Is a foot on the line at the serve a fault?

Yes. You may not touch the end line or the court before you've struck the serve.

Is touching the net a fault?

Touching the net while playing the ball is a fault. Incidental contact outside the action is usually allowed.

May the libero serve?

Under the official FIVB rules, no. Some national and recreational competitions allow the libero to serve in one rotation — check your competition.

Does a block count as one of the three touches?

No. A block doesn't count, so your team still has three touches afterwards.

When is a double touch a fault?

Two touches in a row by the same player is a fault — except on the first team touch (the pass/reception).

The ball lands on the line — in or out?

In. A ball touching any part of the line is good.

Catching or carrying the ball?

A held, caught or thrown ball is a fault — it must be a clean contact.

Can you play the ball with your foot?

Yes. Any body part may touch the ball.

May a back-row player attack?

Only from behind the 3-metre line. From in front of it they may not attack a ball above net height.

What is a rotation or overlap fault?

At the moment of the serve the players aren't in the correct rotational order. That costs you the point.

How do you win a set and a match?

A set to 25 with a two-point margin (deciding set to 15); a match is usually best of five.

May you step onto the opponents' side?

A foot may touch the centre line as long as part stays on your side; fully crossing and interfering is a fault.

Padel rules — the rules explained

The basics

The court is 20 × 10 m, enclosed by glass walls and mesh, with a net in the middle.
Padel is always doubles (2 v 2).
Scoring is like tennis: 15 – 30 – 40 – game; a set to 6 games (by two), a tiebreak at 6-6.
The serve is underarm: let the ball bounce first, hit it below waist height and serve diagonally.
After one bounce the ball may be played off your own walls — that's what makes padel unique.

Common questions

The serve

Is the serve really only underhand?

Yes — underhand, below waist height, bounced once behind the service line and hit diagonally into the service box. You get two attempts.

The serve clipped the net and still landed in the box — fault or replay?

That's a 'let': you simply replay the serve, no penalty (as long as the ball doesn't then hit the fence before the second bounce).

The serve bounced in the box and then hit the fence — valid?

No, that's a fault. After the bounce the ball may touch the glass, but not the metal fence.

Can I volley the return of serve?

No. The serve must bounce before you return it.

The ball and the walls

Can I use my own back wall?

Yes. After the ball bounces once on your floor, it may come off your own glass (and even the fence) and you still play it back over the net.

Can the ball hit my wall before the floor?

No. On your side the ball must hit the floor first; if it hits your glass or fence before the bounce, you lose the point.

Can I return the ball off my own glass?

Yes, you may deliberately play the ball into your own glass so it goes over the net — but not off the metal fence; that's a fault.

My shot hit the opponents' wall before their floor — good or out?

Out. Your ball must bounce on their floor first before it touches any of their walls.

The ball flew out over the fence after bouncing in — who wins the point?

If the ball first bounces correctly in the court and then flies out over the fence or glass, it's usually a point for the hitter. Some courts with a side opening let you run outside to play it back — check the club rules.

Points and conduct

What exactly is the golden point?

At 40-40 a single deciding point is played; the receiving pair chooses the side. Note: the golden point is optional — many recreational games just play advantage.

The ball hit me — what happens?

If the ball touches you or your clothing (before the second bounce), you lose the point.

Can I touch the net or enter the opponents' side?

No. Touching the net while the ball is in play, or stepping onto the opponents' court, costs you the point.

When do we change ends?

After every odd number of games played — so after game 1, 3, 5, and so on.