Padel rules: the complete beginner's guide

Padel is a racket sport played 2 vs 2 on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. You use a solid, stringless racket and a slightly depressurised tennis ball. The scoring is identical to tennis, the serve is underarm, and the glass walls are part of play — which is why rallies last longer and beginners can enjoy a real game on day one.

• Court size: 20m long by 10m wide, divided by a net about 88cm high in the middle.
• Walls: glass back walls and mesh side fencing enclose the court. Service boxes are marked by a service line 6.95m from the net and a centre line.
• Racket: solid, perforated, no strings, with a mandatory wrist strap.
• Ball: like a tennis ball but with slightly lower pressure.
• Shoes: clay or omni court soles grip best on the sand-dressed artificial turf.

1. Stand behind the service line, feet still, and bounce the ball on the ground once.
2. Hit the ball at or below waist height — contact must be below your waist, and the racket head at or below the wrist.
3. The serve must land in the service box diagonally opposite you.
4. It may then hit the back glass and stay in play. If it touches the side fence or mesh after bouncing, it's a fault.
5. You get two attempts. Serving alternates between teams each game, and sides alternate each point.

Points run 15, 30, 40, game. At 40-40 (deuce) a team must win two points in a row, unless you agree to play a golden point — a single deciding point, common in tournaments and casual play alike.

A set goes to the first team to six games with a two-game margin; at 6-6 you play a tie-break to seven points (two-point margin). Matches are usually best of three sets.

This is what makes padel different. After the ball bounces once on your side, it may rebound off your own glass or fencing and you can still return it. You may also play the ball off your own wall so that it goes back over the net.

• Legal: floor first, then any wall on your side, then you hit it.
• Illegal: the ball hits your wall before bouncing on your floor.
• A shot that lands in the opponents' court and then leaves the court through the opening is valid — and yes, you may run outside to play it where the club allows it.
• A ball hitting the opponents' wall before bouncing on their floor is your error.

• Double bounce on your side, or a ball hitting you or your partner: point lost.
• Touching the net, posts or entering the opponents' side: point lost.
• Hitting the ball twice, or both partners hitting it: point lost.
• A serve that clips the net and lands in the correct box is a let — replay that serve. If it clips the net and then hits the side fence, it's a fault.
• Beginner habit to break: smashing everything. Control and placement beat power in padel.

Most social padel in Moldova is played in one of three formats, and you'll see all of them on PadelHub tournaments.

• Americano — you rotate partners every round and score individually to a fixed point total per match. Best format for meeting players.
• Mexicano — same point-based matches, but each round is seeded by the current standings so games stay close.
• Competitive matches — standard sets between fixed pairs. On PadelHub these affect your ELO rating once at least three of the four players confirm the score.

Padel levels are usually written from 1.0 (first time on court) to 7.0 (professional). PadelHub converts your ELO rating into that scale, so a 1000 ELO player shows as level 3.0. Matches and tournaments can set a minimum level so games stay balanced — check your level on the player rankings.

• Arrive a few minutes early — courts are booked in strict blocks.
• Call your own lines honestly; if you're unsure, replay the point.
• Warm up together for five minutes before starting.
• Announce the score before each serve.
• Bring your own ball if you can, and leave the court clean.

How does scoring work in padel?

Padel uses tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, game. Games are won by two clear points, sets are first to six games with a two-game lead, and a tie-break is played at 6-6. Most matches are best of three sets.

Can the ball bounce off the walls in padel?

Yes. After the ball bounces once on your side of the court, it may hit the glass or mesh walls and still be played. What you cannot do is let it bounce twice, or hit the walls on your own side before it bounces on the floor.

How do you serve in padel?

The serve is underarm. Bounce the ball behind the service line, strike it at or below waist height, and land it diagonally in the opponent's service box. You get two attempts, exactly like tennis.

Is padel played only in doubles?

Almost always. Standard padel is 2 vs 2 on a 20m x 10m enclosed court. Singles padel exists but is played on a narrower court and is rare.

What is an Americano padel tournament?

In an Americano, you rotate partners every round and score individually. Each match is played to a fixed total of points, and the final ranking sorts players by total points won.

What is a Mexicano padel tournament?

In a Mexicano, pairings for each round are seeded by the current standings, so players with similar results face each other. It keeps matches close as the tournament progresses.