Padel Rules: Surprising Differences from Tennis You Need to Know

Padel is a racket sport that has elements of both tennis and squash and is gaining popularity worldwide. It is typically played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court. Surrounded by walls, the game involves a unique blend of tennis strokes and squash tactics, with the ball allowed to bounce off the perimeter walls, adding a distinctive twist to the traditional racket sports.

Padel Rules: An Essential Guide to Gameplay Regulations

The rules of padel are designed to facilitate long rallies and strategic play. Scoring is similar to tennis, employing a love-15-30-40 scoring system, with six games needed to win a set. Serving is underhand, and the ball must bounce once before being struck, adding a layer of skill and control to the service game.

Understanding the complexities of padel is crucial for anyone looking to enjoy the sport. Whether you're a seasoned tennis player or new to racket sports, mastering the rules and techniques of padel can provide a refreshing and enjoyable athletic experience. Familiarity with the rules not only makes for fair play but also maximizes the enjoyment of this rapidly growing sport.

Fundamentals of Padel

In this section, I will cover the essential aspects of padel including equipment, rules of play, and the scoring system. My aim is to provide a clear understanding of the basic components you'll need to grasp before stepping onto the padel court.

Equipment and Court Specifications

A padel court is smaller than a tennis court, measuring 20 meters long by 10 meters wide. It is enclosed with glass walls at the back and metal mesh on the sides. I use a padel racket which is solid, without strings, and typically made from carbon fiber or fiberglass. The balls closely resemble tennis balls but are smaller and have less pressure.

Court Dimensions:

Length: 20m
Width: 10m
Enclosure: Glass walls (rear), metal mesh (sides)

Racket Materials:

Carbon fiber
Fiberglass

Ball Specifications:

Reduced size and pressure compared to tennis balls

Basics of Play

When I serve, the ball must be hit below waist level after bouncing on the court. The serve must also land in the opponent's diagonal service box. I can play the ball off the walls on my side of the court, but it can only bounce once on the floor before I must return it. Importantly, the unique element of padel is that I can hit the ball over the walls and play can continue as long as the ball doesn't touch the ground outside the court boundaries.

Serve Rules:

Serve must bounce before striking
Must be hit below waist level
Ball must land in the diagonal service box

Hitting Rules:

Ball must be struck before the second bounce
Playing off the walls is permitted

Game Structure

Scoring in padel follows a system similar to that of tennis with a few nuances. I earn points with the following sequence: 15, 30, 40, and if I win the next point, I win the game. If the score becomes 40-40, it is known as deuce. At deuce, I will need to win two consecutive points to win the game unless it goes to a golden point—a single decisive point following a deuce. A set comprises six games, and I may need a tiebreak round to decide the set if the game score reaches 6-6.

Scoring System:

Sequential Point Values: 15, 30, 40, Game
At 40-40 (Deuce): Win by two consecutive points
Golden Point: A single decisive point post-deuce

Set & Match Structure:

First to 6 games wins a set
Tiebreak at 6-6 game score
Matches typically best of three or five sets

Advanced Play and Strategy

In padel, excelling at an advanced level requires more than just physical prowess. It's about making intelligent decisions and understanding the interplay between positioning, service tactics, and strategic shots.

Player Positions and Responsibilities

In doubles padel, the responsibilities of players are distinctly defined by their positions on the court. I focus on maintaining a strategic formation with my partner to effectively cover the playing surface and respond to our opponents' shots. The player at the net typically aims for aggressive volleys or smashes to win points, while the back player provides support, ready to intercept any balls that pass the net player.

Front Player (Net Player): Focuses on aggressive volleys and smashes, aims to dominate the net.
Back Player: Provides coverage, ready for long shots, and supports the net player.

Service Rules and Techniques

A fundamental aspect of padel strategy is the serve. I serve with an underarm motion, ensuring the ball strikes below my waist level. It is crucial to aim for variety in serving to keep the opponents guessing. A service fault occurs if the ball hits the metallic mesh rather than the glass directly or if it bounces beyond the receiver's diagonal service box.

Type of Service: Underarm serve, striking below waist level.
Padel Serve: Ball must hit playing surface within the correct box on the opponents' side.
Service Fault: Ball hitting metallic mesh directly or landing outside the correct box constitutes a fault.

Strategies and Tactics

A match-tested strategy I adopt during play comprises anticipating opponents' movements and exploiting their weak spots. Building a rally to draw opponents out of position before unleashing a winning shot is a tactic I employ. This requires excellent ball control, precision, and teamwork. Through experience, I have also learned that rotating sides and changing strategies mid-match are essential to maintain the upper hand.

Teamwork: Coordination and communication with my partner are essential for effective rotation and covering sides.
Ball Control: Winning points relies on my ability to place shots accurately and manage the pace of rallies.
Rotation: Changing sides and tactics disrupts opponents and keeps my team unpredictable.