Padel is an accessible sport, but also a technical one in its rules. And while most points are decided without dispute, certain situations regularly provoke debate, particularly in amateur tournaments where players referee themselves.

A look back at several rules that are often confusing, with a clear reminder of what the official regulations stipulate.

The let serves: two balls or not?

This is probably one of the most frequent disputes.

A player serves, the ball hits the net cord, lands in the correct service box, then goes out the door after the first bounce. Should two serves be re-called or should the player proceed directly to the second serve?

The answer depends on one fundamental element: are off-track excursions allowed in the competition in question?

 If outings are permitted , the service is  considered a let The point is not committed and the  server plays a first ball He therefore retains both of his services.

However,  if outings are not permitted ,  la   The ball is considered a foul  as soon as she leaves the court. The server loses his first ball and  must go directly to the second service .

Smash returns to his camp: can we take it back on the fly?

Another much-debated case: when a smash hits the ball back into the player's own court, the ball rebounds back into the player's own court.  It is forbidden to intercept the ball before it has bounced on the ground In other words, it is forbidden to catch it on the volley. If a player catches this ball on the volley, they lose the point even though their smash returned to their court without being touched by the opponents.

In a similar context with the grid

After a winning smash, players have the right to intercept the ball on the volley.  if and only if the ball comes back towards their side and hits the fence in their camp If the ball hits the ground, then the glass, then the fence of the opposing team's camp,  then the player must leave a bounce on the ground in his own half  before he can catch up with her.

Basic rules of service not to be forgotten

He's  It is forbidden to bounce the ball in front of the service line before hitting it. The bounce must be performed.  behind this line .

he is also  It is forbidden to hit the ball above hip level. The service must be  executed below the hip , in a gesture below the belt.

And finally, the service must  must be done after a bounce on the ground .

Play a ball into the opponent's court

The question comes up regularly regarding balls close to the net.

Generally speaking, it is  It is forbidden to hit the ball by passing your racket over the net on the opponent's side. .

La  the only exception  concerns specific situations such as  a retro, a counter-smash, or a track exit where the gesture is the natural consequence of the movement and not an anticipated gain of advantage.

 Apart from these specific cases, taking the ball from the opponent's side results in the loss of the point. .

Going off course after a par 3: what are the limits?

On a par 3, the ball goes over the side wall. The player then has the right to leave the course to attempt to put the ball back into play, if exits are permitted.

However,  certain actions are prohibited . The player  cannot touch the net ,  nor rely on the opposing camp's grid  to stabilize or attempt to play the ball. Any contact with these elements results in the loss of the point, the famous “ TOUCH "of the referee.

Four times four means the end is over

 In case of par 4 The rule is simple:  The point is definitively won by the team that executed the smash. Players cannot even attempt to put the ball back into play after leaving the court.

If everyone knew all these rules, it would prevent many disputes, even arguments! It's therefore good to know them and apply all the rules at every level. Padel.

Eléah Couvercelle

Racket sports have always been a part of my life, and padel was the obvious choice. Discovered in Marbella as a child, it has since become an integral part of my sporting and family life.

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