Is padel the same as tennis?

No. It uses tennis scoring, but the smaller enclosed court, solid racket, underhand serve and walls make it a different game.

Can you hit the ball off the wall in padel?

Yes. After the ball bounces on your side, you can play it off the walls, and you can hit it into your own walls to send it over the net.

How to Play Padel: Rules for Beginners

4 video lessons

The court, the walls, the serve and the scoring, in a few minutes.

Quick answer & tips ▾

Padel is played in doubles on a court about a third smaller than a tennis court, enclosed by glass walls and mesh fencing. Scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, with sets to six games.

The ball must bounce on the ground on your opponents' side before it touches their walls. After that bounce, it stays in play off the walls and you can let it come back to you before hitting it. You can also play the ball against your own walls to get it back over the net. The serve is underhand, bounced first and hit diagonally into the opposite service box.

Key tips

Let the ball come off the back glass instead of rushing it.
Stay side by side with your partner and move as a pair.
Use the lob often; it is one of the best shots in padel.
Short, compact swings work better than full tennis strokes.

FAQ

Is padel the same as tennis?: No. It uses tennis scoring, but the smaller enclosed court, solid racket, underhand serve and walls make it a different game.
Can you hit the ball off the wall in padel?: Yes. After the ball bounces on your side, you can play it off the walls, and you can hit it into your own walls to send it over the net.