How to Play Padel
It’s no news that padel is one of the most popular sports right now. If Lionel Messi has a padel court in his back yard, it must be fun right?
Table of Contents
About Padel
Padel is a racquet sport invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera of Mexico. It combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton with the rules broadly the same as tennis though the walls are used as part of the game and the ball is allowed to bounce off them like with squash.
It is now played by more than 20 million players in 57 countries across 5 continents. With more than 35 000 Padel courts worldwide as compared to 5 000 in 2007, it is regarded as the fastest growing sport in the world.
It is now played by more than 20 million players in 57 countries across 5 continents. With more than 35 000 Padel courts worldwide as compared to 5 000 in 2007, it is regarded as the fastest growing sport in the world.
Object of the Game
The object of Padel is to win two out of the three sets that constitute a match. In doing so, each pairing must work as a team to outplay the opposition paring. Because the court is much smaller than in tennis and is enclosed, players are close together so need to develop a good understanding if they are to be successful and it is also important to be fit too.
The pace of the game demands an awful lot from players which means that fitness should be at a premium to be a successful Padel pair.
Players and Equipment
Padel is played on an enclosed court that is just over a third of the size of a tennis court and has a playing surface of 20m x 10m. Like a tennis court it is divided in the middle by a net but unlike tennis the court is surrounded by walls, which can be utilised by players during the game of Padel.
The surface of the court can be made from a variety of materials, including cement, synthetic materials or artificial grass. The FIP also stipulates that the playing surface of a Padel court should be terracotta, blue or green.
The rackets used in Padel differ substantially from tennis rackets. Padel rackets are made from composite materials with a perforated surface that is ergonomically designed to allow for airflow. The face measures 26cm x 29cm and the overall length of the racket is 45cm. Because the racket is much shorter than a tennis racquet, it is much easier to control.
Scoring
Scoring in Padel is exactly the same as in tennis. That means the points go up as follows: 15, 30, 40 and game.
Should there be a tie on 40 – 40 then this is called deuce and the winner is the first player to lead by two clear points.
Games of Padel are played as the best of three sets, each of which consist of six games.
How to win
To win a set, a pairing should win six games with two clear games. If the score gets to 6-6, a tiebreak is played in which the winner is the first side to get to seven points with two clear points.
If the game continues to be tied, then another tiebreak is played in which the first side to have a two game lead is declared the winner.
The first pair to win two sets is declared the winner.
The Rules of Padel
- Padel matches should be played on a regulation Padel court that is 20m x 10m and is blue, green or terracotta
- Padel games shall be played between two pairs of players using regulation Padel racquets
- Before a match, a coin is tossed. The winner gets to choose whether to serve first or which end of the court to start on
- Each match begins with a serve, which must be done underarm but like tennis must go diagonally into the opponent's court
- Both teams must attempt to score more points than their opponents
- The opposition wins a point when ball bounces twice, it hits you or your teammate or hits the wire fencing
- Matches are made up of 3 sets, with each set made up of six games. The winners of two out of the three sets will be declared winners of the Padel match