What are the rules of padel?

Padel Rules Overview

 

Padel is typically played in doubles. Both of the two courts at our facility are doubles courts, but you can train in two's or three's. 

 

The scoring system is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, deuce, though many use a golden point (next point wins) at deuce instead of playing advantage (win by two points). 

 

Serving Rules:

 

Players alternate serves for each game. To decide who serves first, flip a coin or play a point. Serves must be underarm (below the waist) and after one bounce behind service line. The serve must go diagonally into the opponent's service box. Serving starts from the right side and alternates each point. Once the point is in play, service lines no longer matter.

 

Serve Validity:

​

If the serve bounces and hits the glass, it’s valid. If it bounces and hits the metal fence, it’s a fault. If the serve hits the net, lands in the correct box, then hits the glass, it’s a let then you replay the serve. If it hits the net and then the fence, it’s a fault. Like tennis, a second serve is allowed if the first is a fault.

 

During Play:

 

You must let the ball bounce once before returning a serve. You can play off your own glass walls but not the metal fencing. If the ball bounces twice on your side, or hits you or your partner, you lose the point. Volleys are allowed at all times, except when returning a serve.

​

Walls:

The ball can bounce off the glass or fence after hitting the ground—players can return it before the second bounce.

Directly hitting the wall or fence without first bouncing in the court is out.

​

Change of Ends:

Teams change ends every odd-numbered game (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.).