Rules of Padel

1. The Basics

Format: Padel is strictly played in pairs as Doubles (2 vs 2).
Court: The court is 20m x 10m, enclosed by glass walls and metal fencing.
Equipment: Padel racquets are solid (no strings) with holes. Wearing the racquet's safety wrist strap is mandatory.

Padel uses the exact same scoring system as Tennis.

Points: 15, 30, 40, Game.
Deuce: If the score is 40-40, it is Deuce. A team must win two consecutive points to win the game (Advantage, then Game).
Sets: The first team to win 6 games with a 2-game lead wins the set.
Tie-Break: If the set reaches 6-6, a tie-break is played. The first team to 7 points (with a 2-point lead) wins the set.
Matches: Matches are typically played as Best of 3 Sets.

Underarm Only: The serve must be hit underarm. The ball must be struck at or below waist level.
The Bounce: The server must stand behind the service line, drop the ball, let it bounce once on the ground, and then hit it.
Diagonally: The serve must travel diagonally over the net and bounce inside the opponent's opposite service box.
The Walls on a Serve: After the serve bounces in the correct box, it is allowed to hit the glass wall. However, if the serve bounces and hits the metal mesh fencing, it is a fault.
Lets: If the serve hits the net, goes over, and lands in the correct service box, it is a "let" and the serve is replayed.
Attempts: Just like tennis, the server gets two attempts (a first and second serve) to start the point.

This is where padel differs entirely from tennis. The walls are part of the game.

One Bounce: The ball can only bounce once on your side of the court. If it bounces twice, you lose the point.
Volleys: You can hit the ball out of the air (volley) at any time, except when returning a serve.
Using Your Walls: If the ball is on your side, you can hit it against your own glass walls to get it back over the net. (You cannot hit it against the metal fence on your side).
Opponent's Walls: When hitting the ball over the net, the ball must bounce on the ground first before touching the opponent's glass or fencing. If your shot hits their wall or fence without bouncing on the ground first, your shot is OUT.
After the Bounce: Once the ball bounces on the ground on your side, it can hit the glass or the metal fence and it remains "live". You can wait for it to bounce off the wall before hitting it back.

Net Touch: You lose the point immediately if you, your partner, or your racquets touch the net during a rally.
Body Hit: You lose the point if the ball hits you or your partner's body before you hit it with the racquet.
Double Hit: You cannot hit the ball twice in a single swing.
Through the Net: You cannot hit the ball before it has crossed over the net onto your side.