Padel

01

Match format

Scoring: tennis-style points — 0, 15, 30, 40, game. At 40–40 (deuce), many events use a golden point (next rally wins the game).
Sets: first to 6 games, win by 2; at 6–6 play a 7-point tiebreak (win by 2).
Match: typically best of 3 sets; a 10-point match tiebreak may replace the third set — event decides.
Doubles only: standard padel is two teams of two; service rotation and court sides follow FIP doubles procedure.

02

Underhand: contact must be at or below waist level with the racket moving upward — no overhead or flat drives.
Bounce first: drop or release the ball, let it bounce on the ground, then hit it into the diagonal service box.
Feet: at least one foot on the ground behind the service line; feet may not touch the line until after contact.
Two serves: fault on first serve → second serve; double fault loses the point.

03

Order: the serving team alternates servers every game; partners also swap service courts after each point while serving.
Receiving: the receiving pair decides who returns on the deuce vs ad side and keeps that side for the set unless they change ends.
Change ends: after odd-numbered total games in a set (1, 3, 5…) and every 6 points in a tiebreak.

04

After the bounce: once the ball has bounced on your side of the court, you may play it off your back wall or side fences — including after it rebounds from them.
Opponent’s walls: you may not send the ball directly into the opponent’s back wall or side fence without it bouncing on your side first.
Service box: on the serve, the ball must bounce inside the correct service box before touching any wall; hitting the net then the box is a let.
Grill / door: permanent fixtures (mesh, doors) are part of the court — if the ball strikes them in play, the rally continues unless the rules call it out.

05

Lines: any part of the ball touching the line is in (except service-line faults on serve).
Double bounce: if the ball bounces twice on your side before you return it, you lose the point.
Net: do not touch the net, posts, or opponent’s court while the ball is live.
Volley: you may volley (except on the serve return — the serve must bounce on the receiver’s side first).

06

Serve faults: wrong box, foot fault, overhand motion, failure to bounce before contact, or ball hitting the fence before the service-box bounce.
Service let: serve clips the net and lands in the correct box — replay that serve (first or second).
Body contact: ball hits you or your partner, or you hit the ball twice — point to the opponents.
Hindrance: deliberate interference loses the point; unintentional disturbance may be a let at the referee’s discretion.

07

Calling: without a referee, players call balls on their side; if unsure, the ball is in.
Foot faults: call your own service foot faults when you are certain.
Pace: keep play moving — excessive delay between points can be penalized in competition.
Safety: stop play immediately if a ball from another court enters yours; replay the point when agreed.

08

Changeovers: follow event timing between games and sets (typically 90 s at change of ends, 120 s between sets).
Medical timeout: request from the referee when available; duration and limits are set by the competition.
Coaching: only where regulations allow — usually between sets or during authorized breaks, not during live rallies.
Misconduct: verbal abuse, racket throwing, or intentional distraction can escalate from warning to point, game, or match penalty.