learn the basics
Padel mixes elements of tennis and squash: players use solid perforated rackets, serve underarm, and can play shots off the glass walls.
It is usually played in pairs (doubles) so you’ll need to find a partner and two opposition players.
It is played on an enclosed court smaller than a tennis court, which is divided into two service boxes either side of the net and is surrounded by glass walls, wire mesh and door openings on either side. The court measures 20 metres long by 10 metres wide.
the rules
Scoring
Padel scoring is the same as in tennis and is made up of points, games and sets. A match is the best of three sets.
To win a game you must score four points with a two-point advantage.
15 – one point, 30 – two points, 40 – three points.
If the game goes to 40-40, this is called deuce. You will still need to win by two clear points. Winning the next point will take you to advantage. Winning a further point will win the game. If you lose the advantage point the score goes back to deuce.
To win a set you must win six games with a two-game advantage. If the games are tied 6-6 then you play a tiebreak. The first team to reach 7 points with a two-point advantage wins the tiebreak (points are counted normally, 1, 2, 3...). The tiebreak continues indefinitely until a team wins by achieving a two-point advantage.
The Serve
Each rally is started by an underarm cross-court diagonal serve.
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The server must stand behind the service line.
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The server must keep at least one foot on the ground when serving.
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The server must bounce the ball in the service box before striking it and the ball must be hit at or below waist height.
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The ball must clear the net and land in the opponent’s service box (diagonally).
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The ball may hit the lines.
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If the ball bounces once in the opponent’s service box and then strikes the side or back wall it is a valid serve, however, if it hits the metal cage it is considered a fault.
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If an otherwise legal serve hits the net first it is called a let and the server retakes their serve with no penalty.
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The server has two chances to make a succesful serve.
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If the server faults on both their first and second serve they lose the point.
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After each point, the ball is served from alternate sides of the servers side of court (right to left and vice versa).
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Players take it in turns to serve for a whole game. Teams alternate serving.
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Before starting each set the players may choose which one of them will serve first during the set. Once the order has been established it may not be changed until the beginning of the following set.
The Rally
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The ball is only allowed to bounce once before you hit it. If the ball bounces twice on your side of the net you lose the point.
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If the ball hits either the walls or cage – or exits through the door openings – without bouncing in the opponent’s side of the court first you lose the point.
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You do not, however, need to let it bounce. You may hit it before it touches the ground (known as a volley). The exception to this rule is when you are returning a serve - when you need to let it bounce once before hitting it.
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After allowing the ball to bounce once you may also let the ball then strike the wall or wire mesh before hitting it back. The ball can hit the wall or mesh as many times as you like before hitting it back - along as it doesn’t bounce on the court for a second time.
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You can also hit the ball against the wall to try and then land it on your opponents’ side of the court. You cannot, however, hit the ball against the wire mesh.
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You can aim your shot to bounce in the opponent’s side of the court and then hit the mesh. This will no doubt create an awkward bounce for your opponent.
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If the ball bounces on court then exits the court either by going over the walls or cage or through the door openings the rally is still ongoing and you are allowed to exit the court and try to return the ball. If you fail to return it your opposition wins the point.
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If the ball strikes you or your teammate while in play you lose the point.