The Rules
Padel is a racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court.
Scoring is the same as normal tennis, and the balls used are similar but with a little less pressure.
Format
Padel is generally played in doubles format.
Scoring
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis. A game is scored exactly the same as tennis ie. 15/0, 30/0, 40/0, deuce, advantage etc. If you are limited for time it’s recommended that you use Golden Point. This is when you are a 40/40 or Deuce and the next point is the winner. The receiving team chooses who will receive, whoever wins the point wins the game.
Six games are needed to win a set and the team which wins two sets wins the match.
If a set reaches 6-6 in games then a tie-break to 7 points is played
Service
In padel, the service is initiated by the server who must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent’s service box. The serve motion is underhand forehand or backhand. You drop or bounce the ball and contact must be made with the ball from the waist down. Higher than the waist will be a fault.
The Play
- Once the ball is in play, all balls which cross the net must then bounce on the ground on the opponent’s side before hitting a glass or wire wall.
- If the ball is returned over the net and then hits your opponents wall before hitting the ground the point is lost.
- Players may hit a volley except when receiving serve when the ball must bounce first.
- Players may hit the ball after it has bounced on a wall to return it to the opponent’s side
- The ball may only bounce once on your side of the net and you can only hit it once.
- Players may also hit the ball onto their own side or back glass walls to return it over the net but if the shot hits the fencing on your side of the net before crossing to the opponent’s side then it is a fault