Every sport has its unwritten rules. Padel is no different. Knowing court etiquette helps you fit in at any club and makes the game better for everyone.
Timing
Arrive 5 minutes before your booking. You need time to change shoes, warm up briefly, and be ready to play when your slot starts. Walking onto court 10 minutes late wastes everyone's time.
Leave the court promptly when your booking ends. The next group is waiting. It's tempting to play "one more point" but respect the schedule.
On Court
Call balls in or out honestly. In social play, give your opponents the benefit of the doubt on close calls. Nobody respects the player who calls everything out on a tight line.
If a ball from an adjacent court rolls onto yours, stop play immediately. Return it gently to the other court (don't smash it back). They'll do the same for you.
Keep the noise proportional. Celebrating a good point is fine. Screaming after every single shot is not. Similarly, swearing at your own mistakes gets old fast for everyone around you.
Partner Etiquette
Padel is doubles. Your partner is on your team. Encourage them after mistakes, don't show frustration. Even if they've just missed their fifth easy volley, keep it positive. You'll miss yours soon enough.
Communicate during points. "Mine" and "yours" prevent collisions and confusion. Between points, quick tactical discussions are fine. Long strategy sessions between every point slow the game down.
If there's a significant skill gap between players, the stronger player should adapt. This isn't the time to prove you're better. Hit to include everyone and keep the rallies going.
Equipment and Court Care
Wear proper padel or tennis shoes with non-marking soles. Running shoes damage the turf and don't give you the grip you need. Most clubs enforce this.
Don't hit the glass panels with your racket in frustration. It's expensive to replace and the sound is horrible. If you need to vent, squeeze the grip or take a breath.
Pick up all your water bottles and rubbish when you leave. Leave the court as you found it.
Social Play and Mixers
At social events, be open to playing with anyone. You'll often get paired with people you don't know and at different levels. That's the whole point. Be welcoming, adjust your intensity, and focus on having fun.
Rotate partners between games as the format dictates. Don't try to engineer always playing with the best player.
The Golden Rule
Be the player everyone wants to play with, not the one people avoid. That means being on time, being positive, playing fair, and remembering that for most people at the club, padel is recreation. Keep it fun.