Getting Started with Basic Padel Rules: What You Need to Know

Are you new to padel or considering trying this popular sport? It’s essential to understand the basic padel rules before stepping onto the court for the first time.

Padel is similar to tennis but played on a smaller court with walls around the perimeter. Players use paddles instead of tennis rackets to hit the ball, and the game can be played in pairs or singles.

Here are the essential basic padel rules you need to know:

The Serve

The game starts with a serve from behind the baseline. The server must hit the ball underhand and make contact with the ball below waist level. The ball must land in the opposite diagonal service court.

If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service court, it’s called a “let” and is replayed. However, if the serve hits the net and lands outside the service box, it’s a fault.

Singles and Doubles Play

Padel can be played as singles or doubles. In singles, the court dimensions are 10 meters long by 6 meters wide, while in doubles, the court is wider at 10 meters by 10 meters. The height of the walls surrounding the court should be at least three meters.

The Scoring System

The scoring system in padel is similar to tennis, with points being awarded to the player or team that wins each rally. The first player or team to reach four points wins the game, and sets are played to six games. If both teams or players reach a tie-break at five games, they play a seventh game to decide the winner.

Let Ball Rule

In padel, if the ball hits the walls or ceiling before landing on the opponent’s side of the court, it’s a valid shot. However, if the ball hits the walls or ceiling before crossing the net, it’s a fault.

If a player hits the ball and it hits their opponent’s body or clothing before bouncing on the ground, it’s a let ball. The point is replayed in this case.

The Volley

Like in tennis, players can volley the ball in padel. A volley occurs when a player hits the ball before it bounces on the court. However, players cannot volley the ball inside the service area unless their opponent volleys it first.

In conclusion, understanding basic padel rules is crucial for anyone looking to play or watch this exciting sport. By learning these rules and practicing them on the court, you will be well on your way to mastering padel and enjoying it to the fullest.