Body Touch

Definition

Incidental contact between the ball and a player's body (not the racket) during a rally is generally permitted in padel as long as it's clearly accidental and the ball was properly in play. If a player deliberately hits the ball with their hand, arm, or body (avoiding the racket), it's a violation and the point is lost. Accidental bounces off a player's body (e.g., ball grazes the leg during a volley) are allowed if the player still returns the ball with the racket. Intentional body contact (deliberately blocking the ball with the hand or body) is a fault and results in loss of point. The distinction between accidental and intentional is determined by the chair umpire. This permissiveness is unusual compared to tennis and reflects padel's different rule philosophy.

Origin: Unique to padel; tennis rules require immediate loss of point for body contact.