Can you hit the ball with the frame of your racket in padel?
By James Carter · 12 November 2026 · 2 min read
Yes. If the ball comes off the frame or edge of your racket and goes back over the net correctly, it counts as a normal shot. The rules do not limit which part of the racket you can hit with. What matters is that you are holding the racket, you only hit the ball once, and the ball does not touch your hand or body.
What the rules say
The FIP Rules of Padel describe the racket as a head and a handle, and they do not say the ball must be struck with the hitting face. So a mishit that comes off the frame is treated like any other shot. If it clears the net and lands in your opponents' court, play continues.
What is not allowed
- Hitting it with a thrown racket. If the racket leaves your hand and hits the ball, you lose the point. See can you throw your racket in padel.
- Hitting the ball twice. A frame shot that then bounces onto the face, or a double contact, can count as a double hit. Read can you double hit in padel.
- Using your hand. The rules say a point is lost if the ball hits a player or their equipment apart from the racket. If the ball touches the hand holding the racket, rather than the racket itself, you lose the point.
- Your partner touching it. Only one of you can play each ball. See can you pass the ball to your partner.
Is a frame shot good etiquette?
Yes. A frame shot that wins a point is part of the game, the same as a net cord. It is common to raise a hand as a quiet apology, but there is no need to replay the point.
Why frame shots happen
- Watching your opponent instead of the ball at the moment of contact.
- Late preparation on fast balls at the net.
- Gripping too tightly, which makes it harder to adjust the racket face. See how tightly to grip a padel racket.
- A racket with a small sweet spot, which is less forgiving. Round rackets are usually the most forgiving for beginners.
Does it damage the racket?
An occasional frame shot will not harm a racket. Repeatedly scraping the frame on the floor or glass is more of a risk. A frame protector reduces chips, and our guide on how many rackets to own covers looking after them.
The bottom line
A ball off the frame counts, as long as you are holding the racket, you hit it once and it does not touch your hand. Raise a hand if you like, and play on.
Related questions
Is a frame shot a let in padel?
No. If the ball goes over the net and lands correctly, the point continues as normal.
What if the ball hits my hand on the racket?
Under the rules, the ball touching a player rather than the racket loses the point, so a ball off your hand is not a legal shot.
Can you hit the ball with the handle?
The rules describe the handle as part of the racket and do not exclude it, but a ball off the handle is very likely to touch your hand too.