Ways to Lose a Point

The FIP Rules of Padel (Rule 13) set out every situation that results in a team losing a point. Understanding these prevents disputes and helps players make accurate line calls during self-officiated matches.

Complete List — Ways to Lose a Point (FIP Rule 13)

A team loses the point when:

During the Serve

1. Double fault — both the first and second serve are faults

Touching the Net or Opponent’s Court

2. Player or equipment touches the net — any player, their racket, or anything worn or carried touches the net, net posts, tension cable, or any part of the opponent’s court while the ball is in play
3. Jumping over the net — any player jumps over the net while the point is being played

Ball Play Faults

4. Ball bounces twice — the ball bounces a second time on the team’s side before they play it
5. Ball does not cross the net — a shot hits the net and falls back on the same side
6. Ball played before it crosses the net — a player strikes the ball on the opponent’s side of the net before it has crossed over (a follow-through that crosses the net plane after the ball was already struck is permitted)
7. Return hits own court then opponent’s wall — if a player returns the ball (directly or off their own walls) and without bouncing first it hits the opponent’s walls, metallic fence, or any element not on the ground of the opponent’s court
8. Return hits net post then opponent’s wall — if the ball touches the net or posts and then directly hits the opponent’s wall, fence, or similar element without bouncing in the opponent’s court first
9. Ball hits own court or fence on player’s side — if after being struck the ball touches the player’s own side of the court ground, their own metallic fence, or any off-court element on their own side before crossing the net

Body and Equipment Contact

10. Ball struck twice — a double hit by the same player. Exception: a double contact that occurs within the same stroke movement without substantially changing the ball’s direction is not a fault
11. Ball touches the hitter’s team after being struck — after hitting the ball, it touches the player who hit it, their partner, or anything worn by either of them
12. Ball hits a player before bouncing — the ball in play hits any part of a player, their clothing, or equipment (other than the racket) after being hit by the opposing team
13. Ball struck with a thrown racket — the ball is hit with a racket that was thrown at it
14. Simultaneous hit by both players — both players on the same team hit the ball simultaneously or consecutively; only one team member may strike the ball per shot
15. Safety cord breaks or racket is dropped — if a player’s safety cord breaks or they drop their racket, the pair immediately loses the point (see wrist strap rules)

Out-of-Court Faults

16. Player’s body is outside the court — a player strikes the ball when any part of their body is outside the court, unless out-of-court play has been specifically authorised for that court

Code Violations

Some code violations (see code of conduct) result in a point penalty, which directly awards a point to the opposing team. These are not rally faults but conduct-related point losses.

Summary Table

Situation	Who loses the point
Double fault	Serving team
Touching net / opponent’s court	Team that touched
Jumping over the net	Team that jumped
Ball bounces twice	Team on whose side it bounced
Shot hits net, stays same side	Team that played the shot
Playing ball before it crosses net	Team that played the shot
Return hits opponent’s wall/fence without bouncing	Team that played the shot
Ball hits player’s body before bouncing	Team struck by ball
Ball touches hitter’s team after being struck	Team that hit the ball
Double hit (with changed direction)	Team that double-hit
Simultaneous hit by both teammates	Team that both hit
Cord breaks or racket dropped	Team of player involved
Player’s body outside court (no OOC authorized)	Team of player involved
Deliberate interference	Team that interfered
Code violation point penalty	Team that committed violation