No. If you hit the ball with a racket you have thrown at it, you lose the point. The rules also say that if a player drops their racket or breaks their safety cord during a point, their pair loses that point. The racket has to stay in your hand, with the cord around your wrist.
What the rules say
The FIP Rules of Padel list the ways a point is lost. Three of them are about your racket:
- Throwing the racket. A point is lost if the ball is hit with a racket thrown at it.
- Dropping the racket. If a player drops their racket or breaks their safety cord, their pair immediately loses the point.
- Racket abuse. Players may not throw their racket or deliberately hit the court, the net or the walls with it.
So even a desperate dive that sends the racket flying towards the ball will cost you the point, whether or not you reach it.
Why the wrist cord is compulsory
Every padel racket has a short cord fixed into the handle. The rules say it must be non-elastic, no longer than 35 centimetres, and worn around the wrist as protection against accidents. Its use is obligatory.
The reason is safety. Padel is played in an enclosed court with four people close together, often at the net. A racket that slips out of a sweaty hand at full swing could easily hit a partner or an opponent. The cord keeps it attached to you.
What if the racket slips out of your hand?
Under the official rules, dropping your racket during a point loses that point, even if it was an accident. In friendly games many players are relaxed about this, but it is worth knowing the rule, and it is another reason to wear the cord properly.
How to keep a secure grip
- Wear the cord on your wrist, not looped over your fingers or tucked away.
- Replace a worn grip. A fresh overgrip makes a big difference, especially in warm or humid conditions.
- Use a wristband so sweat does not run down into your hand.
- Check the cord regularly. If it is frayed or the fixing is loose, replace it before it breaks during a point.
Is throwing the racket ever allowed?
No. There is no situation in the rules where hitting the ball with a thrown racket counts. You can, however, swap your racket between hands during a rally if you keep hold of it, and you can stretch, dive and use the walls as much as you like.
A ball that comes off the frame while you are holding the racket is a different matter. See can you hit the ball with the frame of your racket.
The bottom line
Keep the racket in your hand and the cord on your wrist. Throwing it at the ball, or dropping it during a rally, costs your pair the point.
Related questions
Do you have to wear the strap on a padel racket?
Yes. The rules say the safety cord must be worn around the wrist, and its use is obligatory.
What happens if you drop your racket in padel?
Under the official rules, if a player drops their racket or breaks their safety cord during a point, their pair loses the point.
Can you switch hands in padel?
Yes. Nothing in the rules stops you moving the racket from one hand to the other, as long as you keep hold of it.