Padel Rules for Beginners

Padel is easy to try, but the enclosed court and glass walls make it different from tennis. A little knowledge of the serve, scoring and wall rules can help new players enjoy their first match and avoid common disagreements.

There is another useful thing to understand before you play regularly: an injury on court does not automatically mean an insurance claim will be paid. If you are considering personal accident cover, the sport, your level of participation and the policy’s definitions and exclusions all matter. This guide explains the basic rules of padel and the insurance questions worth checking separately.

What is padel?

Padel is usually played as doubles, with two players on each side of a net inside an enclosed court. The court has service boxes like tennis, while glass walls and metal mesh surround the playing area. The walls are part of the game, so a rally can continue after the ball rebounds off the glass or, in the right circumstances, the mesh.

Players use a solid, perforated padel racket rather than a strung tennis racket. The aim is to return the ball legally so the opposing pair cannot return it before it bounces twice on their side.

The basic padel rules

• Padel is normally played as two pairs against each other.
• The ball must cross the net and land in the opponents’ court before touching their wall or cage.
• During a rally, the ball may be played after one bounce or volleyed before it bounces.
• A team must return the ball before it bounces a second time on its side.
• After the ball has bounced on your side, it can rebound off your own glass or mesh before you play it.
• If the ball hits the opponents’ wall or mesh before bouncing on their court, the shot is out.

These are beginner-level summaries, not a substitute for the full rules. Competition formats and specific situations can have additional requirements, so check the current rules and any event regulations if you play competitively.

How does the padel serve work?

Every point starts with an underarm serve. The server first bounces the ball on the ground and strikes it at or below waist height, sending it diagonally into the opposite service box. The server must stand behind the service line and follow the applicable foot-position rules.

Players generally have two attempts to make a legal serve. If the ball clips the net and then lands correctly in the service box without touching the cage first, the serve is normally replayed as a let. A serve that lands in the correct box and then hits the back glass can remain in play, while a serve that hits the cage after bouncing in the service box is a fault.

Before your first game, ask the venue or organiser whether any local social-play conventions apply. For competitive play, use the current official rules rather than relying on informal advice.

How does padel scoring work?

Padel traditionally uses tennis-style scoring: 15, 30, 40 and game. At 40–40, known as deuce, a pair generally needs to win two consecutive points to take the game under the traditional advantage format. Sets are commonly won by the first pair to reach six games with a two-game lead, with a tie-break often used at 6–6.

Scoring formats can vary by competition, and rule changes may affect the format used at a particular event. Confirm the scoring method before a league match or tournament so both pairs know how the game will be decided.

How do the walls affect a rally?

The walls are one of padel’s defining features. If a ball lands in your court first and then rebounds off your glass, you can still play it before it bounces a second time. Players often use that extra rebound to gain time and return a difficult shot.

The order of contact matters. A ball that hits the opponents’ glass or mesh before landing in their court is out. After a legal bounce on their court, the ball may then hit the wall or mesh and remain part of the point. The rules for a serve are different in some wall-and-cage situations, so take extra care when judging a serve.

Common mistakes beginners make

• Trying to serve overarm like in tennis instead of using an underarm serve after a bounce.
• Assuming a ball is out as soon as it touches the glass on your own side.
• Forgetting that the ball must bounce in the opponents’ court before hitting their wall or cage.
• Playing the ball after it has already bounced twice.
• Assuming every injury, treatment cost or missed day of work will be covered by insurance.

Learning the rules can help you understand how points are won and lost, but it cannot remove the risk of strains, sprains, falls or collisions. Warm up, use suitable footwear, follow venue safety guidance and stop playing if you need medical attention.

Does personal accident insurance cover padel injuries?

It may cover some injuries sustained while playing padel, but there is no universal answer. Personal accident insurance is based on the terms of the specific policy. A benefit may be payable only for listed injuries or defined outcomes, and the sport or circumstances may be subject to exclusions.

Do not assume that a policy covers padel simply because it mentions accidental injury or sports. Check whether recreational padel, organised matches, training sessions and competitions are treated differently. If you play at a competitive or paid level, disclose that accurately and ask the insurer to confirm eligibility.

Personal accident cover should not automatically be treated as reimbursement for every medical bill or replacement for lost earnings. Those benefits need to be included in the policy and may have their own limits and conditions.

What should you check before choosing padel injury cover?

• Sport eligibility: does the policy explicitly include padel, and does it cover both training and matches?
• Participation level: are recreational, league, tournament or professional activities treated differently?
• Covered injuries: which injuries or outcomes trigger a benefit, and how is the amount calculated?
• Treatment and rehabilitation: are medical expenses or physiotherapy included, or does the policy pay a defined benefit instead?
• Loss of earnings: is any temporary-disablement benefit included, and what definition, waiting period or limit applies?
• Exclusions and restrictions: check pre-existing conditions, hazardous activities, alcohol-related incidents and any named-sport exclusions where relevant.
• Claims process: find out how quickly you must notify the insurer and what medical evidence or incident details are required.
• Eligibility and cost: check age and residency criteria, premiums, excesses and overall benefit limits.

What if your padel club already has insurance?

A club, league or venue may arrange insurance, but the existence of a policy does not show that every player or every incident is covered. Ask for the policy summary and check who is insured, which activities are included, what benefits apply and whether the cover is limited to organised club activity.

Compare any club-arranged protection with an individual policy you are considering. They may cover different risks, and neither should be assumed to replace the other. If you are a coach or organiser, ask separately about liability cover and the responsibilities associated with your role.

What should you do after an injury on court?

• Get appropriate medical help first and follow professional advice.
• Tell the venue, club or organiser about the incident if required, and ask whether an incident report can be provided.
• Keep relevant records, such as the date and circumstances, witness details, medical documents and receipts.
• Check your policy’s notification deadline and contact the insurer using its stated claims process.
• Provide accurate information and the evidence requested. A claim will be assessed against the actual policy terms; an injury alone does not guarantee payment.

Frequently asked questions

Are padel injuries always covered by personal accident insurance?

No. Cover depends on the policy, the injury, the circumstances and any exclusions. Confirm that padel and your level of participation are eligible before relying on the cover.

Does personal accident insurance pay for physiotherapy after padel?

Not necessarily. Physiotherapy or rehabilitation costs must be included as a benefit and the claim must meet the relevant conditions. Some policies pay specified benefits rather than reimbursing treatment costs.

Will insurance pay my wages if I cannot work after a padel injury?

Do not assume so. Any payment for temporary disablement or lost earnings depends on the policy’s benefits, definitions, limits and waiting periods. Compare income protection if your main concern is longer-term loss of income.

Can I play in tournaments if I have accident cover?

Only if the policy terms allow your type and level of participation. Check how the insurer treats organised competition, league matches and any paid or professional activity.

Is club insurance enough?

It depends on who is insured and what the club policy covers. Ask for the policy details and compare the scope with your own needs before deciding whether additional cover is appropriate.

Your next step

If padel is becoming a regular part of your routine, take time to understand the risks and check what protection, if any, you already have. Compare padel accident cover options, confirm that padel and your level of participation are eligible, and read the benefits, limits and exclusions before applying.