Top 10 Padel Rules You Need to Know Before Hitting the Court

Are you considering giving padel a try? This fast-paced racket sport, which originated in Mexico, is a mix of tennis and squash, played in an enclosed space with glass walls. But before hitting the court, there are some basic padel rules that you need to know to enjoy this sport to the fullest. In this post, we will explain the top 10 padel rules to help you get started.

Rule #1: Scoring in padel

Scoring in padel is similar to tennis, with minor differences. A padel match consists of the best of three sets, with each set played until one team reaches six games, with a minimum difference of two games. If the score is tied at six games per team, a tiebreaker is played to decide the set.

Rule #2: Serving in padel

The serve in padel is underhand and must be hit diagonally into the opposite service box, starting from the right-hand side of the court. If the ball touches the net and lands in the correct service box, it is considered a valid serve, and the server gets another chance. The server must serve from behind the service line and must not enter the court before hitting the ball.

Rule #3: Return of serve in padel

The return of serve must be hit after the ball bounces on the court. The returner can hit the ball before or after the first bounce, but the second bounce must be taken after hitting the ball. The return of serve must also land inside the opposing team’s court directly, without bouncing in the service box.

Rule #4: Let in padel

If the serve hits the net but lands inside the right service box, it is known as a “let,” and the server gets to serve again without penalty.

Rule #5: Volley in padel

Volley is a shot in padel where the player hits the ball before it bounces. Players can volley from anywhere on the court, but it is not allowed to volley inside the service box. A volley must also be hit inside the boundaries of the opposite court.

Rule #6: Double bounce in padel

In padel, the ball must bounce on the ground before any player can hit it after the serve. After the first bounce, players can hit the ball before it bounces again but must let the ball bounce once more before hitting it. Therefore, a point ends when a player fails to return the ball onto the opponent’s court before it bounces twice.

Rule #7: Walls in padel

In padel, the walls that surround the court are considered part of the playing surface. Players can use the walls to hit the ball, but the ball must hit the walls before it bounces off the ground. Players cannot hit the ball directly off the back wall without bouncing it first.

Rule #8: Crossing the central line in padel

Players must not cross the central line that divides the court before hitting the ball on the opponent’s court. However, once the ball has crossed the net, players can move around freely on the court, and there is no need to stick to their respective sides of the court.

Rule #9: Ball out in padel

If the ball lands outside the court, it is considered out, and the opposing team scores the point. If the ball hits the walls before going out, it is still considered out.

Rule #10: Inadvertent interference in padel

Inadvertent interference occurs when the ball hits a part of the court fixture, such as the ceiling or a light fitting, but is still in play. In such cases, the point continues, and no penalty is given.

Conclusion: Know Your Padel Rules

Padel rules explained might seem complicated and daunting at first, but once you start playing, you will find them easy to follow. Padel is a fun and exciting sport that anyone can play, regardless of age or skill level. By following the rules, you can enjoy a thrilling game of padel that is both challenging and rewarding. So, go ahead and hit the court – who knows, you may just discover your new favorite sport!