If you’ve recently discovered padel or are just curious about the rules of padel, you’re in the right place (pun intended)! This fun, fast-paced sport is taking the world by storm, blending both tennis and squash. Whether you’re new to the sport or just want to brush up on the basics, we’ve got you covered with all the essential padel rules.
So, grab your pen and paper and let’s dive in!
What is Padel?
Padel is a doubles game played on a court about one-third the size of a tennis court. It’s unique because the court is enclosed by glass or mesh walls, and you can use these walls during gameplay to bounce the ball – pretty cool, right? The serve is underhand, and the scoring system is similar to tennis, making it super accessible for beginners.
Ready to hit the court? Let’s go over the padel rules you need to know.
1. Padel Scoring – It’s Just Like Tennis!
If you’ve ever played tennis, the scoring in padel will feel very familiar:
- Points go from 15, 30, 40, then game point.
- A set is won by the first team to reach six games, but you need to win by two games.
- If both teams reach 6-6 in games, a tiebreaker is played. First to seven points (with a two-point lead) wins the tiebreaker and the set.
Simple, right? Now let’s move on to serving.
2. Serving in Padel – Keep it Underhand
One of the biggest differences in padel is that serves must be underhand. Here are the main rules of padel for serving:
- Stand behind the service line and bounce the ball before you hit it.
- Serve diagonally, aiming for the opponent’s service box.
- The ball must clear the net without touching it, and can hit the side walls after bouncing in the service box—but not the back wall.
Oh, and you get two serves, just like in tennis.
3. Playing with the Walls – The Fun Part of Padel
The walls are what make padel so unique. Here’s how it works:
- After the ball bounces once in the court, it can hit any wall on your side and still be in play.
- You can even return the ball by hitting it off your side of the wall.
- But be careful! If the ball hits your opponent’s back wall before bouncing in their court, it’s out.
Using the walls adds an extra layer of strategy, making rallies longer and more exciting!
4. Basic Padel Gameplay Rules
At its core, padel is straightforward, but there are a few key rules of padel to keep in mind:
- You play as a team of two, facing off across the net.
- The ball must bounce once before it hits any walls on your side.
- After bouncing, the ball can hit the sidewalls, but it can’t go straight to the opponent’s back wall.
As long as you follow these basics, you’re good to go!
5. Faults – What Not to Do
Here are some situations where you’ll lose the point:
- Your serve doesn’t land in the right box.
- The ball hits the net or walls before landing in the opponent’s court.
- The ball bounces twice before being returned.
If you fault twice on a serve, the other team gets the point.
6. Padel Etiquette – Keep it Friendly
Like any sport, there’s an unspoken etiquette to padel. Here are a few friendly tips:
- Wait for the point to finish before grabbing a stray ball from another court.
- Communicate with your partner to avoid confusion (“yours” or “mine” helps a lot!).
- Play fair and respect the referee’s calls.
Remember, padel is all about fun, so keep the vibe positive on the court.
Wrapping it Up
Mastering the rules of padel is key to enjoying the game and improving your skills. Whether it’s perfecting your serve or learning how to use the walls to your advantage, knowing the ins and outs will make your matches even more fun.
So now that you’ve got a handle on the padel rules, it’s time to hit the court! Enjoy the game, stay active, and have fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the ball hit the walls before it bounces in padel?
Nope, the ball must bounce in the opponent’s court before hitting any wall on their side.
2. How many serves are allowed in padel?
Players are allowed two serves, (same rules as tennis).
3. What happens if the ball hits the opponent’s back wall directly?
If the ball hits the opponent’s back wall without bouncing in their court first, it’s considered out of play (slow down your shots and build it up!)
Now, get on a court and learn by doing!
