If a rally shot clips the net and still lands in the opponents’ court, the point continues. A serve is different: if it touches the net or supporting post and then lands in the correct service box without touching the metal fence before its second bounce, it is a net serve and is replayed. Do not confuse either case with a player or racket touching the net, which loses the point during live play.
This guide is for recreational players and coaches making a close call. The easiest way to decide is to identify what touched the net, whether it was a serve, and where the ball landed next.
Which net-contact situation happened?
| Contact and next event | Ruling | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A rally ball touches the net or post, then lands in the opponents’ court | Correct return under FIP Rule 14.1(e) | Keep playing. The ball is live and must be returned before its second floor bounce. |
| A rally ball touches the net but falls back or fails to land correctly in the opponents’ court | The striking pair loses the point | The shot did not complete a correct return. |
| A serve touches the net or post, then lands in the correct service box without touching the metal fence before the second bounce | Net serve | Replay that serve under Rule 9; the rest of the service rules still apply. |
| A player, their racket, clothing or something they carry touches the net, post or tension cable while the ball is in play | That player’s pair loses the point | This is a player-contact fault, not a let caused by the ball clipping the net. |
FIP Rule 12 says a returned ball can remain in play after it touches a court part following a correct bounce in the opponents’ court. Rule 14.1(e) makes the net case explicit: the ball may touch the net or posts and then land in the opponents’ court. LTA Padel’s rules overview gives the same practical distinction between a ball reaching the opponents’ court and a ball that fails to clear the net.
Why is a serve different from a rally shot?
The service rules create a specific replay situation. Under FIP Rule 9, a serve is “net” when it touches the net or supporting post and then lands in the receiver’s service box, provided it does not touch the metal fence before its second bounce. The point is not won by either pair; the server repeats the serve.
If the serve clips the net but lands outside the correct service box, or touches the fence in the prohibited sequence, it is a fault rather than a net serve. The separate padel serve-rules guide covers service-box, fence and second-serve details.
Does touching the net always lose the point?
No. The ball touching the net can be part of a valid return. A player touching the net assembly is different: Rule 13.1(a) says a player, their racket or anything they wear or carry loses the point if it touches the net, posts, tension cable or the opponents’ court while the ball is live.
So an accidental brush by a racket after a volley is still a fault, even if the ball lands in. For the separate question of reaching across the net to play a ball, see when reaching over the net is legal in padel. That guide covers player position and contact; this one focuses on the ball’s contact with the net.
A three-question call for a close rally
- Was it a serve? If yes, apply the net-serve conditions and replay only when they are met.
- Did the ball itself touch the net? If it was a rally shot, check whether it then landed in the opponents’ court; if so, continue the point.
- Did a player or their equipment touch the net assembly? If the point was live, that is a point-losing fault, even if the ball also landed correctly.
If the contact is hard to see, do not treat the sound of a net cord as proof of which event happened. In organised play, ask the umpire; in a friendly game, agree how to handle the point and continue fairly.
If you record a match, Padel Coach App’s video-review workflow can help you replay the sequence and turn a recurring net-contact problem into a practice focus. Video can help discuss what is visible, but it does not replace the official rules or an umpire’s call. You can learn about Padel Coach App if you want to organise match clips alongside training notes.
Official sources
- International Padel Federation: Rules of Padel, review of application 1 January 2026 — Rules 9, 12.2–12.4, 13.1(a) and 14.1(e).
- LTA Padel: official padel rules — UK player-facing overview of returns, service lets, net and player-contact faults.
Learn how our guides are researched, prepared and checked in our editorial policy.