Padel Rules Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Breakdown for New Players

So, you’ve decided to give padel a try, but you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the rules and regulations? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Padel may seem complex at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s an incredibly fun and exciting sport to play.

Understanding the Basics

First things first, let’s start with the basics. Padel is played on a court that is about one-third the size of a tennis court, and it is surrounded by glass walls. The game is typically played in doubles, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponents’ court without letting it bounce more than once.

Serving and Scoring

Now, let’s talk about serving and scoring. The serve must be hit underhand and must bounce once in the server’s court and then once in the receiver’s court. If the ball hits the net and still goes over, it is considered a good serve. As for scoring, padel follows the same system as tennis, with the first to reach six games with a two-game lead winning the set.

Understanding the Walls

One of the unique aspects of padel is the presence of walls. You can use the walls to play the ball, allowing for some creative and strategic shots. However, keep in mind that the ball must bounce in your opponents’ court before hitting the wall.

Let and Fault

In padel, there are no second serves. If your first serve is a let (hits the net and goes over), then you get another chance. However, if your second serve is also a let, it counts as a fault. Additionally, a fault is also called if the ball is hit out of bounds, doesn’t hit the front wall on a serve, or is hit twice by the same player before going over the net.

Player Positioning

Finally, let’s talk about player positioning. In padel, the server’s partner must stand in the diagonal box opposite the server, similar to tennis. As the point progresses, players can move around the court freely, but the server’s partner must always start in the correct position.

Conclusion

And there you have it – a simple breakdown of the padel rules for dummies. Once you start playing, you’ll quickly get the hang of it and find that it’s an incredibly enjoyable and addictive sport. So grab a racket and find a partner, and get ready to experience the thrill of padel!