Padel 101: Rules and Scoring Explained Simply
Learn the basic rules of padel, how scoring works, and what makes it different from tennis.
Padel rules are simpler than tennis but have unique quirks that confuse newcomers. This guide explains everything you need to know before stepping on a USA padel court for the first time.
The Basic Setup
Padel is always played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly 1/3 the size of a tennis court. The walls and fences are part of the game - balls can bounce off them and remain in play.
Serving Rules
Serves in padel are underhand and must bounce before hitting. The serve must land diagonally in the opponent's service box, similar to tennis.
- Underhand serve only
- Ball must bounce before serving
- Must hit below waist height
- Diagonal service box
- Two serves allowed like tennis
Playing Off the Walls
This is what makes padel unique - you can play balls off your own walls after they bounce. You cannot hit walls on the opponent's side directly. The ball can bounce off your walls then go over the net as long as it bounces on your side first.
Scoring System
Padel uses the same scoring as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. You play sets to 6 games with a tiebreak at 6-6. Most casual USA play is best of 3 sets.
Common Faults
Understanding what ends a point helps you play properly from day one.
- Ball bounces twice on your side
- You hit the net
- Ball hits the fence before bouncing
- You touch the net with your racket or body
- Ball goes out without bouncing on the opponent's side
Final Thoughts
The rules are straightforward once you play a few times. The wall play adds strategy you won't find in tennis, making padel more about positioning and angles than raw power. Jump into a beginner session at your local USA club to see these rules in action.
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