In a live rally, the pair that hit the ball wins the point if it strikes an opponent’s body, clothing or equipment other than the racket. A touch on the opponent’s racket is different: it counts as a contact by that pair, so play continues if the ball is still live.
This guide is for club players and coaches settling a disputed body-shot call. The distinction comes from the International Padel Federation’s 2026 rules, especially Rules 13 and 14. It is a scoring explanation, not a reason to aim at people: play safely and respect your opponents.
Who wins? Use this contact guide
| What the live ball touches | Ruling | Rule basis |
|---|---|---|
| An opponent’s body, clothing, or equipment other than their racket | The pair that hit the ball wins the point. | FIP Rule 13(k) and Rule 14(a) |
| An opponent’s racket | Not an automatic point. It is a correct contact by that pair; keep playing if the ball remains live. | FIP Rule 14(a) |
| You, your partner, or something either of you is wearing after your pair has hit the ball | Your pair loses the point. | FIP Rule 13(j) |
| The receiver or their racket from a serve before it has bounced in the receiving box | The server wins the point. The receiver must let the serve bounce first. | FIP Rules 8.1 and 8.5 |
The fast version is: opponent’s body = point to the striker; opponent’s racket = play on; your own side after your shot = point to the other pair. The serve has its own timing rule, so check whether it bounced before deciding.
Why is a hit on the racket different from a hit on the hand?
The rules distinguish the racket from the player. If the ball strikes the racket itself, Rule 14(a) treats that as a correct return. A ball that catches the hand or arm holding the racket has touched the player, not the racket; Rule 13(k) applies when the incoming shot hits a player or their non-racket equipment.
That distinction does not mean the racket contact guarantees the player can return the ball. If it drops for a second floor bounce before they play it, the point ends under the usual double-bounce rule. For a separate question about a serve’s bounce, fence or let, see our padel serve rules explainer.
What if the ball hits your partner or rebounds onto you?
If your pair has struck the ball and it then hits you, your partner or something either of you is wearing before the opponents play it, your pair loses the point. It does not matter that the contact was accidental. This is different from your shot hitting an opponent, where the opponent’s pair loses.
When both partners move toward the same ball, a clear call can prevent a collision. Our middle-ball guide explains how to agree who covers the centre and when a partner should yield.
Does a serve that hits the receiver count as a body shot?
It has a specific rule. The receiver must allow the serve to bounce in the correct service box before returning it. If the serve hits the receiver or their racket before that bounce, FIP Rule 8.5 awards the point to the server. For the rest of the return and transition, see how to return a padel serve and reach the net.
Once the serve has bounced correctly, the point is live. If the ball then hits a receiver’s body rather than their racket, the live-ball body-contact rule applies. Do not call a let just because the contact was unexpected; use the event that actually happened and the applicable rule.
A quick way to settle a close call
Ask these questions in order:
- Was the ball still live? If it had already bounced twice or another end condition had occurred, the point was already over.
- Was it a serve that had not bounced in the service box? If it hit the receiver or their racket first, the server wins.
- Did a rally ball hit the opposing player’s body, clothing or non-racket equipment? The pair that hit it wins.
- Did it touch only the opponent’s racket? That is not an automatic winner; continue the rally if possible.
- Did your own shot touch you, your partner or your clothing? Your pair loses.
If players cannot agree what the ball touched, do not present a guess as certain. In a friendly match, agree how to handle the point and continue; in a competition, follow the event’s umpire or dispute process. If video is available, our guide to reviewing a match clip with your partner shows how to separate visible contact from interpretation.
How can Padel Coach App help after a disputed point?
If you record your match, use Padel Coach App to review the players’ positions and the decision around the point, then note what you want to practise. Video feedback can help you study movement; it does not replace the official rules or an umpire’s ruling. You can download the app if you want to use a clip as part of your training review.
Sources
- FIP Rules of Padel, review of application 1 January 2026, Rules 8.1, 8.5, 13(j–k) and 14(a).
- LTA Padel: official padel rules, beginner-facing explanation of player contact during a rally.
Learn how our guides are researched, prepared and checked in our editorial policy.