Beginner’s Guide to Padel Rules and Scoring

Beginner’s Guide to Padel Rules and Scoring

🎾 Why Learn the Rules of Padel?

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, but before stepping onto the court, it’s important to understand the rules and scoring system. The good news? Padel is easy to pick up, making it perfect for beginners of all ages.

🏟️ The Padel Court Basics

  • Size: A padel court is about a third the size of a tennis court.

  • Walls: Glass or mesh walls form part of the game, similar to squash.

  • Net: A central net divides the court, just like in tennis.

  • Format: Padel is usually played as doubles (2 vs 2), though singles courts exist.

👉 The walls add a unique twist: balls can be played after bouncing off them, creating longer rallies and exciting tactics.

🎯 Serving Rules in Padel

  1. Underarm Serve Only: The ball must be hit below waist level.

  2. One Bounce: The server must bounce the ball on the ground before striking it.

  3. Diagonal Service: The serve must go into the opponent’s diagonal service box.

  4. Service Faults: The ball hitting the net or outside the service box counts as a fault. Players get two chances, just like in tennis.

📊 The Padel Scoring System

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

  • 0 = Love

  • 15 = First point

  • 30 = Second point

  • 40 = Third point

  • Game = Fourth point (must win by 2 points)

Games → Sets → Match:

  • A set is won by the first pair to reach 6 games with at least a 2-game lead (e.g., 6–4).

  • Matches are usually played as best of 3 sets.

🔄 How a Tiebreak Works in Padel

When the score in a set reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is played to decide the winner of that set.

  • The first team to reach 7 points with at least a 2-point lead wins the tiebreak (e.g., 7–5).

  • If the score reaches 6–6 in the tiebreak, play continues until one team has that 2-point margin (e.g., 9–7).

  • Scoring in a tiebreak is counted numerically (1, 2, 3…) instead of using 15–30–40.

  • Serving in a tiebreak:

    • The first server plays one point from the right-hand (deuce) side.

    • After that, service alternates every two points, switching between teams and sides.

👉 The winner of the tiebreak takes the set 7–6.

⚖️ Key Padel Rules to Remember

  • Ball in Play: The ball must first bounce on the court before hitting the walls. Direct hits into walls or fence = out.

  • Net Play: Players can volley (hit the ball in the air before it bounces), but never touch the net.

  • Serving Order: Teams alternate serving games, and within each team, players rotate servers.

  • Let Rule: If the serve hits the net and still lands in the correct service box, it’s replayed.

💡 Tips for Beginners Learning the Rules

  • Focus on Control: Rallies can last longer than tennis, so consistent returns matter.

  • Use the Walls: Think strategically — rebounds are part of the game.

  • Communicate: Since padel is mostly doubles, teamwork is crucial.

  • Don’t Stress: Most players pick up the rules in a single session.

🛠️ Gear to Get You Started

Knowing the rules is step one — the next step is having the right equipment:

  • Padel Racket: Lightweight, easy to handle, designed for control.

  • Padel Balls: Slightly lower pressure than tennis balls.

  • Shoes: Court shoes with grip designed for artificial turf.

👉 Check out our Beginner’s Padel Gear Collection to find everything you need before your first game.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Padel’s rules and scoring system are simple, making it one of the most beginner-friendly racket sports around. With a quick understanding of how to serve, score, and play tiebreaks, you’ll be ready to enjoy your first match with confidence.

So grab a racket, find a court, and put these padel rules into practice today.

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