How to play Padel

Padel

2 to 4 players

Padel is a racket game played on an enclosed court with glass walls, almost always as doubles: 4 players, two teams. It scores like tennis, but the ball stays in play off the walls, so rallies run longer and are more fun. Easy to learn in an hour, hard to master in a year.

How to play

1 Players 4 in doubles, which is the standard game, or 2 in singles. Courts are booked by the hour, so a fourth who does not show costs everyone. 1

2 Gear A perforated stringless padel racket and a ball like a tennis ball with less pressure. The court is 10 by 20 metres, with a net in the middle and glass and mesh walls around. 2

3 Serving Underhand, after one bounce on the floor. It goes diagonally into the opposite service box, and you get two attempts like tennis. 3

4 Play The ball must bounce once on the floor before it hits a wall. After that you can play it off the wall, or take it in the air. Two bounces on the floor and the point is gone. 4

5 Scoring 15, 30, 40, game. At 40 all it is a golden point or advantage, as agreed. Six games with a two-game margin win the set. 5

6 Winning Best of three sets, so the first team to two. For a casual booking one set is plenty and everyone goes home happy. 6

Tips

Move with your partner

Go up and back together, as if there were a rope between you.

The net is the strong spot

The team at the net controls the point, so take it when you can.

Let the wall work

Instead of rushing the ball, let it come off the wall and take your time.

The lob is your friend

A high ball over your opponents pushes them back and gives you the net.

Variants and other names

Golden point

At 40 all, one point decides the game, and the receiving team picks who receives.

Americano

A session for 8 or more players, where partners rotate every round and each player keeps their own score.

Questions

How many players does padel need?

Usually 4, in two teams. Missing a fourth for your booked court? Kemlet finds you a player nearby.

What's the difference between padel and tennis?

Padel has a smaller, walled court, an underhand serve and a stringless racket. The ball stays in play off the walls.

Can I play padel if I've never played tennis?

Yes. Padel is one of the easiest racket games to start, and you learn the basics in an hour.

How long does a padel match take?

Courts are usually booked for an hour or an hour and a half, enough for one or two sets.

What is a golden point?

Instead of advantage at 40 all, one point is played and whoever wins it takes the game.