How Do You Score a Point in Padel? (and Other Common Rules)
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis. Here are some of the finer points of the Padel scoring system.
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis. A game is scored exactly the same as in tennis: 15/0, 30/0, 40/0, deuce, advantage, etc. In the World Padel Tour system, when the game is in deuce, the winner is decided using a "golden point."
Players compete in six games to win a set, and a match comprises the best of 3 sets. A set of 6-6 games triggers a tie-break of 7 points.
When the ball is in play, all balls that cross the net must then bounce on the ground on the opponent’s side before hitting a glass or the wall. To score a point in padel, one of the following situations must occur:
- The opponent’s ball hits the net or another part of the court (wall, fence, spotlights, etc.) without the ball having previously bounced in the opponent’s court
- The ball bounces twice in the opponent’s side of the court
- The ball hits an opponent’s body directly
- The ball bounces in the opponent’s side of the court and goes out of bounds
- Accidentally or voluntarily, a player touches the ball more than once with the racket
The rules of padel are different from the rules of tennis, so here you’ll find some of the most common rules in padel.
- The first rule is that the ball can be hit by any player in any area of the court (The ball can touch the sides of the court, the glass of the court, and it can bounce and leave the court and then re-enter.
- Each point starts with a serve. The serve must always occur after a bounce and below the waist. As in tennis, the served ball must cross to the opponent’s square, and players serve twice. The opponent can’t hit a volley when receiving a serve because the ball must bounce first.
- The serve can touch the glass after the bounce, but not the side fence. Once the point begins, the ball can touch the fence. This is the only situation where the ball touching the fence after bouncing is considered “out”
- As in tennis, you can only hit the ball once, and volleys are allowed as long as you don’t invade the opponent’s side of the court.
- The ball can bounce off walls, but only after a first bounce
- The glass wall or other kind of wall can be used to return a ball but not the fence (for example, you hit the ball, then it bounces on the back wall of your side and lands on the opponent's side)
- The players have to switch sides when the sum of games is odd (ex: 2-1, 3-2)
Now you know how to score a point in padel, so it’s time to hit the court and show that you know the most common rules as well. Good luck!