VOLUNTEERS
The service
In Padel, the ball is put into play with a spoon on two attempts (first ball and second ball). The server must bounce the ball behind the service line before hitting below the belt. He is always behind the service line when he puts the ball into play.
Its aim is to bounce the ball into the service box on the diagonal. After crossing the net, a ball that first touches a surface other than the ground is considered a foul. If it bounces back into the court and touches the fence before crossing the service line (on the receiver’s side), it is also a fault. If the ball hits the net and bounces back into the square, it is let. If she touches the fence before the second bounce, she is fouled.
Player positions
The server must be behind the baseline, to the left or right of the centre line, depending on the score.
The receiver can position himself anywhere on the court, as long as he is in the server’s diagonal. Partners can position themselves anywhere in their camp.
Exchanges and rebounds
A ball may be volleyed, with the exception of the serve and return of serve. It can only bounce once on the floor during an exchange, but it can be in contact with any other surface. The door handle, fences and walls are an integral part of the property. The second rebound on the ground results in the loss of the point.
If the ball has not bounced a second time on the ground, it may be retaken off the track. If the ball returns – after rebounding into the opponent’s court – without having been touched by an opponent, the point is won.
When a ball crosses the net, it must touch the ground of the opposing team before hitting a wall. Players can hit the ball after it bounces off a wall to send it back into the opponent’s half. Of course, as in tennis, the player hitting the ball is only allowed one touch.
Points
As in tennis, points are counted from 15 to 40. The advantage rule applies in tied games. Matches are played to the best of three sets (a pair must win two sets to win the match), with a tie-break at six-all in the third set.
Six games are required to win a set, and if both teams reach 6-6, a tie-break is played. The first duo to score seven points with a two-point margin wins the set. In the event of a tie at 6-6 or 7-6, the tie-break continues until one team takes a two-point lead.
Find out more about all the rules of Padel :
