The Official Padel Rules: What You Need to Know Before You Start Playing

Padel is one of the most popular racket sports in the world. It is a great game for players of all ages and skill levels. If you’re new to the sport, knowing the official padel rules is essential. This article will explain everything you need to know before you hit the courts.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport that is similar to tennis and squash. The game is played on an enclosed court that is about a third the size of a tennis court. It is played in doubles, although singles play is also common. The equipment used in padel includes a racket, a padel ball, and a court.

The Objective of Padel

The objective of padel is to hit the padel ball over the net and into the opponent’s court without the ball bouncing more than once. The game is won by either scoring points or getting your opponent to make a mistake.

The Scoring System

The scoring system in padel is similar to tennis. The game is played to the best of three or five sets, with each set being won by the first team to reach six games. If the sets are tied at six games each, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner.

The Serve

The serve in padel is underhanded, and it must be hit diagonally across the net into the opponent’s court. The server must stand behind the service line, and they get two attempts to make a legal serve.

The Return of Serve

The return of serve must also be hit diagonally across the net and must bounce in the opponent’s court before they can hit it back. If the ball hits the net and still lands in the opponent’s court, the point continues.

The Walls

One of the unique aspects of padel is that the court is enclosed by walls. A shot can be played off any of the walls, as long as it lands in the opponent’s court before hitting the ground for the second time. Players are allowed to use the walls to their advantage, but they must be careful not to hit the ball out of play.

The Let Rule

If a serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box, the point continues. However, if the serve hits the net and does not make it into the correct service box, a let is called, and the server gets another chance to serve.

The Fault Rule

A fault is called if the server misses the ball, hits the ball into the net, or hits the ball out of play. If a fault is called, the server loses that point, and the other team gets to serve.

The In and Out Rule

If a ball lands on the line, it is considered to be in play. If the ball lands outside the line, it is considered out of play. Players can challenge the decision of the umpire by asking for a video review.

Conclusion

In conclusion, padel is a fun and exciting sport. Knowing the official padel rules is essential before you start playing. Remember to focus on your shots, stay inside the lines, and avoid making mistakes. With a bit of practice, you’ll soon be playing like a pro. So go out there and have fun on the padel court! Padel rules explained and easy to digest – now it’s your turn to play!