The explosive growth of padel across the globe is a testament to its fun, social, and accessible nature. Yet, with this surge of new players comes a common courtside phenomenon; the friendly debate that quickly turns into a heated argument over a misunderstood rule. Is that a fault? Can you hit the fence? Was that serve too high? These questions can disrupt the flow of a great match and create unnecessary tension. Padel, while simple to pick up, has nuances that often get lost in translation from tennis or squash. Understanding the specific violations is not just about knowing the rulebook; it’s about ensuring fair play, building confidence in your game, and keeping the focus on the thrilling rallies. This guide will serve as your ultimate reference, demystifying the most common and confusing violations in padel. We will break down everything from the intricate service rules to the perplexing interactions with the walls and net, turning you into a knowledgeable and respected player on any court.
The serve the foundation of every point
The serve in padel is where many points, and arguments, begin. Unlike tennis, the padel serve is an underhand motion, but several specific rules must be followed to execute it legally. The first major point of confusion is the height of the contact. A player must strike the ball at or below waist level at the moment of impact. A ‘waist’ is generally considered an imaginary line at the navel. Hitting the ball above this line is an immediate fault. Secondly, the player must have at least one foot on the ground behind the service line when serving. Stepping on or over the service line before the ball is struck constitutes a foot fault. You cannot walk, run or jump while serving; a small, non-progressive foot movement is acceptable. Before striking the ball, the server must bounce it once on the ground in the service box they are standing in. The serve must then travel diagonally across the net and land in the opponent’s corresponding service box. If it hits the net and then lands in the correct box, it is a let and the serve is replayed. However, if after hitting the net it lands outside the box, it is a fault. A server gets two attempts, a first and second serve, just like in tennis. Understanding these foundational elements is crucial for starting every point correctly and avoiding giving away easy points before the rally even begins.
Navigating the net a player’s forbidden zone
The net in padel is much more than just a divider; it’s a ‘no-go’ zone during play. The rule is simple yet absolute, if the ball is in play, no part of a player or their equipment can touch the net. This includes your racket, clothing, hands, or any other part of your body. The violation results in an immediate loss of the point for the player who made contact. This rule applies to the entire net structure, including the net itself, the net posts, and the center strap. The most common scenario where this fault occurs is during a follow-through on a volley or a smash close to the net. A player might win the point with a brilliant shot but lose it a moment later by carelessly letting their racket or body drift into the net before the point is officially over. A point is considered over only when the ball bounces twice, goes out of play, or a fault is committed. Therefore, even if your winning shot has already bounced on the opponent’s side, you must maintain your balance and awareness until the ball is ‘dead’. It is also a fault to reach over the net to hit the ball on the opponent’s side, with one very specific and advanced exception involving the ball bouncing on your side and spinning back towards the opponent’s court. For nearly all players, the golden rule is to respect the net’s boundary at all times to avoid giving away a hard-earned point.
Understanding the walls and fence your frenemies in the game
The glass walls and metallic fence are what make padel unique, but they are also a source of significant confusion for new players. The primary rule to remember is this; to return the ball to your opponents, it must first bounce on the ground on their side of the court. You cannot, under any circumstances, hit the ball directly into your opponent’s fence or walls. Doing so is a fault, and you lose the point. The walls become your allies when the ball is on your side of the court. After the ball bounces once on your side, you can let it rebound off any of your walls (back or side) and then hit it back to your opponent. This defensive play is a cornerstone of padel strategy. A common mistake is when a player hits the ball, it lands on the opponent’s court, and then bounces into the fence or wall. This is a valid shot, and the opponent must play the ball after it comes off their wall. Confusion often arises with the metallic fence. Hitting the ball directly onto the fence on your own side after the bounce is legal. However, the sound and irregular rebound can be tricky. As the International Padel Federation (FIP) rules state
A ball that hits any of the walls on the opponent’s court after bouncing on the ground is in play and must be returned before it bounces on the ground for a second time.
This principle is key to understanding rallies. Always remember; the ball must bounce on the ground first on the opponent’s side.
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Double trouble the double bounce and double hit
Two of the most straightforward yet frequently missed calls in a fast-paced game are the double bounce and the double hit. The double bounce rule is fundamental to the game’s scoring. A player or team loses the point if the ball bounces twice on their side of the court before they can return it. This can happen during a long rally, on a tricky drop shot, or when a ball rebounds slowly off the back wall. Awareness and quick feet are essential to prevent this fault. It requires good communication between partners, with players often shouting ‘yours’ or ‘mine’ to ensure someone gets to the ball before that critical second bounce. While simple in theory, in the heat of the moment, it can be tough to judge if a ball has bounced twice, especially on angled shots near the corners. The second violation, the double hit, is a bit more nuanced. A player is not allowed to hit the ball twice in a single stroke motion. If the racket makes contact with the ball more than once in a single swing, it is a fault. For example, if you attempt a volley and the ball hits the frame and then the strings in two distinct impacts, you lose the point. However, the rules do allow for an unintentional double hit as long as it occurs during a single, continuous swing motion. This is a judgment call, but generally, if the swing is one fluid movement and not two separate attempts to strike the ball, it is often considered legal. Honesty and sportsmanship are paramount when calling this type of fault on yourself.
Body contact and player interference rules
Padel is a game of rackets, not bodies. The rules regarding body contact are very clear to ensure player safety and fair play. If the ball touches any part of a player or their partner before being returned, it is a fault. This includes your hands, arms, legs, or torso. The only exception is the racket hand itself, which is considered part of the racket. So, if the ball hits your hand while you are holding the racket, play continues. This rule applies even if the contact is unintentional. For instance, if your opponent hits a powerful smash and it hits your partner before it bounces on the ground, your team loses the point. This is a crucial distinction from when the ball hits an opponent *after* it has bounced correctly on their court. If you hit a valid shot that bounces once on the opponent’s side and then strikes one of them before they can return it, you win the point. Another area is player interference. While you cannot touch the net, you also cannot interfere with an opponent’s shot. Deliberately distracting an opponent through shouting, waving your arms, or other unsportsmanlike actions is not allowed and can result in losing the point. The game is built on respect, and allowing your opponents the space and focus to play their shots is a key part of that ethos. Always be mindful of your position and actions to ensure you are not inadvertently creating an interference situation.
Venturing outside the court the legality of the smash recovery
One of the most spectacular plays in professional padel is the ‘por fuera’, where a player runs outside the court to return a ball. This is a legal but highly advanced maneuver that is subject to specific rules and court construction. This situation arises when an opponent hits a powerful smash (often called a ‘por tres’ or ‘por cuatro’) that bounces on your court and then leaves the enclosed playing area entirely. If your court has official open exits at the sides, you are permitted to leave the court through these doors to chase the ball down and hit it back into the opponent’s court. To be a valid return, the ball must travel back into the playing area, usually over the net or, in some cases, around the net post, and land within the opponent’s court. This play requires incredible speed, anticipation, and a deep understanding of ball trajectory. For most amateur players, this scenario is rare, as many social clubs do not have courts with the required open exits. Attempting to jump over the side wall on a closed court is not legal and is dangerous. While it is exciting to watch the pros execute this move, for the vast majority of matches, the rule is simple; if the ball bounces on your court and then leaves the enclosure, the point is lost. Knowing this rule helps you appreciate the athleticism of the professionals while keeping your own game grounded in the realities of your court.
Mastering the rules of padel is just as important as perfecting your bandeja or vibora. By understanding the nuances of faults, from the serve to the net and walls, you eliminate confusion and potential conflict, allowing the game to flow smoothly. We have covered the critical violations; the underhand serve below the waist, the sacred boundary of the net, the correct way to use the walls, and the finality of a double bounce. Knowing these rules transforms you from a casual participant into a confident and knowledgeable player. It fosters better sportsmanship and allows you to focus your mental energy on strategy and execution rather than on-court debates. The next time you step onto the court, you will be better equipped to make fair calls for yourself and your opponents. Embrace the rules not as limitations, but as the framework that makes this fast-growing sport so compelling and enjoyable for everyone involved. Play hard, play fair, and most importantly, play with clarity.
