The Rules and Scoring in Padel

The Basics of Padel

Padel is a sport that combines simplicity and strategic depth, making it popular with players of all levels. At first glance it looks similar to tennis, but there are important differences in the rules and scoring. This article provides a detailed overview of how padel is played and how scoring works.

Basic Rules of Padel

Padel is played on a 10 x 20 metre rectangular court surrounded by glass and mesh walls. The game is most often played in doubles (2 against 2), although singles play is also possible. A padel racket is smaller and more massive than a tennis racket and has no strings, resulting in a unique style of play. The serve in padel is below the hips and must first touch the ground before it is hit.

The game

A padel game begins with a serve from the right service line and the service court is changed alternately. The ball must be played over the net and into the opponent's service court. After the serve, the ball can be played back directly or over the walls, which allows for exciting rallies. The ball can touch the ground a maximum of once before it is played and can only hit the walls after it has touched the ground.

Scoring in padel

The scoring in padel is the same as in tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game. At 40-40 (deuce), a lead of two points is required to win the match. A set is won by the first team to reach six games with a lead of at least two games. If the score is 6-6, a tie-break is played. A match is usually two sets to win.

Unique Aspects of Padel

What makes padel unique is the use of walls in the game. Players can return the ball over the glass back and side walls, offering new tactical possibilities. This makes padel not only physically demanding, but also requires strategic thinking and teamwork.

Summary

Padel is a sport that is easy to learn, but also complex enough to challenge players. The combination of the use of the walls, the below-the-hip serve and the special scoring system makes padel a dynamic and addictive sport. For players who master the basic rules, padel offers endless opportunities for growth and competition.