Body Touch
What is a Body Touch in padel?
Accidental contact between the ball and a player's body during a point.
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.
When to use it
Allows some physical contact; requires clear accidentality for validity.
Common questions
If the ball touches my leg and I still hit it with the racket, is that valid?
Yes, if the contact was accidental. The leg touch doesn't void the return if the racket strikes the ball.
Can I deliberately block the ball with my body instead of hitting it?
No. Intentional body contact (not with the racket) is a fault and loses the point.