Padel: Rules, Courts, Rackets and Coaching

Padel is played as doubles on an enclosed 10 × 20 m court with the walls in play. In Britain it is governed by the LTA, which was recognised as the sport’s national governing body in November 2020. Rules and specifications on these pages come from the FIP Rules of Padel.

Start here

• New to the sport? Read what padel is, then how to play padel.
• Buying a racket? Start with padel rackets explained, then shapes and cores.
• Coaching? See the padel coaching guide.

All padel guides

• EVA vs Foam Padel Rackets: Which Core Is Right?Soft EVA, hard EVA and foam padel racket cores compared for power, control, comfort and durability, plus how carbon and fibreglass faces change the feel.
• How to Choose the Best Padel Racket for BeginnersA spec-by-spec checklist for a first padel racket: shape, balance, core, face, weight and budget, including advice for women, juniors and tennis converts.
• How to Play Padel: A Beginner's GuideLearn to play padel: the court, the underarm serve, scoring, using the glass, basic shots (volley, lob, bandeja) and positioning, with a first-session plan.
• Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Courts: What's the Difference?Indoor vs outdoor padel courts: FIP ceiling height rules, walls and fencing, weather, light and ball behaviour, and what players and coaches should expect.
• Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls: What's the Difference?Official FIP padel ball and ITF tennis ball specifications compared: diameter, weight and bounce, and whether you can use tennis balls for padel.
• Padel Coaching Guide: Qualifications, Sessions and Equipment AdviceHow to become a padel coach in the UK (LTA Padel Instructor), plus session plans, tennis-to-padel conversion tips and racket advice to give players.
• Padel Court Dimensions and Specifications (FIP)Official padel court size (10 × 20 m), service lines, net height, wall and fence heights and ceiling height from the FIP rules, compared with tennis.
• Padel Equipment Checklist: What You Need to PlayEverything you need for padel: an FIP-compliant racket and strap, padel balls, court shoes, overgrips, frame protection and a bag, plus a coach kit list.
• Padel Levels Explained: Playtomic 0–7 and LTA RankingsHow padel levels work: the Playtomic 0–7 level scale, how LTA Padel rankings are calculated, and a practical self-assessment for players and coaches.
• Padel Racket Shapes: Round vs Teardrop vs DiamondHow round, teardrop and diamond padel rackets differ in balance, sweet spot, control and power, and which shape suits your level and position.
• Padel Rackets Explained: Specs, Materials, Shapes and BalanceHow padel rackets are built and regulated: FIP size limits, carbon vs fibreglass faces, EVA vs foam cores, round, teardrop and diamond shapes, and balance.
• Padel Rackets vs Tennis Rackets: The DifferencesPadel and tennis rackets compared under FIP and ITF rules: length, width, strings vs solid faces, cores, holes, straps and weight, plus what to buy for padel.
• Padel Rules Explained: Scoring, Serve, Walls and Golden PointOfficial FIP padel rules in plain English: scoring, golden point and star point, tie-breaks, the underarm serve, walls and fence, and changing ends.
• Padel vs Pickleball: Differences in Court, Rules and EquipmentPadel vs pickleball using FIP rules and the USA Pickleball rulebook: court size, walls, net height, serve, scoring, paddle and ball specifications.
• What Is Padel Tennis? The Sport Explained for Tennis PlayersPadel explained: an enclosed doubles court, underarm serve, walls in play and solid rackets. How it compares with tennis, and who runs it in the UK.