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Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Ireland and across Europe. Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or brushing up on the basics, understanding the rules is key to enjoying the game. At LovePadel.ie, we want to make padel simple, fun, and accessible for everyone. Here are the Top 15 Rules you need to know before stepping onto the court: 1. Scoring System Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. A set is won when a pair reaches six games with at least a two-game lead. If the score reaches 6–6, a tie-break is played. Matches are usually best of three sets. 2. Serving Rules The serve must be underhand, struck at or below waist height. The server must bounce the ball behind the service line before hitting it diagonally into the opponent’s service box. Each player gets two attempts—if both are faults, the point is lost. 3. Receiving the Serve The serve must bounce once in the receiver’s service box before being returned. The receiver is not allowed to volley the serve. 4. The Ball in Play Once the rally starts, the ball can bounce off the walls (back or side) and still be in play. The ball must always be returned before bouncing twice. Lines are considered “in.” 5. When the Ball Hits the Glass If the ball bounces in the court and then hits the glass wall, it remains in play. Players can return the ball after it comes off the glass. However, if the ball hits the glass directly without first bouncing in the opponent’s court, the point is lost. 6. When the Ball Hits the Fence If the ball bounces in the opponent’s court and then hits the metal fence, it is still valid. But if you hit the ball directly into the fence on the other side without it bouncing in the court first, you lose the point. 7. Losing a Point You lose a point if: The ball bounces twice before you hit it. You hit the ball into your own net, wall, or fence before crossing. You hit the ball directly outside the court (without bouncing in first). You or your racket touches the net. You cross into your opponent’s side of the court. 8. Correct Return A return is valid if the ball first bounces inside the opponent’s court—even if it later hits their walls or fence. You can also hit the ball off your own walls before it crosses the net, as long as it lands in. 9. Side Changes Players switch sides after the 1st, 3rd, and every odd game of the set. During a tie-break, sides change every six points. 10. Out-of-Court Play Some courts allow players to exit through the side doors to retrieve and return the ball. This is only permitted if the court meets official safety standards. 11. Time Rules Padel is designed to keep moving. Players have: 20 seconds between points 90 seconds on side changes 120 seconds between sets Delays beyond these limits may result in penalties. 12. Touching the Net Players are not allowed to touch the net, posts, or opponent’s side of the court while the ball is in play. Doing so means losing the point. 13. Double Hits A ball must be struck cleanly. If a player hits the ball twice in the same swing or both teammates hit the ball consecutively, the point is lost. However, if two players swing at once and only one racket makes contact, the point continues. 14. Serving Order Partners must decide who serves first at the start of each set, and the order cannot change until the set ends. The receiving pair also decides who receives first and must stick to that order for the set. 15. Conduct & Fair Play Respect and sportsmanship are at the heart of padel. Players must avoid racket abuse, ball abuse, offensive language, or unsportsmanlike behavior. Penalties escalate from a warning to point loss, and in serious cases, disqualification. Padel is easy to learn, social, and incredibly fun to play. By following these 15 rules, you’ll be ready to hit the court with confidence. At LovePadel.ie, we’re here to support your journey—whether it’s with the latest rackets, balls, or accessories, we’ve got everything you need to get started and improve your game. Link to the official regulations from the International Padel Federation Ready to put these rules into practice? Grab your gear from LovePadel.ie and book your next game!
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If you’ve recently stepped onto a padel court, you’ve probably noticed there are different racket shapes: Round, Tear Drop, and Diamond. Each one has its own personality, and choosing the right one can make a huge difference in how comfortable you feel and how much you can control the game. Let’s break it down together in a way that makes sense for every level of player. 1. Round Rackets – Control and Comfort for Beginners Shape: Circular, with a wide face.Sweet Spot: Large and centered, making it forgiving if you don’t always hit the ball perfectly.Weight Distribution: Evenly balanced, which means it feels lighter and easier to maneuver. Why it’s great for beginners:Round rackets are perfect for players who are just starting out. They prioritize control over power, allowing you to focus on developing solid technique and consistency. Because the sweet spot is big, mishits won’t punish you as much—your shots will still find their way over the net. Pros: Easy to handle, more control, very forgiving.Cons: Less raw power compared to other shapes. Popular round rackets: Wilson Pro Staff V2 Team Black RedNox EquationBabolat Counter Origin 2. Tear Drop Rackets – The Balanced All-Rounder Shape: Somewhere between round and diamond, with a slightly narrower head at the bottom and wider at the top.Sweet Spot: Medium-sized, positioned a little higher than a round racket.Weight Distribution: Slightly head-heavy, adding more punch without sacrificing too much control. Why it’s great for intermediates:If you’ve been playing for a while and want to step up your game, a tear drop racket is an excellent choice. It strikes a balance between control and power, giving you the versatility to both defend and attack. This makes it ideal for players who are still defining their style but want a racket that can grow with them. Pros: Good mix of power and control, versatile for both attacking and defensive play.Cons: Smaller sweet spot than round rackets, so it requires a bit more precision. Popular tear drop rackets: HEAD Evo SpeedTecnifibre Curva SoftStarvie Drax Pro Touch 3. Diamond Rackets – Power for Advanced Players Shape: Wider at the top, narrowing towards the handle, giving it a “diamond” profile.Sweet Spot: Smaller and positioned high up near the tip.Weight Distribution: Head-heavy, which generates a lot of power on smashes and volleys. Why it’s great for advanced players:Diamond rackets are for players who are confident in their timing and technique. Since the sweet spot is smaller and higher, you’ll need precise ball contact to get the best results. But when you do hit it right, you’ll unleash maximum power—perfect for aggressive players who like to dominate at the net. Pros: Explosive power, excellent for smashes and finishing points.Cons: Less forgiving, harder to control, tiring if you’re not used to the weight. Popular diamond rackets: HEAD Coello ProRoyal Padel FuryNox AT10 Attack 18k TL,DR: Matching Shape to Level Beginners: Stick with a Round racket for comfort, control, and forgiveness. Intermediates: Go for a Tear Drop to enjoy both power and control as your game develops. Advanced Players: The Diamond racket rewards precision with maximum power, but it demands skill and stamina. At the end of the day, the best racket is the one that suits your playing style and comfort level. Think of it like choosing the right pair of shoes: the fit matters more than the look. Try different shapes, see how they feel in your hand, and choose the one that makes you enjoy the game the most.
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Padel is more than just a sport—it’s a unique language, a mix of tactics, creativity, and cultural flavor.Whether you’re smashing winners on the court or just starting to watch matches, knowing the key terms (in English and Spanish) helps you understand strategy, improve faster, and enjoy the game even more. Below, you’ll find an original glossary of over 50 padel terms. From classic shots like the bandeja to modern favorites like the rulo smash, this list will help you speak the true language of padel. 📚 English–Spanish Padel Glossary Term Spanish Description Bajada Bajada Aggressive overhead shot hit downward after the ball rebounds high off the back glass. Bandeja Bandeja Defensive overhead shot hit with slice and less power to maintain control of the point. Víbora Víborá Attacking overhead shot with heavy side spin, usually cross-court. Smash Remate Powerful overhead shot to finish the point. Flat smash Remate plano Flat, direct smash for power. Topspin smash Remate liftado Smash with topspin to bounce high or exit the court. Rulo smash Remate rulo Topspin smash hit with an arcing, spinny trajectory to bounce and kick sideways, often used from the side of the court. Chiquita Chiquita Soft, low shot aimed at opponents’ feet to recover net position. Lob Globo High defensive shot to push opponents back. Volley Volea Shot hit before the ball bounces. Forehand volley Volea de derecha Volley on the forehand side. Backhand volley Volea de revés Volley on the backhand side. Wall return Salida de pared Playing the ball after it rebounds off the back or side glass. Own wall shot Contrapared Hitting the ball into your own glass wall to send it back over the net. Golden point Punto de oro Sudden-death point played at deuce to speed up the game. Drop shot Dejada Soft shot landing close to the net. Feint Amago Fake swing or shot to deceive opponents. Hook Gancho High overhead shot, often from backhand side. Double wall Doble pared Playing after the ball rebounds from two walls. Net cord Cinta Ball that touches the net and goes over. Glass wall Cristal Back or side glass wall of the court. Fence Rejilla / Malla Metal fence on the sides. Door Puerta Court door (sometimes used in trick shots). Back of court Fondo Defensive zone near the back glass. Net Red Net dividing the court. Down the line Paralela Shot along the sideline. Cross-court Cruzado Diagonal shot to the other side. Attack zone Zona de ataque Area close to the net. Defense zone Zona de defensa Area near the back glass. Service box Cuadro de saque Area where the serve must bounce. Center T T del saque T-shaped junction of service lines. Backhand Revés Shot on the non-dominant side. Forehand Derecha Shot on the dominant side. Backhand slice Revés cortado Backhand shot with slice spin. Net play Juego en la red Playing near the net. Play from the back Juego desde el fondo Defending or building points from the back. Come to the net Subir a la red Moving forward to attack. 🎾 Why Learn These Terms? 🧠 Understand tactics better – Knowing the difference between a bandeja and a víbora can transform your net game. 🗣️ Communicate with partners – Use the correct Spanish terms and you’ll sound like a local on court. 📺 Enjoy watching padel – Recognize shots, strategies, and commentary more easily. Whether you’re starting out or already competing, this glossary helps you play smarter and enjoy padel even more.
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