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A ball from the next court rolls in mid-point. What now?
Outside interference is a let. Stop, replay the whole point, first serve again.
You are in the middle of a rally when a ball from the neighbouring court comes through the opening onto yours. What happens?
Outside interference is a let. Stop, replay the whole point, first serve again.
Why
When something from outside the point interferes: a ball from another court, a person walking behind the glass onto the court, an object. The point is stopped and replayed from the first serve. Either pair can call it, and the call should be made straight away, not after seeing how the rally ends. A distraction you caused yourselves, a second ball dropping out of your pocket, is also a let if nobody meant it, but do not expect the other pair to grant it twice.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Call "ball!" the moment you see one come on. Calling it after you have lost the point is not a let, it is an excuse.
Intermediate
Empty your pockets before the point. A second ball falling out of your shorts during a rally is a let the first time and an argument the second, and it is embarrassing every time.
Advanced
In tournament play the referee calls hindrance. In a friendly, the convention is generous: if anybody was genuinely put off, replay it.
Common questions
You are in the middle of a rally when a ball from the neighbouring court comes through the opening onto yours. What happens?
The point is replayed as a let. Outside interference is a let. Stop, replay the whole point, first serve again. When something from outside the point interferes: a ball from another court, a person walking behind the glass onto the court, an object. The point is stopped and replayed from the first serve. Either pair can call it, and the call should be made straight away, not after seeing how the rally ends. A distraction you caused yourselves, a second ball dropping out of your pocket, is also a let if nobody meant it, but do not expect the other pair to grant it twice.
Why not the pair that was winning the rally takes the point?
Nobody was winning. There is no way to award a point that was not finished.
What should a beginner do here?
Call "ball!" the moment you see one come on. Calling it after you have lost the point is not a let, it is an excuse.
How does this change for an advanced player?
In tournament play the referee calls hindrance. In a friendly, the convention is generous: if anybody was genuinely put off, replay it.
What do the rules say?
If the point is interrupted by something outside the players' control, such as a ball from another court, a let is called and the point is replayed.
Puzzles like this one
Can you volley the return of serve?
The return of serve must bounce. It is the one ball in padel you are not allowed to volley.
beginnerThe ball bounced then hit your own back glass. Still in play?
One bounce on the floor, then any number of walls. Only a second floor bounce ends the point.
advancedThe smash sent the ball out through the side opening. Chase it?
If the court has an opening, you may leave through it and play the ball back, before it bounces a second time.