The essentials that make padel unique: underhand serves, wall play, and a few etiquette habits that keep matches enjoyable.
Rules · Jan 12, 2026
Padel’s underhand serve reduces early-point randomness and encourages longer rallies. The serve is played after one bounce, below waist height, and cross-court into the service box.
Walls are part of the game: after the ball bounces on your side, it can rebound off the glass/mesh and still be playable. This rewards anticipation and positioning, not just power.
Good match etiquette keeps the game flowing. Call scores clearly, respect lets and replay decisions, and prioritize safety around the net and near the back glass.
- Serve underhand, below waist height, after one bounce
- Use the walls after the bounce on your side
- Play safe: communicate and avoid dangerous swings in tight spaces