What Happens If You Hit the Ball Twice in Padel?

If you hit the ball twice deliberately with two separate swings, you lose the point. However, if the double contact is accidental and happens during a single continuous stroke, play continues. This distinction is critical and comes up more often than you might expect, especially on defensive shots near the walls.

The FIP Double-Hit Rule

The FIP Rules of Padel (Rule 13) state that a player loses the point if they strike the ball twice deliberately — meaning two distinct hitting motions. However, if the ball makes double contact with the racket during a single, continuous swing, it is considered a legal shot and the rally continues.

This mirrors the rule used in tennis and most other racket sports. The key question is always: was there one swing or two?

When Double Hits Happen

Double hits most commonly occur in these situations:

• Volleys at the net — A fast ball at close range can catch the racket frame and then the strings (or vice versa) in a single motion
• Defensive shots off the back glass — When scrambling to return a ball rebounding off the wall, the racket may make contact twice in one swing
• Mis-hit returns — An awkward body position can cause the ball to clip the racket edge and then the face

In all these cases, if the player made a single swing attempt, the shot is legal regardless of how many times the ball touched the racket.

How Referees Judge It

In officiated matches, the referee watches for two things:

1. Number of swinging motions — One continuous swing = legal; two separate swings = point lost
2. Intent — Was the player trying to hit the ball twice, or did double contact happen involuntarily?

In self-officiated matches (most club play), players should apply the same principle honestly. If you feel you made two distinct swinging motions, call it on yourself.

2026 rule change: The 2026 FIP revision clarified the language around involuntary double hits, explicitly stating that a single continuous swing producing double contact is always legal, regardless of whether the ball changes direction. Previously, some referees penalised double hits that significantly altered the ball’s trajectory, even if they occurred in one swing.

Carrying or Scooping the Ball

A related rule: you may not carry, scoop, or hold the ball on the racket during a stroke. The ball must be cleanly struck. If a player’s swing causes the ball to visibly rest on the strings and then be pushed forward (rather than bouncing off), the point is lost. This is a separate infraction from a double hit, but it sometimes occurs in similar scrambling situations.

What About Your Partner?

If the ball hits both partners in succession — for example, it deflects off one player’s racket and their partner then plays it — the point is lost. Only one player on a team may strike the ball per shot. See ways to lose a point for the full list.

Quick Reference

Situation	Result
Ball touches racket twice in one continuous swing	Legal — play continues
Player makes two separate swings to hit the ball	Point lost
Ball is carried or scooped on the racket	Point lost
Ball hits one partner’s racket then the other partner plays it	Point lost

See also: ball in play · ways to lose a point · faults and lets