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Your drive hits the top of the net post and drops in. Good?
In a rally, the net and the posts are in play. Clip them and land in, and it is your point.
Your cross-court drive clips the net post itself, not the net, and falls into their court. Is the point yours?
In a rally, the net and the posts are in play. Clip them and land in, and it is your point.
Why
During a rally the net, its cord and the posts are all part of the game: a ball that touches any of them and drops into the opponents' court is good, and play continues. Only on the serve is net contact special, and even then it is only the tape that produces a let. The one thing that does end the point is a ball that passes through the gap between the post and the side wall on the far side of the post, or between the post and the net itself, that is out.
What this means at your level
Beginner
A net cord is luck. Say sorry with your hand up, and be ready for it to come back the other way one day.
Intermediate
On net cords that drop short on your side, move forward before the bounce. The ball dies fast and you have less time than you think.
Advanced
Balls between the post and the side wall on courts where the net does not reach the glass are out. Know how your club's net is mounted before it matters.
Common questions
Your cross-court drive clips the net post itself, not the net, and falls into their court. Is the point yours?
Yes: in a rally the net and its posts are in play. In a rally, the net and the posts are in play. Clip them and land in, and it is your point. During a rally the net, its cord and the posts are all part of the game: a ball that touches any of them and drops into the opponents' court is good, and play continues. Only on the serve is net contact special, and even then it is only the tape that produces a let. The one thing that does end the point is a ball that passes through the gap between the post and the side wall on the far side of the post, or between the post and the net itself, that is out.
Why not let: replay the point?
Lets on net contact are only for the serve. In a rally the ball is live.
What should a beginner do here?
A net cord is luck. Say sorry with your hand up, and be ready for it to come back the other way one day.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Balls between the post and the side wall on courts where the net does not reach the glass are out. Know how your club's net is mounted before it matters.
What do the rules say?
In play, a ball that touches the net, the cord or the posts and then lands in the opponents' court is good.
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.