The ball crosses the net, bounces on the opponent’s court and then hits the glass. The wall does not end the rally: after a valid serve, contact order matters, and the ball must be returned before its second bounce on the floor.
The rule is about the order of contacts
Rule 12 of the International Padel Federation (FIP) says that after the ball bounces on the opponent’s court, it remains in play if it touches another part of the court. Rule 14 treats the return as correct when the ball bounces on the opponent’s court and then hits a wall or the metal fence.
| Sequence during a rally | FIP rule outcome |
|---|---|
| Opponent’s floor, then glass or metal fence | The ball remains in play; return it before its second floor bounce. |
| Opponent’s wall or fence before the ball bounces on the floor | The return is not correct and the point is lost. |
| A second floor bounce before the return | The point is lost. |
Do not mix this up with the serve
This guide covers a rally after a valid serve. The serve has separate rules. To judge the rally, first track the bounce on the opponent’s floor; only then count contact with glass or the metal fence.
After a floor bounce the wall can send the ball back into the court. It does not replace that floor bounce or allow a third one.
Rules of Padel — International Padel Federation (effective 1 January 2026)