How is padel played? Rules, court, and gameplay explained simply
Padel tennisis booming worldwide – and in Germany, too, more and more people are discovering this action-packed racket sport. But how exactly does padel work? In this article, we'll explain step by step how padel is played, how the court is set up, how the score is scored, and the differences between singles and doubles in padel.
What is Padel? In brief
Padel is a hybrid of tennis and squash. It is played on a smaller court surrounded by glass and mesh walls. The walls can be actively involved in the game. It is usually played in doubles, with special padel rackets (without strings) and reduced-pressure balls.
Layout of the padel court
An official padel courtis 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, surrounded by glass and metal walls. The center line divides the court into two halves. There is also a service line and two service courts on each side.
Key features:
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Net in the middle (max. 88 cm high)
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Side walls: combination of glass (rear) and mesh (sides)
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Floor mostly made of artificial turf with quartz sand
Playing style: How Padel works
The serve
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The ball must be hit underhandand, after bouncing once,diagonally into the opponent's service court.
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Two attempts at hitting are allowed, like in tennis.
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The serve may touch the side wall after impact in the court, but not the back wall directly.
The rally
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The ball may bounce once on the floorand then touch the wall.
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The ball may be played directly from the air (volley), except when returning after the serve.
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The walls may be used tactically – even after your own hit.
Point system in padel
The scoring is like in tennis:
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0 = Love, 15, 30, 40, Game
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If the score is 40:40, the advantage applies (no-ad rule possible)
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Matches usually go to 2 sets, with a tiebreak at 6:6
Doubles vs. Singles: Padel Game Modes
Double (standard form):
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2 against 2 players
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Better military game
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All official tournaments are played in doubles
Individually (less common):
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Played on a smaller field (20 x 6 meters)
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Ideal for technical training or games with a few people
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Still not widespread, but increasingly in demand
What you need to play padel
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Padel racket:Compact, mostly made of carbon or fiberglass
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Padel balls:Slightly reduced pressure, for slower play
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Padel clothing:Functional, stylish & breathable – e.g. our community bestsellers
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Padel shoes:Stable, with a non-slip sole for artificial turf & sand
Conclusion: Playing padel is easy to learn, difficult to master
Anyone who wants to learn to play padeldoesn't need any previous experience. The game principle is simple, the fun comes quickly – and with the right clothing from us , you'll not only feel comfortable but also look good. WIN-WIN.