How to Keep Score in Padel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Greetings, fellow padel enthusiasts! If you’re new to this exciting sport or simply need a refresher on how to keep score, you’ve come to the right place. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about scoring in padel. So, grab your padel racket and let’s dive right in!

The Basics of Padel Scoring

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of scoring, let’s quickly recap the basic rules of padel. Padel is typically played in doubles, with four players on the court. The objective is to hit the ball over the net onto your opponent’s side, aiming to land it within the bounds of the court without it bouncing more than once.

Now, let’s move on to the scoring system. Padel uses a straightforward points-based system, similar to tennis. The scoring terminology can be a bit confusing at first, but fear not! I’ll break it down for you, making it a breeze to understand and keep track of the score.

The Scoring Lingo: Love, 15, 30, 40, Game!

Padel has its own unique way of naming the points, which adds an element of charm to the game. Here’s how it goes:

• Love: The starting point, representing zero. So, if no one has scored yet, the score is “Love-Love.”
• 15: The first point earned by a team. When a team scores their first point, it’s called “15.”
• 30: The second point gained by a team. It’s called “30” because well… it’s 30!
• 40: The third point earned by a team. This one’s interesting because once a team reaches 40, they’re just one point away from winning the game. So, if both teams have won two points each, the score is “40-40.”
• Game: To win a game, a team must be ahead by two points and have already reached 40. So, if a team wins the next point after “40-40,” they win the game!

Deuce and Advantage

Now, things can get a bit more exciting when both teams are tied at 40. This situation is called “deuce.” To break the tie, one team must win two consecutive points. The first point won after “40-40” is called “advantage.” If the team with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game. However, if they lose the next point, the score goes back to “deuce,” and the battle for two consecutive points continues.

Switching Ends and Scoring Games

It’s also worth noting that in padel, the teams switch ends of the court every six games. This ensures fairness, as variations in wind and lighting conditions can affect the game. So, after every six games, the teams swap sides to even out any advantages or disadvantages.

Additionally, to win a set in padel, you must win at least six games and be ahead by two games. If both teams have won five games each, the score becomes “5-5,” and the team that wins the next two games in a row wins the set. If the score reaches “6-6,” a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the set.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! A comprehensive guide to understanding and scoring in padel. Remember, padel scoring might seem a tad confusing at first, but with a bit of practice, it will become second nature to you. So, go out there, enjoy your matches, and proudly show off your newly acquired scorekeeping skills!

Now that you have the knowledge, it’s time to put it into action. Get together with your friends, hit the padel court, and start scoring like a pro. Have fun, stay competitive, and most importantly, have a blast playing this incredible sport!