Padel rules
Padel, a sport combining Tennis and Squash/Racquetball elements, has been gaining popularity worldwide. You’re in the right place if you’re new to this exciting game or looking to brush up on the rules. In this post, we’ll explore how you can score points in Padel and delve into some standard controls you should know before stepping onto the court. So, let’s begin with the help of our Premium Partner, Wilson Sporting Goods.
Table of Contents
How Do You Score a Point in Padel?
Padel employs a scoring system identical to that of tennis. A game progresses through the familiar sequence: 15/0, 30/0, 40/0, deuce, advantage, etc. However, there’s a unique twist in the World Padel Tour system. When the game reaches a deuce, the winner is determined by a thrilling “golden point.”
A set in Padel consists of players competing in six games, and a match typically comprises the best of three sets. When a set reaches a tie, with both sides having won six games, a tie-break of 7 points is played to determine the set winner.
Scoring in Padel
Scoring a point in padel can be a thrilling experience, and it requires certain specific conditions to be met. To earn a point, one of the following scenarios must occur:
Opponent’s Ball Hits the Net or Court Elements: If the opponent’s Ball hits the net or any part of the court, such as the wall, fence, or spotlights, without first bouncing in the opponent’s court, you score a point.
Ball Bounces Twice on Opponent’s Side: If the Ball bounces twice on the opponent’s side of the court before they can return it, you win the point.
Ball Directly Hits an Opponent’s Body: If the Ball directly hits an opponent’s body, accidentally or intentionally, you earn a point.
Ball Goes Out of Bounds: If the Ball bounces in the opponent’s side of the court and then goes out of bounds, you secure a point.
Multiple Hits with the Racket: If a player accidentally or intentionally touches the Ball more than once with their racket during a single point, their opponent is awarded the point.
Common Rules in Padel
While Padel shares some similarities with tennis, it also has its unique set of rules. Here are some standard practices in Padel that you should be aware of:
Court Boundaries: In Padel, the ball can touch the sides of the court and the glass walls and even bounce and leave the court before re-entering play.
Serving Rules: Each point begins with a serve, which must be executed after a bounce and below the waist. Like tennis, the served ball must cross into the opponent’s square. Players have two serves each. When receiving a serve, the opponent cannot hit a volley; the ball must bounce first.
Use of Walls and Glass: The serve can touch the glass after the bounce, not the side fence. However, once the point begins, the ball can touch the wall without penalty. It’s the only situation where the ball touches the fence after a bounce is considered “out.”
Single Hit, Volleys, and Crossing the Court: Players are allowed only one hit, and volleys are permissible as long as they don’t invade the opponent’s side of the court.
Use of Walls: The ball can bounce off the walls only after its initial bounce on the court.
Switching Sides: Players must switch sides when the sum of games is odd (e.g., 2-1 or 3-2).
With these rules in mind, you’re now well-equipped to step onto the padel court and engage in this exciting sport. So, gather your gear, find a partner, and enjoy the game. Good luck, and have fun!
History of Padel
Padel was first played in Mexico in the 1960s. It was invented by Enrique Corcuera, who was looking for a way to make tennis more accessible to the general public. He wanted to create a sport that could be played on smaller courts, with less expensive equipment, and by people of all skill levels.
The spread of Padel
Padel quickly spread to other parts of Latin America, and by the 1970s, it was being played in Spain, where it gained a significant following.
From there, it spread to other parts of Europe, and today it is played in countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. The latest boom in popularity is in Scandinavia.
Padel in the 21st Century
In recent years, padel has seen an explosion in popularity, with new clubs and facilities being built worldwide. The sport is now governed by the World Padel Tour, which organizes professional tournaments and oversees the development of the sport. With its speed, skill, and strategy combination, padel is becoming a favourite among players of all ages and skill levels.
Padel and the Olympics
Padel is not yet an Olympic sport, but it’s recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an emerging sport. The World Padel Tour and the International Padel Federation are working to promote the sport to the IOC and include it in future Olympic Games. With its growing popularity and the support of the IOC, it’s possible that Padel could become an Olympic sport in the future.
Why is Padel so Popular?
Padel has been traditionally considered a men’s sport, but in recent years, it has seen an increase in the number of women participating.
Women’s padel has its tournaments, the most important being the Femme Open, which began in 2018. Padel is a very inclusive sport, and it is easy for women to get involved in the sport, as it is a less physically demanding sport than tennis, making it accessible to a broader range of women.
The increasing popularity of the sport among women is also helped by the fact that people of all skill levels can play it and that it is a fun and social sport that players of all ages can enjoy.