Padel is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most popular racket sports, and for good reason. It blends the fast-paced rallies of tennis with the tactical angles of squash, all played on a compact court surrounded by glass walls. Whether you’re new to the sport or looking to understand it more deeply, this guide breaks down exactly what padel is, how it works, and the official rules that shape the game.

What Exactly Is Padel?

Padel is a doubles-based racket sport that originated in Mexico and spread rapidly through Spain, Europe, and now worldwide.

Key Features of Padel

• Played on a 20m x 10m enclosed court
• Surrounded by glass and metal mesh walls
• Uses a solid, perforated racket (not a stringed tennis racket)
• Played with a pressurised padel ball similar but not identical to a tennis ball
• Typically played in pairs (doubles)

What makes padel unique is its combination of simplicity and depth. Beginners can have fun immediately, while advanced players use complex tactics involving the walls, spin, positioning, and timing.

Rules of Padel

1. Scoring System

Padel uses tennis-style scoring:
0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → Game
But here’s the deeper breakdown:

Games

To win a game, a pair must have at least 4 points, and a 2-point advantage

Example:

Score: 40–40 = Deuce
From here:

• One point = Advantage
• Win the next point = Game
• Lose the next point = back to Deuce
• This can repeat several times, creating intense rallies.

Sets

A set is won by reaching 6 games with at least 2-game advantage (6–4, 7–5 etc.)

If the score reaches 6–6, players play a tie-break.

Tie-Break 

A tie-break is played to 7 points, but again, you must win by 2 points (e.g., 7–5, 8–6, 10–8)

Tie-break scoring goes:
0, 1, 2, 3, … (not 15–30–40)

The winner of the tie-break wins the set 7–6.

2. The Serve (Underarm Only)

Serving rules are specific and important:

• The server must stand behind the service line.
• The ball must bounce once behind the line before being hit.
• The serve is hit underarm, with the point of contact below waist height.
• The serve must land diagonally in the opponent's service box.
• After bouncing in the service box, the ball may hit the glass wall — but not the metal fence; if it does, it’s a fault.

Two serves are allowed, just like in tennis.

3. Using the Walls

One of the biggest differences between tennis and padel is the use of glass walls.

On the receiving side:

After the ball bounces on the ground, it can hit:

• Back glass
• Side glass
• A combination of both

It’s still considered in play.

On the hitting side:

You may hit the ball against your own 

glass walls to get it back over the net: a tactical move known as a bandeja.

However:

• If the ball hits your wall before hitting the ground, it’s a point for your opponent.

4. Ball in Play

A ball is playable if:

• It bounces on the court surface once
• Then may hit the walls
• And returns to the playable area

A point ends when:

• Ball bounces twice
• Ball hits the wall before bouncing
• Ball hits the metal mesh on the serve
• Racket or body touches the net
• A player hits the ball into the wall on their side before the ground
  

 

Why Padel Is So Addictive (for Both Beginners and Pros)

 

✔ Long rallies and constant action

The walls keep the ball in play longer, making padel dynamic and thrilling.

✔ Easy to learn in 10 minutes

You don’t need powerful strokes: placement and control matter more.

✔ Low physical impact

Great for players of all ages.

✔ Technical depth

Movement patterns, wall strategies, spin, timing, and teamwork create endless room for improvement.

✔ Highly social sport

Because it’s doubles-only, padel builds community and connection.

Ready to Try It?

Once you step onto the court, you’ll understand why millions of players worldwide are hooked. Grab a racket, call a friend, and get ready. Your new favourite sport is waiting.