The rules of padel
Padel. It’s tennis mixed with squash and perhaps even a little snooker brain thrown in to understand the angles. And the rules are very specific to the game, so we’ve compiled the key points.
🎾 All play begins with an underarm serve from the right service court into the opponent’s court diagonally opposite (like tennis).
🎾 The server must bounce the ball once behind the service line before hitting it and the ball must be hit at or below waist level.
🎾 The server must keep at least one foot on the ground when hitting the serve
🎾 The server’s feet must not touch or cross the service line when serving
🎾 The serve must land in the opponent’s service box diagonally opposite
🎾 If the ball bounces in the service box and hits the glass (side or back) it is a valid serve and must be played by the opponent receiving serve.
🎾 If the ball hits the net then bounces in the service box and strikes the side or back wall, it is a let and must be replayed.
🎾 If the ball lands in the service box and hits the wire fencing it is a fault.
🎾 If the ball hits the net, lands in the service box and hits the wire fencing it is a fault.
🎾 In padel as in tennis, you get a second serve.
🎾 The return of serve can be made via the glass on the returner’s side.
🎾Court lines are only important during the serve. They are not a factor in determining the outcome of points once the serve goes in.
What’s in
Any ball that bounces on your side of the court is in. It may go on to hit the glass walls or cage. It remains in. The exception to this rule is the serve, which is out if it hits the cage (but not glass).
What’s out
The opposition wins a point if:
- The ball bounces twice in any area on your side of the court. This includes hitting the ground, a wall and the ground again before it is returned
- The ball hits you or your teammate during play
- Once over the net, the ball hits the wire fence or walls before bouncing on the opponent’s side of the court.
Scoring
Scoring is the same as for tennis – so 15, 30, 40 and advantage. Some matches will involve golden points where you reach deuce and the next point wins the game (rather than going to advantage). Golden points are, generally, used to make matches shorter. If playing in a tournament it will be announced at the start that golden points are in play. Otherwise it is up to players to decide if they will be used before the game starts. 🎾
With thanks to iPadel for assisting in compiling this information.
