Padel Tennis Rules - A comprehensive guide for beginners
Welcome to the exciting world of padel tennis! Whether you've played other racket sports or are a complete newbie, this guide aims to introduce you to the fundamentals of padel tennis in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. You can find the complete guide to the rules of Padel here.
Introduction
Padel tennis, commonly known as 'padel', is a racket sport that has been compared to a mix of tennis and squash. It's played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court. The walls are used as part of the game.
The Court
The padel court is rectangular, measuring 10 meters wide and 20 meters long. It is enclosed with walls at the back and sides. There are also metal mesh sections on the sides. The court is divided into two halves by a net.
Equipment
Racket: Solid, without strings. Typically perforated and made of a composite material.
Ball: Similar to a tennis ball but slightly softer.
Footwear: Sports shoes with a non-marking sole.
Serving
The serve must be underhand.
The server must bounce and hit the ball at or below waist level.
The ball must land in the opposite square, and then it's allowed to hit the wall.
If the ball hits the net and lands in the correct square, a let is called, and the serve is retaken.
Each player serves for an entire game, then service switches to the opposing team.
Playing the Ball
Players can hit the ball before or after it bounces on the ground.
After the ball bounces, it can hit the side walls or back wall.
If the ball hits the mesh or walls without bouncing on the ground first, it's still in play.
The ball must always be hit below head height.
If a player hits the ball out of the court without it touching the ground within the court boundaries, the opposing team wins the point.
Scoring
Padel uses traditional tennis scoring:
Points progress from 15, 30, 40, and then game.
If both teams reach 40-40, it's called a deuce. A team must win by 2 clear points to win the game from a deuce.
A set is won by the team that reaches 6 games, but they must lead by at least 2 games. If the score reaches 5-5, one team must win 7-5. If the score reaches 6-6, a tie-break is played.
A match is usually the best of three sets.
Wall Rules
A ball can be played off any wall after it has bounced once on the floor.
If the ball hits the side wall and goes out of the court without touching the ground, it's considered out.
Other Essential Rules
Players can't touch the net or invade the opponent's side of the court.
A ball that hits a player before bouncing is a point for the opposing team.
Players should serve from behind the service line and between the central line and the wall.
After serving, players can move anywhere on their side of the court.
Tips for Beginners
Communication is vital. Since padel is played in doubles, always communicate with your partner.
Use the walls to your advantage. They add an extra dimension to the game.
Focus on placing the ball rather than hitting it too hard.
Enjoy the game! Padel is known for being fun and sociable.
Conclusion
Padel tennis might seem complex initially, but as with any sport, the more you play, the more intuitive it becomes. Always have fun and enjoy the unique blend of skills and strategies that Padel offers. Grab a racket, find a partner, and give it a go!
