The Official Rules of Padel: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

What Are the Rules of Padel?

Padel is a fast-growing racket sport that blends elements of tennis and squash. It is played on an enclosed court with walls, and the scoring system is similar to tennis. However, padel has unique rules that set it apart from other racket sports. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the official padel rules, including padel serve rules and how they differ from tennis.

Padel is played in doubles (two players per team) on a court measuring 10m x 20m, enclosed with glass and mesh walls. The game starts with a serve, and players must use a padel racket to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s half, following specific rules.

1. Scoring System

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

- 15, 30, 40, and game.

- If both teams reach 40-40, it's called deuce, and one team must win two consecutive points to secure the game.

- Matches are typically played as best of three or five sets, with a set being won by the first team to win six games with at least a two-game advantage.

2. Padel Serve Rules

Serving in padel follows these key rules:

- The serve must be underhand and hit below waist height.

- The server must stand behind the service line and bounce the ball before hitting it.

- The ball must be served diagonally into the opponent’s service box.

- The serve must not hit the fence after bouncing in the opponent’s service box (otherwise, it’s a fault).

- Each player gets two serves per point.

3. Playing the Ball

Once the ball is in play:

- The ball must bounce on the ground before hitting the walls (except when volleying).

- Players can hit the ball after it bounces off the walls, similar to squash.

- The ball is out if it hits the fence before bouncing on the ground.

- Players can play the ball outside the court if allowed by the court’s design.

4. Ball in and Out of Play

- A ball is in if it bounces within the court boundaries.

- A ball is out if it touches the fence before bouncing or lands outside the court lines.

- If the ball bounces twice before a player returns it, the opposing team wins the point.

5. Are Padel Rules the Same as Tennis?

No, padel rules are different from tennis in several ways:

- Padel serves must be underhand, while tennis allows overhand serves.

- The walls are part of play in padel, unlike in tennis.

- Padel rackets are solid without strings, unlike tennis rackets.

- Padel courts are much smaller than tennis courts.

Ready to play?

Padel is an exciting sport with rules that make it fun and accessible for all skill levels. Understanding padel serve rules, scoring, and gameplay will help you enjoy the game and improve your performance. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, following the official padel rules will ensure a fair and competitive match.

Are you ready to hit the court? Join our PADL LDN sessions!