Paddle tennis is an exciting and dynamic sport that combines speed and strategy on a compact playing court. To fully enjoy this sport, it is essential to know the basic rules that govern the game. In this blog post, I will guide you through the essential rules of padel tennis so you can play with confidence and respect for the game.
1. Track dimensions:
The paddle tennis court has a rectangular shape and is surrounded by walls on all four sides. Standard court dimensions are 10 meters wide by 20 meters long, although these may vary slightly depending on local regulations.
2. Scoring system:
Padel is played in best-of-three sets, and each set is divided into games. To win a game, a team must score at least four points and have a lead of at least two points over the opposing team. Points are counted as follows: 15, 30, 40 and game. If both teams have 40 points, it is called “equals” or “deuce”, and one of the teams must win two consecutive points to win the game.
3. Service:
The serve in paddle tennis must be done from behind the serve line, which is in the middle of the court. The serve must hit the ball diagonally towards the opposing service box and must bounce first on the floor and then on the wall of the receiving box. The serve must be executed below the waist and without crossing the center line of the court.
4. Hits allowed:
During the game, several types of hits are allowed, including the volley (hitting the ball in the air before it hits the ground), the smash (powerful downward hit), the lob (high and deep hit), and the drive (side hit with effect). However, “cross drive” is not allowed for safety reasons, i.e. hitting the ball directly towards the opposite side wall without the ball bouncing off the front wall first.
5. Right to play the ball:
Players have the right to hit the ball as long as it does not interfere with the opposing team’s play. However, if a player hits the ball out of reach of the opposing team, he loses the right to continue playing the ball.
These are just some of the basic rules of paddle tennis that you should know before starting to play. It is important to familiarize yourself with all the rules of the game to enjoy a fair and fun experience on the court. So grab your racket and start enjoying the exciting world of padel!
