Rules And Equipment

What is a fault?

The ball can generally be played as a volley, but must first touch the ground on the return of a serve. Direct contact with the player's own or the opponent's mesh side wall or the back wall leads to a fault. However, a return played off one's own glass side wall is allowed.

Is my returned ball allowed to directly touch the mesh side wall or the glass?

No, that is a fault.

The ball is played from outside the "cage." Is a return shot allowed?

Yes, in some facilities the doors are not locked. Players can run outside to play the ball back into the opponent's court from there (not possible on some courts, e.g., if they are not at ground level).

A player touches the ball with their padel racket. Their teammate then plays it back into the opponent's court.

Fault. The ball can only be played by one player.

The ball hits a ball lying on the opponent's court. Fault?

No, the game can continue.

The ball bounces off the back wall back into my court after my smash. Fault?

No, that's a point for you. However, the game continues if the opponent touches the ball before it hits the ground in your court. In this case, they are allowed to reach over the net.

During a normal shot, a player reaches over the net with their racket before the point is finished. Fault?

Yes, that is not allowed. Reaching over is only permitted if the ball bounces back from your own side, for example, after a smash.

My opponent or I touch the net during an action. Fault?

Yes, touching the net is not allowed.

The ball hits my opponent's body. Fault?

No, the point goes to you.