Conduct & Discipline

Padel is played at close quarters. Four players share a small enclosed court, the ball moves at speed, and the competitive pressure of a close match can test anyone’s composure. The FIP conduct and discipline system exists to protect the integrity of competition, ensure that all players are treated fairly, and maintain the respect for opponents, officials, and spectators that the sport demands.

Understanding the conduct rules is not about learning where the lines are so you can approach them — it is about knowing the framework that keeps matches competitive and fair. Players who understand the system are better equipped to manage their own behaviour under pressure, recognise when a penalty is being correctly or incorrectly applied, and navigate disputes through the proper channels.

The Penalty Ladder

FIP conduct penalties escalate through a clearly defined ladder. The first violation results in a conduct warning — a formal acknowledgement that the player has breached the code. The second violation costs a point. The third costs a game. Further violations can result in disqualification from the match. The penalties and sanctions guide explains every step on the ladder, what resets between matches, and how penalties are documented in the official match record.

The ladder is designed to deter escalation. A player who receives a conduct warning understands that the next violation has a concrete cost — not just a second warning. In practice, most players who receive a warning adjust their behaviour and the match proceeds without further incident. The system works precisely because the consequences are transparent and proportionate.

Direct Disqualification Offences

Some conduct violations are serious enough to bypass the penalty ladder entirely. Physical contact with an official or opponent, deliberate racket or ball abuse directed at a person, or threats of any kind result in immediate disqualification. The direct disqualification guide lists every offence that triggers automatic disqualification under the 2026 FIP rules and explains the post-match reporting process that follows.

2026 rule change: The 2026 revision expanded the list of direct disqualification offences to include deliberate time-wasting when already on a game penalty. Previously, a player who received a game penalty could still stall without risking disqualification. Under the new rules, deliberate time-wasting after a game penalty is treated as a disqualification offence.

Racket and Equipment Abuse

Throwing or slamming a racket is one of the most visible conduct violations in padel. Beyond being dangerous in an enclosed court, it is a breach of the code of conduct regardless of whether the racket makes contact with anything. The racket and equipment abuse guide explains exactly what constitutes abuse under FIP rules, the distinction between accidental racket drops and deliberate throws, and the penalty that applies. Ball abuse — deliberately striking a ball outside of normal play — is covered in the ball abuse guide.

Coaching Rules

On-court coaching during play is restricted under FIP tournament regulations. Coaches may not give instructions while the ball is in play, may not enter the court during a match except during permitted medical timeouts, and are subject to conduct penalties if they interfere with play. The coaching rules guide explains the boundaries of permitted coaching, the positioning rules for coaching staff during matches, and the escalating penalties for coaching violations.

Understanding coaching rules is particularly important for players in events where a coach or parent is courtside. A well-intentioned word of encouragement at the wrong moment can result in a conduct point being awarded to the opponents.

The Best Efforts Rule

Padel’s best efforts rule requires that players make a genuine attempt to win every point throughout the match. Deliberately conceding points, tanking sets, or visibly not competing at full effort is a conduct violation. The best efforts rule guide explains how the rule is applied, the threshold for what constitutes a violation, and the circumstances — injury, exhaustion, tactical decisions — that are and are not covered by it.

Player Identification

In sanctioned tournaments, players must be correctly identified and registered in the draw. The player identification guide covers the requirements for photo ID, registration procedures, and what happens when a player arrives without required documentation. Playing under a false identity or substituting an unregistered player is a serious breach with significant consequences for both the player and their club.

Prize Ceremony Conduct

Players who advance to finals and semi-finals in sanctioned events are required to attend the prize ceremony. Failure to attend without prior permission from the tournament director is a conduct violation. The prize ceremony conduct guide explains the obligation and the process for requesting an exemption.

Competing With Integrity

The conduct and discipline framework is ultimately about the kind of sport padel is and aspires to be. Players who understand it — who know both their obligations and their rights — compete with a clarity that benefits everyone on the court. Browse the conduct and discipline guides below for the full detail of the FIP rules that govern player behaviour.