The Ultimate Guide to Padel Court Rules and Dimensions: Everything You Need to Know

Padel is a game that has quickly gained popularity around the world. It’s a fun, fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, and it’s easy to learn, which has made it popular among beginners as well as seasoned athletes. One of the best things about padel is that it can be played virtually anywhere, as long as you have access to a court. But before you hit the court, it’s important to understand the rules and dimensions of the game. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about padel court rules and dimensions.

Padel Court Dimensions

The first thing you need to know about padel is the court dimensions. A padel court is 20 meters long by 10 meters wide (65.6 feet long by 32.8 feet wide), which makes it smaller than a tennis court. The walls surrounding the court are 3 meters high, and the net is 88 cm high at the sides and 92 cm high at the center. The court is divided into two halves by the net, and each half is further divided into three zones: the service zone, the volley zone, and the back zone.

Padel Court Rules

Now that you know the dimensions of a padel court, let’s dive into the rules of the game. Here are the most important rules you need to keep in mind when playing padel:

Scoring

Scoring in padel is the same as in tennis. The game is played in sets, and the first player/team to win two sets wins the match. Each set is divided into games, and the player/team that wins six games with a two-game lead wins the set. If the set is tied at 6-6, a tie-breaker game is played to determine the winner of the set.

Serving

When serving in padel, the ball must be hit underhand and must be hit diagonally, starting from the right-hand side of the court and into the opposite service box. The server gets two attempts to make a good serve. If the first serve is out, the player gets a second serve. If the second serve is also out, the point goes to the other team.

Volleys and Returns

In padel, volleys are allowed and are a big part of the game. However, the ball must bounce once before it can be volleyed. Once the ball has bounced, players can hit the ball in the air or let it bounce again before hitting it. Returns must also be made after the ball has bounced once, and the ball must be returned without touching the walls or ceiling.

Scoring and Faults

Points in padel are awarded when the ball hits the ground or walls of the opposite half of the court, or if the other team makes a fault. Faults occur when a player touches the net, hits the ball out of bounds, hits the ball before it bounces twice, or hits the ball into the wrong side of the court. If a player commits a fault, the other team is awarded a point.

Conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of padel court rules and dimensions, you’re ready to hit the court and start playing. Just remember to keep these rules in mind and to always have fun. If you’re looking to improve your gameplay, make sure to practice your serves, volleys, and returns. And who knows, you might just become the next padel superstar. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start playing!