A Beginner’s Guide to Padel: Understanding the Rules

Padel is a popular racket sport that originated in Mexico but has since become popular all over the world. It combines elements of tennis and squash, making it a fast and exciting game to play. If you’re new to padel, understanding the rules can seem overwhelming at first. But don’t worry, this beginner’s guide will break down the most important rules for you, so you can start playing and enjoying the game in no time.

The Court and Equipment

Before we dive into the rules, let’s first take a look at the court and equipment. Padel is typically played on an enclosed court that measures 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width. The court is divided into two halves by a net, and each half has one service box, just like in tennis.

As for equipment, you’ll need a padel racket, which is smaller than a tennis racket but larger than a squash racket. The ball used in padel is also different from other racket sports – it’s a low-pressure ball that’s designed to bounce less.

The Serve

Like in tennis, padel starts with a serve. The server must stand in the service box and hit the ball underhand, making sure it bounces once in their own half of the court and then over the net and into the opponent’s half. The serve must be hit diagonally, meaning it must land in the opposite service box.

After the first serve, the second serve can be hit from the same side or the opposite side. If the ball hits the net and lands in the correct service box, the player can take another serve. If the ball hits the net and lands outside the service box, it’s considered a fault.

The Rally

Once the serve is in play, the rally begins. The objective of the game is to hit the ball so that it lands in the opponent’s half of the court and bounces only once. The ball can only be hit once before it must bounce again, either on the ground or off the walls of the court. Players must alternate hitting the ball between them and their partner, and the ball must always be hit after it has bounced.

If a ball bounces twice before it is hit, it’s considered a point for the opposing team. If the ball hits the walls or ceiling before it bounces, the rally continues until someone hits the ball out of bounds or makes a mistake.

The Scoring

Scoring in padel is similar to tennis, with some slight differences. A game is won by the first team to reach six games, but they must win by a margin of two games. If the game is tied at six games apiece, a tie-breaker is played to determine the winner.

Points are counted in the following way: 0 points are called “love,” 1 point is “15,” 2 points is “30,” 3 points is “40,” and 4 points wins the game. If both teams are tied at 40 points, it’s called “deuce.” The first team to score two consecutive points after deuce wins the game.

The Faults

There are several types of faults in padel, and committing any of them will result in the loss of the point. Here are some common faults to avoid:

– Hitting the ball out of bounds
– Hitting the ball twice in a row
– Not letting the ball bounce before hitting it
– Hitting the ball before it has crossed the net
– Serving outside of the service box

Conclusion

Padel is a fun and exciting game that’s easy to learn but challenging to master. By understanding the rules outlined in this beginner’s guide, you’ll be able to start playing and enjoying the game in no time. So grab your racket, head to the court, and let’s play some padel!