Padel 101: Everything Beginners Need to Know About the Rules

If you’re new to the world of padel, welcome! It’s a fun and exciting sport that is gaining popularity around the globe. But before you hit the court, it’s important to understand the basic rules of the game. In this article, we will cover the fundamental regulations of padel that every beginner needs to know.

What is padel?

Padel is a combination of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico in the 1960s. It’s played on a court that is smaller than a tennis court and enclosed by walls. The equipment used in padel is similar to tennis, but the balls are slightly smaller and have less bounce.

The basics of padel

Padel is typically played in pairs, with two players on each side of the court. The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court without them being able to return it. Each point is scored when the ball bounces twice on the opponent’s court, or if the opponent hits the ball out of bounds.

The serve

The serve is an essential part of padel and follows specific rules. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball underhand. The ball must bounce on the server’s side of the court and then cross the net into the opponent’s court. If the ball hits the net and lands in the correct court, the serve is considered “let.” The server gets two attempts to deliver a valid serve, and if they fail both times, they lose the point.

The volley

In padel, players are allowed to hit the ball before it bounces on their side of the court. This is known as a volley and is an important part of the game. Players can use this technique to surprise their opponents or to hit difficult shots that would be impossible after a bounce.

The double bounce rule

One of the unique rules of padel is the double bounce rule. The ball must bounce on the ground once on the server’s side of the court, then on the opponent’s side, and then again on the server’s side before players are allowed to hit the ball in the air. If a player hits the ball before this sequence of bounces happens, they will lose the point.

The scoring

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis. Players get one point for each successful rally, and the first team to reach four points wins the game. The matches are typically played as the best of three games.

In conclusion

Padel is an excellent sport that is easy to learn and fun to play. By understanding the basic rules, beginners can start enjoying the game immediately. Remember to practice regularly and have fun on the court, and you’ll soon become an expert in padel beginners rules!