Padel is typically played in a best-of-three sets format. Each set is played to 6 games, and a team must win by a margin of at least 2 games.
If the score in a set reaches 6-6, a tiebreaker game is played to determine the winner of that set. The tiebreaker is played to 7 points, and again, a 2-point margin is required.
The first team to win two sets wins the match.
The game begins with one team serving. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box, which is marked by a lower line on each side of the court.
The serve must be underhand, and the server should make contact with the ball below waist level.
The serve must be directed to the opponent's diagonal service box, and it must bounce once before it can be returned.
The scoring system in padel is similar to tennis, using terms like "15," "30," "40," and "game."
The first point won in a game is called "15," the second point "30," the third point "40," and if a player/team wins the next point, they win the game.
If the game reaches a score of 40-40 (also known as "deuce"), one team must win two consecutive points to win the game. The first point after deuce is called "advantage," and if the same team wins the next point, they win the game. If the other team wins the point, the score returns to deuce.
The padel court is an enclosed area with a front glass wall and solid walls on the sides and back. The court dimensions are 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width.
There is a net in the center of the court, dividing it into two equal halves.
The service box is marked by a lower line on each side of the court, and the service area includes both the service box and the back wall.
Padel is typically played in doubles, with each team consisting of two players.
The ball can be played off the walls, and the ball is in play until it touches the ground outside the court boundaries or an error is made by a player.
The ball must be hit below waist level, and it must not be volleyed directly from the serve.
If the ball hits the net but still lands in the service box on a serve, it's called a "let," and the server gets another chance to serve without penalty.
If a let occurs during regular play, the point is replayed.
A fault occurs when a player fails to make a legal serve or violates any other rules of the game.
Faults on serve can include stepping on or over the baseline, not hitting the ball into the diagonal service box, or hitting the ball above waist level.
These are the basic rules of padel, but it’s important to note that there may be variations and additional rules depending on local regulations and tournament rules. Players should always familiarize themselves with the specific rules of the venue or competition they are participating in.
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