Game Objective
Padel is a simple game.
Your team must hit the ball over the net into your opponent’s side in such a way that they cannot return it. To prevent you from returning the ball to your side of the court, the opposing team has the same goal as you do.
In padel, since the court is enclosed and smaller than in other racket sports, it is essential to know how the ball can bounce from the wall to gain an advantage. Thus, it is a racket sport that requires quick reaction times, the ability to read the game, and a good sense of placement on the court.
What do you need to Play?
There are Padel courts for doubles (20m x 10m) and for singles (20m x 6m). Around 90% of all the Padel courts worldwide are for doubles since single Padel is rare. The court is surrounded by walls in the back made of glass, with mesh on the sides.
Padel Rackets are also known as Bats. This stringless racket is generally made of glass or carbon fiber, weighs between 300g and 400g, and is 38mm thick.
Three Padel balls. Similar to tennis balls but have lower pressure. Since the ground is used during rallies, balls are never left on it since it could interfere.
Four players. Padel is a social sport that is commonly played in its doubles format, 2 versus 2
Scoring
Points: 15-30-40-Game
Game: Four points make up a game. When both players are tied on 40, the player with the two points advantage is the winner.
Set: A player wins a set after winning six games with a minimum 2 point lead.
Match: To win a match, a player or team must win two out of three sets.
Deuce: Once tied 40-40, the match must be won by a player/team winning two consecutive points. *Golden Point: New rule (see FAQ)
Tie-break: If the score is 6-6, whoever wins the tie-break is the winner. The tie-break game lasts until one side has 7 points or more and is at least two points ahead of the other.
Intervals & Changes
In the first and third games, players change ends.
When a tie-break takes place, the player’s switch ends every 6 points.
When players change ends, they are allowed a 90-second break.
When players change ends in a tie-break, they have 20 seconds to rest.
In between points, there can be no more than 20s.
After each set, players are allowed a two-minute break
Serving
The first point of the match is always played from the right side of the court. The server switches sides after every point until the game is over.
Players serve for the entire game, while receivers change after every point.
The player must serve underhand and below the waist. There are two chances for a successful serve.
Servers must stand behind the service line, while receivers can stand wherever they like.
A service must land diagonally over the net to land in the other player’s service box.
Receivers cannot return the serve until the ball bounces.
Balls that bounce in the service box and strike the wire mesh fence before crossing the service line are faulty.
A point will be let (played again) if the ball lands in the opponent’s service court after hitting the net.
