Padel’s popularity is booming in Indonesia, from Jakarta to Bali, with new courts popping up in elite clubs. But before you get into the court, you must understand the basic rules of padel so you don't get confused or keep making faults. This article will be your complete beginner’s guide for padel: from unique underhand serves and tennis-style scoring to the walls that set it apart. Ready to play padel like a pro?
For a basic introduction, read the main article: What is Padel?
Padel is officially regulated by the International Padel Federation (FIP), similar to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) that regulates tennis. It is played in doubles (2 vs 2), though singles are available for practice. Padel adopts tennis’s rules but adjusted for an enclosed space—the ball can bounce off the walls, creating long, tactical rallies.
Padel’s main difference from other racket sports is that squash utilizes full walls but a small racket, while tennis has an open court with no walls at all. In Indonesia, standard rules are enforced in local tournaments, such as the Padel Indonesia Series. Make sure your club complies with the FIP rules for fair play.
The most basic padel rule is that there are always 2 players per team (doubles), with a total of 4 people on the court. The front player focuses on volleys and wall smashes, while the back player covers the baseline and lobs. The right and left teams have their own areas, divided by the center net.
Singles format (1 vs. 1) is rarely official and is usually meant for beginners or practice—the court remains 20 meters by 10 meters, but this format is less popular because padel is designed for teams. Matches are best-of-3 sets, with each set going up to 6 games. The winner is determined by a 2-game lead with a tie-break at 6-6. This makes padel social and fun, perfect for hanging out with friends on the courts of South Jakarta.
Padel’s court is a key rule in this sport. The size is measured carefully to ensure fair play.
According to the FIP’s standard, a padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide (total 200 m²), much smaller than a tennis court. The net’s height is 88 centimeters in the center and 92 centimeters at the sides, tensioned to 30-35 kg. The court is divided into two symmetrical sides: service zone (3 m by 5 m per side), no-volley zone (a 3-meter square from the net), and backcourt. The flooring uses synthetic turf or glass-court, ideal for Indonesia's tropical climate.
The court is surrounded by 4-meter walls: two sides are made of tempered glass (10 m long), and two sides are perforated iron mesh. The walls are an active part of the game—a ball that bounces once off your wall or your opponent's wall remains in play, as long as it follows the bounce sequence. This creates an exciting “rebound” strategy, unlike squash, where the walls always bounce.
Serves can often cause beginners to panic.
Underarm serve: Stand in the back service box. Your feet must not touch the line. Hold the ball below the waist (racket is positioned below the wrist when hitting and aim diagonally towards the opponent's service box. The ball must bounce in the opponent's box before being returned. Team players take turn to serve (right side first, then left).
In padel, there is no second serve—a serve fault means an immediate loss of point. Practice at home: imagine an underarm serve like a soft, accurate throw to the corner of the box.
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the opponent's side of the court before being hit (except for a volley after the opponent's serve). Sequence: bounce on the floor → (optional bounce off your wall) → hit back.
This creates a long rally with 10-20 hits with a focus on control, not power.
Padel’s scoring system is the same as tennis: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game. You earn a point when the opponent makes a fault or the ball is out of bounds.
Example: 30-15 means your team has scored 2 points while your opponent has scored 1. The score is announced by the team that receives the serve. The scoring system is exactly like tennis, but the doubles format leads to faster point accumulation.
Avoid these faults so you don’t lose points!
A referee calls out faults, but it is common to play casually without a referee. In the case of a serious fault, i.e., violence, the player will be disqualified.
Looking for padel gear that meets FIP standards? Support brands like DRX Wear or Bullpadel.
The racket is a solid composite (fiberglass/carbon), hollow, and shaped like a circle, teardrop, or diamond. A padel racket goes up to 45.5 centimeters in length, 30 cm in width, and 350-380 grams in weight. Strings, illegal modifications, and thick overgrips are prohibited. Choose a beginner racket such as Head Flash for control.
The ball is depressurized, with a diameter of 6.3-6.5 centimeters. With a weight of 56-59.5 grams, it gives a low bounce. Choose Head Pro or Dunlop brands.
When playing padel, wear lightweight athletic clothing (no jeans). Non-marking sole shoes are recommended to prevent slipping on the turf. Indoor helmets are optional.
Basic padel rules are simple: 2 vs 2 doubles on a 20 m by 10 m court, diagonal underhand serve, tennis scoring, active walls, and faults on incorrect bounce. Master these, and you're ready for long rallies without frustration.
Understand the rules to play padel safely and have fun. This isn't mini tennis, but a modern team sport. Ready to book a court?
