Wrist Strap Rules

The wrist strap (also called a safety cord or lanyard) is a mandatory piece of safety equipment in padel. It is a short cord that connects the racket handle to the player’s wrist.

Why It Is Required

Padel involves fast, powerful strokes. Without a wrist strap, a racket could fly out of a player’s hand and injure a partner, opponent, or spectator. The enclosed court design makes this risk particularly significant.

Official Requirement

According to FIP regulations, the wrist strap must be used at all times during play. This applies to:

• All officially regulated matches
• Tournament play at every level
• Club matches played under official rules

What Counts as a Valid Wrist Strap?

Per FIP regulations, the strap must be:

• A non-elastic cord of maximum 35 cm in length
• Fixed into the handle of the racket
• Looped around the player’s wrist during play

Most rackets come with a strap pre-fitted. Replacement straps must meet the non-elastic and maximum-length requirements.

Penalty for Not Using the Strap

If a player is found not wearing the wrist strap during play:

• The referee may issue a warning on first offence
• Repeated non-compliance can result in a point penalty
• In official tournaments, the strap must be worn before play begins

Practical Notes

• The strap should be worn on the dominant wrist (the hand holding the racket)
• It should be tight enough to stay on but not so tight as to restrict blood flow
• Some players wear the strap over their glove or wristband — this is acceptable provided the strap is secure
• If the safety cord breaks or the racket is dropped during a point, the pair immediately loses that point — there is no pause to replace it mid-point (Rule 13r; see ways to lose a point)
• The wrist strap is part of the racket specification — see racket specifications and grip and overgrip