Can You Reach Over The Net In Padel?

I started playing padel in 2015 and thought that I had a fairly good grasp of what was allowed and what wasn’t. However, when I accidentally stumbled upon a World Padel Tour tournament on television, I started seeing professional players reaching over the net with their rackets to play insane-looking smashes and drop shots. Surely that couldn’t be allowed, so I did some investigation.

Padel players are permitted to reach over the net with their arm and racket as long as no part of their body, clothing, or racket touches the net. Even lightly touching the net with the toe of a shoe or a loose-fitting T-shirt will lose the point instantly.

Let’s examine those instances when it is permissible or even advisable to reach over the net to play the ball in padel.

Can You Reach Over The Net In Padel?

Unlike tennis, you can actually reach over the net with an arm or padel when hitting a ball – as long as you don’t hit the net. You can even play a ball that is on the far side of the net. If a player reaches over the net to play a shot and touches it on the follow-through, he will lose a point.

Reaching over the net is an advanced move that can be difficult to master at first. It takes a lot of footwork and balance to play shots this way, but with practice, you’ll get better at it.

When Should You Reach Over The Net?

In padel, shots should be strategically placed and timed if you want to win. It is best to reach over the net when trying to get a shot off quickly – usually when your opponent is still recovering from your previous hit.

Just remember that no part of your body, your clothing, or your racket can touch the net. When you do this, try to hit it toward the side of the court opposite from the other opponent.

 Can The Ball Hit The Net On Service?

The ball can’t hit the net on a serve in padel tennis. If the ball hits the net or a supporting post but lands in your opponent’s service box, a “net” will be called; however, the ball can’t hit the wall before it bounces twice.

If the ball doesn’t hit the wall before a second bounce, you can redo the serve. If it does hit the wall, it is considered a fault, and you will only receive one more chance to serve.

How Can You Get To The Net Faster?

When you need to get to the net quickly, an offensive lob, as explained in my article here, is vital. To execute this shot effectively, give it a slice spin. This shot will give the ball speed and height, allowing you time to get to the net.

The spin will cause the ball to bounce lower. By the time your opponent can return the shot, you’ll be at the net. Chances are, he’ll have to lob the ball back to you, allowing you to smash it before he has fully recovered.

A standard lob is more manageable for beginners – the offensive lob is quite an advanced move and takes time and practice to master.

Can You Play A Ball That Goes Over The Wall?

If a player smashes the ball hard enough, it can go over the wall. The ball is still in play if it hasn’t bounced a second time. It’s not as commonplace at the amateur level as it is at the pro level of padel.

During a padel match, the doors going into the court are left open. If the ball goes over the wall and it’s still alive, the player has to sprint out the door and hit it back over the wall and onto the opposing side of the court. If it touches any object before the player hits it back across, it doesn’t count.