Padel, sometimes called paddle or padel tennis, is an exciting racquet sport. It mixes parts of tennis and squash, making it fun for players of all ages and skill levels. When you start playing padel, it's essential to understand the fundamental concepts that shape the game

The rules of padel are made to ensure fair play and improve the player's experience. This article will explain everything you need to know about this popular sport!

A padel court is a closed area surrounded by walls, which players can use to hit the ball, just like in squash. The court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, with a net in the middle that is 88 centimeters high. The net divides the court into two sides, and each side has 

. A special part of padel court rules is that players can use the walls to make smart shots that can surprise their opponents.

When starting a match, the serving player must hit the ball over the net so it lands inside the opponent’s court. If the ball hits the net on a serve but lands in the right box, it's good, and the game continues. But if the ball doesn’t clear the net or lands outside the opposite diagonal side, it’s a fault.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into the padel serve rules. A strong start can put pressure on your opponent and help you take control of the game. When you learn the basics and use the right technique, you'll play better, feel more confident, and have a lot more fun on the court.

The game begins with an underarm serve from the right side, hitting the ball in diagonal into the opponent's court, just like in tennis. The server has to let the ball bounce once before hitting it, and it should be struck at or below waist level. When serving, make sure your feet don’t touch or cross the line in front of you.

: The ball must land in the opponent’s service box. If it bounces in the box and hits the side or back wall, it’s still a good serve, and the opponent must return it. If the ball hits the net but lands in the box and then hits the side or back wall, it’s called a let, and you need to serve again.

: If the ball lands in the service box and hits the wire fencing, it’s considered a fault. The same happens if the ball hits the net, lands in the box, and then touches the wire fencing.

Just like in tennis, if your first serve is a fault, you get a second chance to serve. If the second serve also fails, the point is for the opposing team.

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis, which makes it easier to learn. A match is usually played in the best of three sets. To win a set, a team must be the first to reach six games, with at least a two-game lead.

simple point system: 15, 30, 40, and then game point.

 If both teams reach 40-40, it’s called deuce, and one team must win two points in a row to take the game.

The padel double hit rule says that a player cannot hit the ball twice with one swing, whether on purpose or by mistake. This is not allowed, and the other team wins the point.

. To win the tie break, a team must reach 7 points, but they must be ahead by at least 2 points. If the score is close, like 7-6, the game continues until one team has a two-point lead, such as 8-6 or 9-7.

Serving in a tie break is different from a regular game. The player who served last starts the tie break with one serve from the right side. After that, teams switch servers every two points. Tie breaks can get intense since every point counts, but that’s what makes the game even more exciting.

The golden point is a special rule in padel used when the score reaches 40-40 (deuce). Instead of playing extra points, the next rally decides the game. This rule keeps matches fast and adds excitement, as one point can make all the difference.

Now that you know the basics of padel, including the rules, serving, and scoring it’s time to take that knowledge to the court. Padel is all about fun, teamwork, and improving together, so grab a friend and get started. Use Playtomic to book your court, and let the games begin!

Basic padel rules for beginners

Ready to learn the basic padel rules? Our beginner's guide covers everything from serving to scoring, and the different interactions. Discover the essentials and start playing!

A padel coach demonstrates padel rules for beginners to a woman on a blue padel court, holding a racket and ball.

Padel and pickleball are two of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world. Both are fun, social, and easy to pick up, but they have distinct differences in rules, equipment, and playing styles. If you’ve ever wondered, 

The two sports are similar in some ways, but each offers a completely different experience.

In this article, we’ll go over the main differences between padel and pickleball, like the court size, rackets, and balls.

 Plus, we’ll explore their popularity worldwide and help you decide which one is the best fit for you!

One of the most common questions new players ask is, 

 The short answer is no. While both sports are played on a smaller court than traditional tennis, they differ in several ways.

 are 20m x 10m (66ft x 33ft) and are surrounded by glass walls and metal fencing.

, allowing players to use them strategically.

 are smaller, measuring 13.4m x 6.1m (44ft x 20ft), roughly the same size as a badminton court. Unlike padel, pickleball courts don’t have walls, so players have to focus entirely on shot placement and positioning.

To sum up, padel courts are almost twice the size and have a more dynamic style of play with rebounds off the walls.

Another major difference is in the padel vs pickleball racket design:

 are solid with no strings, typically made of carbon fiber or fiberglass. They’re designed with holes to reduce air drag, giving you more power and spin.

 are also solid and stringless, but they are flat with no holes. They’re usually made of composite materials or graphite, built more for control and precision than for power.

The balls used also have distinct differences:

 look almost identical to tennis balls but are slightly smaller and less pressurized to suit the padel court’s size and surface.

 are made of hard plastic with holes, similar to a wiffle ball. They bounce lower and move slower than padel balls.

Both sports are growing fast but in different regions, depending on things like access, local culture and facilities.

Padel is booming in Europe and Latin America, with Spain, Argentina, and Sweden leading the charge. The sport is also gaining traction in the U.S. and the Middle East.

Pickleball is very popular in North America, especially in the United States and Canada.

Now that we’ve compared the 2 sports, which one should you play? Here’s a quick guide:

So, are padel and pickleball the same thing? Definitely not! While they share some similarities, each has its own unique appeal. Padel offers a 

dynamic, high-energy experience with wall play

 focused on placement. In the end, both sports offer fantastic fun, social interaction, and a great workout. No matter which one you pick, both are incredible ways to stay active and be part of a community. Try them both and see which one you love more!

Padel vs pickleball: what is the difference?

Explore the world of racket sports! Discover the differences between padel vs pickleball, including court sizes, equipment, and rules, to find your ideal game.

A split image shows people playing padel on a blue court and others playing pickleball on a blue court, illustrating the difference of padel vs pickleball.

Padel, also called “padel tennis”, is a rapidly growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is fun, social, and easy to learn. That’s why both beginners and experienced players love it. But what is padel sport? Let’s dive into its origins, explore its popularity, and offer some helpful beginner’s tips to get started.

Let’s learn some padel history! Its journey began in Mexico in the late 1960s. It quickly went from a backyard game to a sport known around the world. The game is simple and social, which helped it gain popularity in many countries. It is especially popular in Spain.

. He built the first court at his home in Acapulco, Mexico, combining tennis and squash elements. Corcuera’s new way of playing started the sport we know today. Over time, it grew thanks to passionate players and the creation of official rules and organizations.

The main difference between padel and tennis lies in the court and the way the ball is played. Padel is played on a smaller court surrounded by walls, which allow the ball to bounce off them, adding a unique twist to the game. Unlike tennis, where players use rackets with strings, padel rackets are solid and have holes. This makes it easier to control the ball.

Another big difference is the serve. In padel, serves are underhand and must bounce in the service box, whereas tennis serves are typically overhand. These distinctions create a more social, accessible experience, making it a perfect option for beginners.

It offers an easy learning curve, requires less physical strain than tennis, and can be played indoors or outdoors. The social nature of the game, typically played in doubles, encourages interaction and fun. Additionally, padel courts take up less space than tennis courts, making them more accessible in urban areas.

You can find more about the basic padel rules in this article, but here's a quick overview:

If you’re new to the sport, here are some beginner tips to help you get started:

Now that you know all about padel, it’s time to hit the court! Whether you're a total beginner or have played other racket sports, you’ll have fun. And don’t forget, Playtomic is the perfect app to find a court near you, book a class, or meet new people to play with. Start today!

What is padel as a sport? History, origins, and tips

Curious about padel's popularity? Dive into this dynamic racket sport, combining tennis and squash, and accessible to everyone. Start your padel journey with these easy tips.

Two people with padel rackets play a ball on a blue padel court, demonstrating what is padel sport.

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Lorena Cordero is a graphic designer and social media specialist with a true love for racket sports, especially padel and tennis. She blends 

 in everything she does, whether she’s crafting striking visuals or stepping onto the court with a smile and a racket.

plays regularly, always eager to learn and improve

 with every session. When she’s not on the court, you’ll find her exploring nature with her four dogs, enjoying long walks and chasing sunsets. Lorena also loves board games, especially strategy and role-playing games, where she enjoys exploring new worlds and tactics.

Lorena brings a focused energy to everything she does, channeling her creativity into her work and improving her game on the court. Her 

 makes her a motivating presence for anyone who needs tips on how to start playing.

From Madrid to the court, Lorena Cordero blends design, social media, and a deep love for padel and tennis into everything she does.