Explains the official padel rules for new and improving players

For beginners and improving players, here's a detailed explanation of the official padel rules:

I. Court and Equipment

Court Specifications:

The court is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, enclosed by glass walls (maximum 4 meters, minimum 3 meters) and a metal mesh.

The court is divided in the center by a net, which is 0.88 meters high at the center (±0.5 cm tolerance) and 0.92 meters high at each end (±0.5 cm tolerance).

Equipment Requirements:

Racket: Made of a base, sponge, and rubber. The racket face is larger than a table tennis racket, with a rubber surface area not exceeding 450 square centimeters. The handle is longer and the total weight does not exceed 380 grams.

Ball: Made of the same material as a tennis ball, but with lower air pressure, weighs between 28 and 30 grams and is typically yellow-green in color.

II. Competition Format and Scoring

Competition Format:

Padel is usually played in doubles, but singles matches are also available.

Games are played in an 11-point system, with each set played to the best of five. There are also variations using the tennis scoring system (15, 30, or 40), but the 11-point system is more common.

Scoring Rules:

Each point won is worth 1 point.

The first player to reach 11 points and be at least 2 points ahead of their opponent wins the set.

If the score reaches 10-10, a 2-point lead is required to win.

The first player to win 3 games wins the match.

III. Serving Rules

Serving Method:

The serve must be an underhand touch serve, meaning the server must stand outside the baseline and hit the ball below the waist.

When serving, the ball must first bounce once on their court before passing over the net and landing in the opponent's valid serving area.

Serving Order and Exchanges:

Serving rights are exchanged every 2 points.

After the first game of each set, the players exchange courts, and thereafter every two games.

IV. Hitting and Returning Rules

Hitting Method:

A player may hit the ball after it has landed once, or intercept and hit it before it lands. The ball can only bounce once in your court. If it lands twice before being returned, it is considered a fault.

Return Rules:

The ball hit to the opponent must land in the opponent's effective area (not outside the court or in the restricted area).

If the opponent hits the ball before it lands, there is no need to determine the landing position.

The ball may bounce off the glass wall and return to the court to continue play, but it can only bounce once.

Net Touch and Out of Bounds:

If a player touches the net with their body or racket while the ball is still in play, their team loses a point.

If a player's foot passes under the net without touching it, it is considered a foul, and the opponent scores 1 point.

V. Special Rules and Notes

Tie and Decisive Game:

In a game, if both players have 3 points each, it is considered a "tie." At this point, one player must have 2 more points than the other to win the game.

If the game is played using the tennis scoring system and the game is tied at 6 points, the "rematch 9" method can be used to determine the winner. This means that either player wins 5 more points. Player Conduct:

Players must respect the referee and their opponents and observe match etiquette.

Players must not intentionally interfere with their opponents or engage in unethical behavior.

Field and Equipment Inspection:

Before a match, the referee will inspect the field and equipment to ensure they meet the rules.

Any violations will be promptly corrected to ensure fair play.