Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding Padel Doubles Rules as a Beginner

Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding Padel Doubles Rules as a Beginner

Welcome to the world of padel! If you’re a beginner looking to jump into the exciting game of padel doubles, you might find yourself feeling slightly overwhelmed by the rules. But fear not! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll break down the rules for you so that you can hit the court with confidence. So grab your padel racket, put on your game face, and let’s dive into how to understand the rules of padel doubles as a beginner.

1. The Basic Setup

Padel doubles is played on a court that is slightly smaller than a tennis court, with a lower net. The game is always played with four players, two on each side. Each team has one player serving to start the game.

2. The Serve

Now it’s time to get the ball rolling, quite literally! The serve in padel doubles is underhand, and it must be served diagonally, starting from the right-hand side of the court to the opposite side. The serve must clear the net and land within the opposing service box.

3. Scoring

Scoring in padel doubles follows a similar format to tennis. The server starts with “love-all,” then earns points by winning rallies. Unlike tennis, padel uses a “no-advantage” scoring system. This means that if the game reaches deuce (40-40), the next point won is called “golden point,” and it determines who wins the game.

4. In-Bounds or Out-of-Bounds?

One of the trickiest aspects for beginners is understanding when a shot is considered in-bounds or out-of-bounds. In padel doubles, any shot that bounces inside the court or hits the walls without touching the fence is considered in. But be careful, if the ball touches the net and lands outside of the court, it’s considered out-of-bounds.

5. Let’s Get the Rally Going

Once the ball is in play, the rally begins! Each team must hit the ball alternatively, bouncing it off the ground before it hits any of the walls. Like in tennis, the ball must clear the net and land within the opponent’s court. Rally on, my friend!

6. Keep an Eye on the Corners

Padel doubles is unique because playing off the walls is not only allowed but also an essential strategy. Pay close attention to the corners of the court! Hitting the ball off the walls can add extra spin and unpredictability to your shots. Mastering the art of playing off the walls will certainly give you an edge in the game.

7. Serving Rotation

Now, let’s talk about the serving rotation. The serving team will alternate players after each point, changing sides of the court every odd game. This ensures fairness and balance throughout the match.

8. Faulty Footwork

Just like any other sport, there are rules relating to footwork in padel doubles. While serving, both feet must remain behind the baseline until after the serve is made. Additionally, when receiving the serve, players must also keep both feet behind the service line before returning the ball.

And there you have it—the key rules of padel doubles for beginners! Hopefully, this step-by-step guide has shed some light on the game and made you feel more confident about stepping onto the court. Remember, practice makes perfect, so grab a partner, familiarize yourself with the rules, and enjoy the exhilarating world of padel doubles!