Padel rules about the fence explained
All padel rules about the fence explained
The fence, the glass and the mesh are what make padel unique. In no other racket sport can the ball be played back off the walls. But precisely because the fence is an active part of the game, disputes regularly arise on the court. This article covers the situations you actually encounter in practice, not just the theory.
The basic rule: the ball must bounce first
The fundamental rule is that the ball must always bounce on the ground first before it hits the glass or the mesh. If a player hits the ball directly into the glass or mesh without the ball first hitting the ground on the other side of the net, the point is lost for the striking side.
After the bounce the ball may hit the glass, the mesh or a combination, and the opponent may still return the ball. That is the heart of padel: the walls keep the rally alive.
Glass versus mesh: does it matter?
Yes. Most padel courts have glass walls at the back and on the sides up to a certain height. Above that is mesh or fencing. The rule is the same for both: the ball must bounce first before it hits the glass or mesh. But the playing behaviour differs. A ball that hits the glass bounces back predictably. A ball that hits the mesh loses a lot of speed and drops quickly. That makes balls that hit high on the mesh tactically harder to return.
What if the ball goes over the fence?
If the ball goes over the fence or over the top edge of the glass, the point is over. The ball is out. This applies both during a rally and on a serve. It does not matter whether the ball bounced on the ground first. Once the ball disappears over the top of the enclosure, the point is lost for the player who hit the ball.
Can you leave the court to play a ball?
Yes, in certain situations. If the ball bounces on your side and then comes back off the glass or over the side wall high enough to leave the court, you may exit the court through the side opening or gate to play the ball outside the court. This is one of the most spectacular aspects of padel and it is fully permitted, as long as you hit the ball back to the other side of the net.
Note: this only applies if the ball has first bounced on your side of the court. You may not leave the court to intercept a ball that has not yet bounced.
The serve and the fence
Stricter rules apply to the serve. The ball must bounce in the correct service box. After the bounce the ball may hit the back glass. But if the ball hits the side mesh or fencing after the bounce, it is a fault. If the ball bounces in the service box, hits the back glass and then touches the side mesh, that is also a fault. The logic: the serve must stay playable within the service box and via the back glass, not bounce off via the side fence.
The ball hits the top edge of the glass
If the ball hits the top edge of the glass and falls back onto the court, the ball is in play. The top edge of the glass is part of the glass, not part of the fence above it. If the ball hits the metal frame above the glass, it depends on the court construction: in most cases the metal frame counts as part of the fence and the ball is out. When in doubt, the official rule is that the ball is out if it hits the construction above the glass.
Frequently asked questions
Can I return the ball via the fence?
No. You may not intentionally play the ball back via the fence or mesh. The ball must be played over the net. If you hit the ball and it first hits the fence on your side, the point is lost.
What if the ball bounces twice and then hits the glass?
After two bounces the point is already over. The ball must be played after a maximum of one bounce. Whether the ball then hits the glass is irrelevant.
Can the ball hit the ceiling in indoor padel?
No. If the ball hits the ceiling, the point is lost for the player who hit the ball. In indoor padel with a low ceiling, this is a factor to consider with lobs.