The Essential Padel Rules Every Beginner Needs to Know

Are you a beginner looking to play padel but don’t know where to start? Look no further. Padel is a popular sport that has been increasing in popularity over the years. It is played in pairs and is a mix of tennis, racquetball, and squash. Padel is easy to learn but requires practice and knowledge of some basic rules. In this article, we will go through the essential padel rules that every beginner needs to know.

The Court

The padel court is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by glass walls. The dimensions of the court are 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width. The court is divided by a net, which is 0.88 meters high in the center and 0.92 meters high at the poles.

The Serve

The serve is an important part of padel and starts with the server inside the service box. The server must stand behind the baseline and strike the ball below their waist. The ball must be hit diagonally into the opponent’s service box, without touching the walls or the net. If the ball touches the net but still lands in the opponent’s service box, the serve is considered valid. If it doesn’t, the serve is a fault.

The Return

The return is the shot that the receiver hits after the serve. The return must be hit before the ball touches the ground twice. When returning, the ball must be hit back to the opponent’s area diagonally. If the return is successful, the game continues. However, if the return doesn’t pass the net, the server gets a point.

The Scoring System

In padel, the scoring system is the same as in tennis. The scoring system is based on points, games, and sets. To win a game, a player or team must win four points. The first point is called 15, the second point is called 30, the third point is called 40, and the fourth point is called game point. If both players or teams reach game point, they must win by two points. If the game reaches deuce, the players must win two consecutive points to win the game.

The Faults

Like in any sport, padel has faults that must be avoided. In padel, some of the most common faults include touching the net or the opponent’s area with the racket or body. Foot faults are also common and occur when the server steps over the baseline or steps into the service box before hitting the ball.

The Conclusion

Now that you know the basic rules of padel, it’s time to hit the court and start playing. Remember, padel is a fun and challenging sport, but it does require practice and knowledge of the basic rules. By following these essential padel rules, you will be on your way to becoming a pro in no time!