What Happens if the Ball Hits the Net Post in Padel?

Quick answer

In a rally, if the ball touches the net post and then lands in your opponents' court, it is a good shot and play continues. If it touches the post and then goes directly into your opponents' glass or fence without bouncing, you lose the point. On the serve, a ball that clips the post and lands in the correct box is a let and is replayed.

During a rally

The FIP Rules of Padel treat the net posts much like the net itself:

Good shot: the ball touches the net or a net post and then lands in your opponents' court. This counts as a correct return.
Point lost: the ball touches the net or a post and then goes directly into your opponents' walls, fence or anything outside their court, without bouncing on their floor first.

So the post itself is not the problem. What matters is where the ball goes next. It still has to land on your opponents' floor before it touches their walls, exactly as with any other shot. Our guide to hitting the glass first explains that rule.

On the serve

If your serve touches the net or a net post and then lands in the receiver's service box, it is a "net" serve and is replayed, as long as it does not then hit the metal fence before its second bounce. If it clips the post and lands outside the box, it is a fault. See is there a second serve in padel for how lets and faults work.

If a player touches the post

Players must stay clear of the net and posts while the ball is in play. If you, your racket or anything you are wearing touches the net, a net post or the tension cable during a point, you lose the point. This catches people out at the side of the court, where the post is easy to brush when you reach for a wide ball.

Where are the posts?

The rules place the net posts at the side limits of the court, so the outer edge of each post lines up with the edge of the playing area. Many courts have posts that sit right against the side walls or fence, which is why balls hit along the side of the court sometimes clip them.

Quick reference

Post, then opponents' floor: play on.
Post, then straight into opponents' walls or fence: you lose the point.
Serve clips the post and lands in the box: let, serve again.
You touch the post during the point: you lose the point.

The bottom line

A ball that hits the net post is not automatically good or bad. If it then lands on your opponents' floor, play on. If it flies straight into their walls, the point is lost. And keep your racket and body away from the post while the ball is in play.

What happens if the ball hits the net post in padel?