of Padel — Trick Shots & Career Profile
Complete profile of Agustín Tapia — Argentina's creative genius, nicknamed 'The Magician' for his trick shots, incredible touch, and unpredictable.
Alejandro Galán: Career, Playing Style & World #1 Ranking
Complete profile of Ale Galán — the Spanish left-side padel star, former world #1, known for his defensive mastery, lobs, and dominant partnership.
Alejandra Salazar — Career, Titles & Legacy in Women's Padel
Complete career profile of Alejandra Salazar — the Spanish right-side professional with multiple World Championship titles and one of the longest winning careers in women's professional padel.
Álex Ruiz: Tactical Intelligence & Consistent Right-Side Padel Mastery
Profile of Alejandro 'Álex' Ruiz — the Spanish right-side padel player known for tactical intelligence, defensive solidity, and consistent all-round play.
Alternative Scoring Methods
FIP Rule 1 permits three official alternative scoring formats — the Mini Set (4 games), Match Tie-Break (7 points), and Super Match Tie-Break (10 points).
Amsterdam Major Padel 2026 — Dates, Results & How to Watch
Complete guide to the Amsterdam Major 2026 — dates, venue, prize money, key players, how to watch, and tickets for Premier Padel's Netherlands Major in Amsterdam.
APT Padel Tour 2026 — A1 Padel Season Guide, Events and What to Expect
Complete guide to the APT Padel Tour in 2026, now known as A1 Padel — tournament structure, event calendar, how it compares to Premier Padel, and its role.
Ariana Sánchez — Profile, Playing Style & Career Titles
Full profile of Ariana Sánchez, the elite right-side player from Pamplona. Discover her playing style, partnership with Gemma Triay, career titles.
Arturo Coello: Padel's Youngest World #1 and Rising Superstar
Profile of Arturo Coello — the Spanish prodigy who became the youngest world #1 in padel history, known for explosive athleticism, speed, and shot variety.
Babolat Padel Rackets 2026 — Best Models & Technology Guide
Explore the full Babolat padel racket range for 2026. Compare the Viper, Counter, and Technical lines — with prices, player endorsements, and our best picks.
La Bajada in Padel — Taking the Ball Off the Back Wall
Learn how to hit la bajada in padel. This guide covers the technique for taking the ball off the back wall on the way down, when to use it, common.
Ball Abuse: Emotional Control and Fair Play in Padel
Ball abuse (hitting balls away, damaging them, or throwing them dangerously) is a code violation. Learn what counts as abuse vs. normal frustration, why the rule exists, and how penalties escalate.
What Happens If the Ball Hits a Player in Padel?
If the ball hits a player's body in padel, that player's team loses the point — with limited exceptions. Full FIP rule breakdown with scenarios.
Padel Ball in Play Rules: When Is the Ball Live?
FIP Rule 12 defines when the ball is in play in padel, when it is out of play, and how walls, the net, and out-of-court situations affect the rally.
What Happens When the Ball Goes Out of the Court in Padel?
When the ball leaves the padel court through an open door or over the fence, the point may continue if a player can retrieve it.
Padel Ball Specifications: Why Balls Matter More Than You Think
FIP padel ball specifications control bounce, durability, and consistency. Learn why balls differ from tennis, how altitude affects play, and why tournaments use approved balls.
The Bandeja in Padel — How to Hit It and When to Use It
Learn how to hit the bandeja in padel. This guide covers technique, body position, when to choose bandeja over smash, and how it keeps you at the net.