Padel Rules

What makes padel unique.

Padel is usually played as doubles, with two players on each side. This format emphasizes teamwork and communication, making the game dynamic and enjoyable. Unlike singles tennis, doubles padel encourages constant interaction between partners and creates a more social playing environment.

The court itself is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by glass and mesh walls. These walls aren’t just barriers; they’re part of the game. Players can use them strategically to bounce the ball, adding a unique tactical element that sets padel apart from other racket sports.

In short:

• Padel is usually played as doubles (2 v 2).
• The court is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by glass and mesh walls for the ball to bounce off.

Start the point the right way.

All serves in padel must be underhand. The server drops the ball, allows it to bounce once, and then strikes it below waist height. This rule ensures that rallies start fairly and prevents overpowering serves, making the game more accessible to players of all levels.

The ball must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box for the serve to be valid. Just like tennis, you are allowed a second serve if your first attempt is a fault. However, if both serves are faults, the receiving team automatically wins the point.

In short:

• Serve underhand, allow the ball to bounce once, then hit the ball under waist height.
• The ball must bounce diagonally in your opponent’s service box.
• If the first serve is a fault, you have a second serve. If that’s also a fault, the opposing team wins the point.

Same scoring as tennis.

Padel follows the traditional tennis scoring system. A game starts at zero, also known as “Love,” and progresses through 15, 30, 40, and then Game. To win a game, a team must reach 40 and then win the next point, unless the score reaches 40–40.

If both teams reach 40 points, the game goes to “Deuce.” From there, a team must win two consecutive points to secure the game. Matches are typically played as best of three sets, with each set usually requiring six games to win, provided there’s at least a two-game lead.

In short:

• Points: 0 (Love), 15, 30, 40, then Game.
• Deuce: At 40–40, you need two points in a row to win the game.
• Match: Usually best of three sets.

Avoid these to keep rallies alive.

Several faults can occur during play, and knowing them helps players avoid unnecessary point losses. A common fault is allowing the ball to bounce twice before returning it. Players must remain alert and quick to keep the rally alive.

Serving incorrectly is another fault. This includes hitting the serve above waist height, serving into the wrong box, or hitting the net. If these errors happen, the serving team risks losing their chance to score and gives the opponents an advantage.

In short: