Padel Rules for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re looking to get started in padel, it’s important to understand the rules of the game. Padel is a fun and exciting sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, and there are a few key things you need to know before you hit the court. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to start playing padel like a pro.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racquet sport that originated in Mexico in the 1960s. It’s played on a court that’s about half the size of a tennis court and is surrounded by glass walls. The ball used in padel is similar to a tennis ball, but it’s slightly smaller and doesn’t bounce as high. Padel is a doubles game, with two players on each team.

The Basics: Scoring and Serving

The scoring system in padel is similar to tennis. A match is typically played as best of three sets, with each set going to six games. To win a game, you must win by two points. If the score is tied at 6-6, a tiebreak is played to determine the winner of the set.

Serving in padel is underhand and must be done from behind the service line. The server must bounce the ball once before serving, and the ball must land in the opponent’s service box. If the ball hits the net and lands in the service box, the serve is a let and must be retaken. If the serve is not good, the opponent receives the point.

Playing the Game

The game starts with a serve, and players continue to alternate serves until the game is over. The ball must bounce on the ground once before it hits any of the walls. Players must hit the ball back and forth, aiming for the walls to make it harder for their opponents to return the ball.

If the ball hits the side or back walls or the glass before bouncing on the ground, it’s considered a valid shot. If it hits the roof or any other part of the court that’s out of bounds, the shot is considered out of play.

Players can communicate with their partner during the game, but they must not obstruct the view of their opponents or distract them in any way.

The Role of the Walls in Padel

One of the unique things about padel is that the walls are part of the playing area. This means that players can use the walls to their advantage, hitting the ball off the walls to create different angles and make it harder for their opponents to return the shot.

However, there are rules about how and when players can use the walls. If a player hits the ball into the wall and it immediately comes back into play, the shot does not count – the ball must first bounce on the ground before hitting the wall.

Winning the Point

A point can be won in padel in several ways. If your opponent hits the ball out of bounds or fails to return the ball before it bounces twice on their side of the court, you win the point. You can also win the point if your opponents hit the ball into the net or if they hit a shot that goes out of bounds after bouncing on the walls.

Conclusion

That’s a basic overview of padel rules for beginners. While the sport may seem intimidating at first, it’s a lot of fun and easy to learn with practice. Remember to have fun and enjoy the game – whether you’re playing competitively or just for fun, padel is a great way to stay active and meet new people.