The Ultimate Guide to Padel Rules and Scoring

If you're new to padel, the rules and scoring system might seem a little confusing at first. But don’t worry — it’s simpler than it looks. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics so you can step onto the court in Cairo with confidence.

Court Layout and Basics

Padel is typically played in doubles on a court enclosed by glass and metal mesh walls. The court is smaller than a tennis court and includes service boxes like squash.

• Team Size: 2 vs 2 (doubles)
• Court Size: 10 x 20 meters
• Walls: Balls can bounce off glass walls after the first bounce

Serving Rules

• The serve is underhand and must be bounced behind the service line before hitting it.
• The ball must land diagonally across in the opponent’s service box.
• You get two attempts to serve, just like in tennis.
• The ball can touch the glass after landing in the service box but not the metal fence.

Tip: Keep your serve low and controlled — it's not about power.

Scoring System

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

• 0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → Game
• If both teams reach 40:40, it's Deuce
• You need to win by 2 points after Deuce
• A set is won by the first team to win 6 games with a 2-game margin
• Matches are usually played as best of 3 sets

Example Score: 6-4, 3-6, 6-2

Ball in or Out?

• The ball must bounce once on your side before you return it (unless it's a volley).
• It can hit the walls after the bounce, and you can return it.
• If the ball bounces twice, hits the net, or goes outside the court walls (without hitting the ground inside first), it’s out.

Faults and Let Serves

A serve is a fault if:

• The ball hits the net and lands outside the service box
• The ball goes directly into the fence
• You step over the service line before hitting the ball

A let occurs if:

• The ball hits the net and still lands correctly in the service box
• In this case, the point is replayed

Unique Padel Shots

• Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces. Can be done at the net.
• Bandeja: A soft smash with control, often used to counter lobs.
• Lob: Hitting the ball high to push your opponents back from the net.

Tip: Mix your shots to keep your opponents guessing.

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand the basic rules and scoring of padel, you're ready to enjoy the game and compete with confidence. Remember — it's a social, strategic sport that's all about positioning, teamwork, and control.

Ready to play padel like a pro? Join a rules-friendly session at 88 Padel Academy — Cairo’s home for passionate padel players!