Understanding the Do’s and Don’ts of Padel: Basic Rules Explained

Are you new to the sport of padel? Then, you must be wondering what the basic padel rules are. Padel is a sport that is gaining popularity worldwide due to its simplicity, fun, and excitement. Padel is a combination of tennis and squash, which is played on a smaller court with a net in the middle. Padel is played in pairs and is easy to learn, but there are certain rules that you need to follow. In this article, we will cover the do’s and don’ts of padel, so you can enjoy the game to its fullest.

Do’s of Padel

1. Serve the ball

The first thing you need to do is to serve the ball. The serve must be done underhand and diagonally into the opposing court. Remember, the ball must bounce on the ground before hitting the wall.

2. Be alert

In padel, you need to be alert and on your toes. You have to be quick to react to your opponent’s shots, and you must always be ready to move your feet.

3. Hit the ball over the net

Another important rule in padel is to hit the ball over the net. The ball must land in the opposing court, and the opposing team must not touch the ball before it bounces on the ground.

4. Use your padel racket

You must use your padel racket to hit the ball. You are not allowed to use your hands or any other part of your body to hit the ball. You must also avoid hitting the ball out of bounds.

5. Communicate with your partner

Communication is key in padel. You must communicate with your partner before making a move or playing a shot. This will help you avoid confusion and make winning shots.

Don’ts of Padel

1. Do not step on the court after the ball goes out of bounds

One of the basic padel rules is that you are not allowed to step on the court after the ball goes out of bounds. You must wait until the point is over, and then retrieve the ball.

2. Do not touch the net

In padel, you are not allowed to touch the net with your body or your racket. If you do this, you will lose the point.

3. Do not hit the ball too hard

While hitting the ball hard in padel is encouraged, hitting it too hard can lead to mistakes or losing points. You have to maintain a balance between power and control, and hit the ball with the right technique.

4. Do not hinder your opponent’s movement

You are not allowed to hinder your opponent’s movement in padel. This means you cannot block their view or get in their way while they are trying to make a shot.

5. Do not argue with the referee

Finally, you must not argue with the referee in padel. If you have a disagreement, you can politely ask for an explanation, but you must accept their decision.

In conclusion, padel is a fun and exciting sport, but you need to follow the basic padel rules to enjoy it without breaking the rules. Remember, communication, alertness, and technique are key to playing padel, so practice these do’s and avoid the don’ts to become a better padel player.