6 Top Basic Rules To Start Playing Padel

So you’ve been hearing about padel everywhere, and now you’re curious, right? You want to grab a racket and dive in, but you’re not quite sure where to start. Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. By the end of this, you’ll know the basic rules and be ready to hit the court with confidence. Let’s get into it.

Ready to Hit the Court?

Before you get onto the padel court, it’s a good idea to learn the basic rules. You don’t need to know everything right away, but understanding the key points will make the game more fun. Once you know the rules, you’ll feel more confident as you play.

Padel is easy to learn, and the rules are pretty simple once you get started. Knowing how to serve, score, and move around the court will make the game flow better. The more you understand, the more you’ll enjoy the game and play with ease.

Furthermore, Padel is also about teamwork and strategy, especially doubles. It’s not about hitting the ball, it’s about working together and knowing when to act. Once you’re clear on the basic rules, you can focus on having fun and getting better at the game.

6 Basic Rules To Start Playing Padel

Just like other games, there are rules you should know to make sure you’re not left scratching your head. It's helpful to know a few key rules to keep the game smooth and fun. These aren’t hard to remember, but understanding them will help you play with more confidence. Here are the top 6 basic rules to get you started.

1. Underhand/Underarm Serve Only

Standing behind the service line, the serve must be underhand or underarm, with the ball hitting the ground before you strike it. You must serve it underhand or underarm. If you land the ball in the service box and then it bounces and hits the fence first, point is out. If it hits the glass wall, the point starts and the rally begins.

2. Padel Scoring Follows Tennis Format

Padel is played in points, games, and sets. The point system follows this order:

0 (called "love" in tennis)
15
30
40
Game (if you win the point after 40)

When the score reaches 40-40 (called "deuce"), a player or team needs to win two consecutive points to win the game. The first point after deuce is called “advantage”, and if they win the next point, they win the game.

A game is won when one team wins four points with a two-point lead. For example, if the score is 40-30, the next point would win the game. If it’s 40-40, one team must win two consecutive points to win the game.
A set is won when a team wins six games, but they must lead by at least two games. So, if the score is 6-5, the team needs to win the next game to win the set. If the score reaches 6-6, a tiebreaker is usually played to decide the winner.

In a tiebreaker, players alternate serves every two points. The first team to score 7 points (with a two-point lead) wins the tiebreaker and the set. If the tiebreak score is tied at 6-6, the game continues until one team leads by two points. Padel matches are typically played as the best of 3 sets. The first team to win two sets wins the match.

3. The Double Bounce Rule

The Double Bounce Rule in padel means that the ball can only bounce once on your side of the court. If the ball bounces twice before you return it, you lose the point. However, you can let the ball bounce off the walls after the first bounce, as long as it stays within the court.

4. Ball Can Bounce Off the Walls

In padel, after the ball bounces on your side of the court, it can bounce off the walls and you can still play it. As long as the ball hits the ground first and then contacts the glass wall, it’s fair game. Just remember, if the ball goes out of the court or hits the fence without bouncing, it’s considered out.

5. Padel is a Doubles Game

Padel is almost always played as a doubles game, meaning two players on each team. The smaller court and use of walls make it a more strategic, team-oriented game than singles. Good communication and teamwork are key to winning, as both players need to cover different areas of the court.

6. Hands Through The Loop

Yes, that’s correct! In padel, it’s recommended to put your hand inside the safety loop (wrist loop) of the racket handle. This isn’t an official rule but more of a safety guideline and good practice. Here’s why it matters:

Safety First: The loop prevents the racket from flying out of your hand during intense rallies, protecting both you and your opponent from potential injury.
Better Grip: The wrist strap helps maintain control of the racket, especially when you need to make quick, reactive shots.
Comfort and Stability: It gives extra support to your wrist, making it easier to handle the racket during long games or when playing powerful shots.

While it’s not strictly enforced as an official rule, wearing the wrist loop is a standard practice and shows respect for the sport’s etiquette and the safety of everyone on the court.

For an extra boost of confidence, try the Golden Padel Racket, designed with one layer of glass fibre, one layer of carbon and one layer of 18K carbon fibre surface for durability and an 100% carbon fibre frame for lightweight strength. Its super soft EVA core offers excellent shock absorption, so you can play longer without discomfort. Slip on the wrist loop, grab your Golden Padel Racket, and you’ll be in shock that it will elevate your game.

Needless to say, these key rules give you a solid foundation for enjoying the game. You are now ready to hit the court and swing that padel racket.

More Padel Game Rules To Obey

You’re well on your way to jumping into a game. But here’s the thing, there are more specific rules that can really help you get a deeper understanding of the game. These aren’t just for knowing what’s allowed or not, they’ll actually help you refine your skills and play with more strategy.

As you get comfortable with the basics, diving into these details will not only make you a better player but also help you love the game even more and get familiar with it. Trust me, the more you learn, the more fun it gets!
Get a dive deeper and see the other rules of the game in action. Check out this great video by The Padel School on YouTube, they break it down in a super helpful way!

Conclusion:

You’ve got the basics down, and that’s a great start! Now, you’re ready to hit the court with more confidence and enjoy your first games. Keep practicing, explore the finer details as you go, and remember, padel is all about having fun and working as a team. So, grab your racket, find a partner, and get out there!

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