Padel is a fast, social sport that is easy to learn and enjoyable from the very first session. Usually played in doubles, it combines elements of tennis and squash, with one major difference: the walls are part of the game. That is what makes padel dynamic, tactical, and beginner-friendly.
The Rules
Padel is played on an enclosed court and the objective is simple: win points by hitting the ball over the net and into your opponent’s side in a way they cannot return. Africa Padel describes the regulation court as 20m x 10m, with walls and fencing that affect play.
Some of the main rules are:
- Padel is usually played in doubles.
- The ball must bounce before hitting the opponent’s glass. If it goes straight into the glass, it is out.
- During rallies, players can:
- volley the ball, except on the serve
- let the ball bounce and then play it after it comes off the glass
- use their own glass wall to return the ball
- A team loses the point if:
- the ball bounces twice
- the ball hits a player or teammate
- the ball hits the wire fencing or another fixture before going legally into the opponent’s court
These rules are what make padel different from tennis. The game is not only about power. It is also about control, positioning, teamwork, and learning how to use the walls effectively.
The Score
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis, which makes it easy to follow once you know the basics. Africa Padel explains that matches are typically played as best of 3 sets, with points counted in the standard tennis format.
The score works like this:
- 0
- 15
- 30
- 40
- Game
A few important things to know:
- You usually need to win 6 games to win a set
- If the set reaches 5–5, play continues until one team reaches 7 games
- If the set reaches 6–6, it is decided by a tie-break
- A tie-break is usually played to 7 points
- In both games and tie-breaks, a team must win by 2 points
Because of the walls and longer rallies, points are often won through patience, teamwork, and smart shot placement rather than pure power.
Once you understand the basic rules and scoring, the best way to learn padel is simply to get on court and play. At Padel SL, we are excited to help more people in Somaliland discover a sport that is social, active, and fun to learn.
