How to Play Padel: Video Tutorials & Rules

New to padel? Watch expert tutorials on serving, lobbing, and positioning, plus read the basic rules—all in one place. Perfect for beginners and tennis clubs looking to add padel to their facilities.

How to Serve in Padel

Learn the correct underhand technique and tips for a consistent serve every time.

How to Lob in Padel

Master the lob shot—an essential skill to regain court position and keep your opponents guessing.

Padel Court Positioning

Understand where to stand, move, and cover the court to work better with your partner and defend or attack effectively.

Padel Foul Shots & Common Mistakes

Avoid beginner errors and learn which shots are not allowed—get tips to play clean and win more points.

Rules of Padel

1. The Court

Padel is played on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court, with glass and mesh walls.
The game is played in doubles (2 vs 2), though singles courts do exist.

2. Serving

The serve must be underhand and hit below waist level.
The server stands behind the service line and serves diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
The ball must first bounce in the server’s box and then land in the opponent’s box.
The server gets two attempts (first and second serve, like tennis).
The serve must bounce before hitting the glass or mesh; if it hits the fence directly, it’s a fault.

3. Scoring

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game.
A set is won by the first team to reach 6 games with a two-game lead. If it’s 6-6, a tiebreak is played.

4. During Play

After the serve, the ball can hit the ground once and then bounce off the glass walls.
Players can play the ball off the glass walls on their side (after it bounces).
The ball may not bounce twice before being returned.
The ball can be played outside the court if it goes over the walls, as long as it bounces in first (in some advanced competitions).

5. Fouls and Faults

Hitting the net with your racket or body.
Letting the ball bounce twice before returning it.
Volleying a serve (returning a serve before it bounces).
Hitting the ball directly into the glass or mesh before it bounces.
The ball bouncing outside the court after touching the ground.

6. Let Serves

If the served ball hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it is a “let” and is replayed.

7. Winning a Point

You win a point when:

The opposing team fails to return the ball.
The opposing team hits the ball out of bounds, into the net, or into the glass/mesh without it bouncing first.