5 Padel Rules for Beginners (No Rulebook Required)

Starting to play padel seems simple. The court has walls, the racket is different and the vibe is relaxed.
You grab a few friends and within minutes you’re inside the court.
But that’s exactly when the real game begins — and the real chaos for anyone taking their first steps without knowing the basic padel rules.

Many people assume it’s just tennis with walls.
But they quickly realise there’s an entire world of padel rules, details and dynamics that no one explained.
Or worse — they only learn them after losing the point.

So, we’ve gathered the essential padel rules for beginners, explained in a simple and practical way.
The goal is not to memorise the official rulebook — it’s to understand the essentials so you can start playing with confidence (and fewer arguments).

Rule #1 – The Serve (the classic one)

In padel, you serve underhand.
The ball bounces on the ground first and then must be hit below waist height.

Seems easy… until the first “that was too high!” complaint from the opponent.

And pay attention: if the ball touches the net but still lands in the correct box, you repeat the serve.
It’s basically tennis’ cousin — but with a reputation for causing more confusion than clarity.

Rule #2 – The Wall: the queen of padel

The ball can bounce on the ground, then on the wall, and still be in play.
But if it hits the wall directly… you’re out.

And yes — you can leave the court to return a ball.
It’s legal, spectacular, and happens more often than you think.
But it only counts if the ball comes back over the net without touching anything outside the court.

Rule #3 – Scoring system

Padel uses tennis logic: 15, 30, 40, advantage.

But between switching sides every odd game, confusion over who should serve, and rotating positions… beginners often feel more lost than in a driving theory class.

One moment of distraction and you’re already serving from the wrong side.

Rule #4 – The invisible rules

Touching the net? Fault.
Crossing into your opponents’ side of the court? Also a fault.
Yes — even if the point looks over.

These tiny details often go unnoticed in the heat of the game… but they count.

Rule #5 – Fair play is everything

These basic padel rules make all the difference — not to complicate the game, but to make it fairer, more enjoyable and less likely to end in a debate after every point.

The earlier you learn them, the better the experience — for you and for the people you play with.

I get the padel rules. Now what?

There’s a challenge beyond knowing the rules: actually getting to play.

Because organising a match isn’t just picking a date.
It means matching availability, finding a court, gathering players of similar levels.
For beginners, that can be harder than the game itself.

This is where Tieplayer comes in — an app designed to make life easier for padel players, without drama and without complications.

You have three ways to get on court:

1. Court bookings

Book directly at partner clubs with real-time availability.
No calls, no confusion.

2. Open Games

Create or join public matches near you and play with new people in just a few taps.
No fixed group needed — just the will to play.

3. Matchmaker

Challenge other duos or accept challenges based on your availability and playing level.
Perfect for players who already have a partner and want more structured matches without the pressure of a tournament.