Sport
Padel
- players
- 4
- minutes
- 60
- years
- 8+
In the box
Padel rackets, balls, a glass-walled court
Official rules (PDF, federation's site)
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- DexterityReal-TimeTeam-Based
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
Always played in doubles, on a court enclosed by glass walls and mesh, the aim is to make the ball bounce twice in the opposing court or force a fault. You serve underarm after a bounce, and the ball must first bounce on the ground on your side before it may touch the glass; scoring is as in tennis, 15, 30, 40, game, in sets of six games. The match is the best of three sets.
The rules, step by step
Setup
Always doubles, 20 × 10 m court, Glass and mesh
- Always played as doubles, on a court 20 metres by 10, enclosed by glass walls and wire mesh.
- Solid, perforated rackets, with no strings.
How to play
Underarm serve, Ground bounce first, Glass first: fault
- The serve is underarm, below the waist, after a bounce on the ground.
- The ball must first bounce on the ground on your side. It may then hit your own walls before being returned; a ball that hits the wall before the ground is a fault.
- A ball that hits the opponents' mesh before the ground is a fault.
Scoring
15, 30, 40, game, 6-game sets, Tie-break at 6-6
- Scoring as in tennis: 15, 30, 40, game.
- A set is six games with a two-game lead, and a seven-point tie-break at 6-6.
End of the game
2 sets to win
- The match is best of three sets.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
How does it differ from tennis?
It is played by four, on a smaller court enclosed by glass walls and mesh: the ball can bounce off the walls, which prolongs the rallies and changes everything.
How are points counted?
Exactly as in tennis: 15, 30, 40, game; six games for a set; best of three sets. The serve is underarm, below the waist.
Can the ball hit the wall?
Yes, after bouncing once on the ground on your side. You can let it run on to the glass and play it off the rebound: that is the art peculiar to padel.
Can you hit the ball straight onto the opponents' wall?
No: on the opponents' side, the ball must go over the net and bounce on their ground first. You may, however, use your own walls to defend.
Is the serve special?
Yes: bounce the ball on the ground then hit it below the waist, diagonally. Two attempts, as in tennis.