Padel is fast, social, and highly addictive, but to truly enjoy it, players need a clear understanding of how the game works. This guide explains the essential padel tennis rules every Dubai player should know to play with confidence and make smarter decisions on court.
What are the basic padel rulesbeginners need to know?
Padel is always played in doubles on an enclosed court, and the walls are part of the playing area. The objective is to win points by making the ball bounce twice on your opponents’ side or by forcing an error.
Players may use the glass walls after the ball has bounced once. This creates longer rallies and places a strong emphasis on positioning, teamwork, and patience.
How does serving work in padel?
The padel serve is underarm and designed to start the rally rather than overpower opponents. The ball must bounce before being struck and must be hit below waist height, landing diagonally in the opponent’s service box.
Players are allowed two serve attempts. If the ball touches the net and still lands correctly, the serve is replayed as a let. A reliable serve focuses on consistency and placement, which is especially important in padel, where rallies often decide points.
How does scoring in padel work?
Padel utilizes a scoring system where points are counted as 15, 30, 40, deuce, and advantage. Games make up sets, and most recreational matches are played as the best of three sets. Because padel rallies tend to last longer, scoring often rewards teams that stay composed under pressure.
How do the walls affect play during a rally?
The walls are what truly distinguish padel from other racket sports. After the ball bounces on your side of the court, you may let it rebound off the glass before returning it. If the ball hits the wall before bouncing, the point is over.
Learning how the walls influence ball angles is central to understanding the rules and regulations for the padel court. Skilled players use the glass to recover position, control the pace of play, and force opponents into difficult shots.
Can players leave the court to return a ball?
Yes, on courts where out-of-court play is permitted. In certain situations, the ball may bounce and then fly out of the court through the side doors. Players are allowed to leave the court and return the ball before it bounces a second time.
This rule adds an exciting element to padel and rewards awareness and quick reactions. Knowing this rule helps players recognize opportunities as their confidence grows.
Where can players find the complete official padel rules?
Players who want to explore the full technical details of the sport can refer to the official documentation published by the International Padel Federation. These documents serve as the global reference for padel rules and regulations and are used worldwide, including in the UAE. The complete collection of official materials is available through the International Padel Federation’s documents library.
Put your padel knowledge into practice with Padel Pro
Padel Pro has the facilities, community, and knowledge to support players at every stage of their padel journey. Explore Padel Pro’s different locations across Dubai to experience a variety of courts and playing conditions. For players looking to improve faster, structured services such as coaching, match play, and training sessions can help turn rule knowledge into real performance gains. If you have questions or want help getting started, feel free to contact us.
