Pádel looks like tennis’ cool younger cousin who moved into a glass-walled apartment and learned to bounce arguments off the walls. And then it invited you to play… without giving you the vocabulary.
If you’ve ever nodded confidently when someone said “deuce” or “service box” while your brain screamed “sir, this is a wall sport,” welcome. This glossary-style guide explains the core rules, scoring, common jargon, and starter gear—so you can stop guessing and start playing.
TL;DR
- Scoring is tennis-style: 15–30–40, then win by two points at deuce.
- Serve is underhand after a bounce, diagonally into the service box.
- Walls are legal after the bounce; the wire fence on serve is not your friend.
Padelio taisyklės, tik angliškai skamba baisiau
Pádel is mostly played 2 vs 2 on a 20 m x 10 m enclosed court with glass walls and wire fencing. The net sits in the middle, the ball is similar to tennis but slightly less bouncy, and the racket is a solid perforated “paddle” (no strings).
If you’re thinking “so it’s tennis + squash,” yes. If you’re thinking “so I can wing it,” no. Not unless you enjoy donating points.
Useful internal links for your future self:
- Padel rules page: https://uzjudek.lt/lt/sports/padel/rules/
- Find padel courts in Lithuania: https://uzjudek.lt/lt/sports/padel/lithuania-courts/
- Padel in Lithuania overview: https://uzjudek.lt/lt/sports/padel/lithuania/
- Browse padel events: https://uzjudek.lt/events/by-sport-padel
Scoring terms: because humans love unnecessary complexity
Let’s begin with the question every beginner asks: “Why not just count 1,2,3?” Great question. Nobody knows.
Point (taškas)
A point progresses like tennis:
- 0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → game
At 40–40, you get deuce (lygiosios). From there, you must win two points in a row.
In Lithuanian padel circles you’ll often hear:
- Advantage = “more” (daugiau) for the serving pair
- Disadvantage = “less” (mažiau) for the receiving pair
Game (geimas)
A game is won by the first pair to win four points with the required margin (two at deuce).
Set (setas)
A set is typically:
- First to 6 games with 2-game lead
- If 5–5: play to 7–5
- If 6–6: play a tie-break
Tie-break (taibreikas)
Tie-break is played to 7 points, but you must win by 2 points.
Match (rungtynės)
Matches are played best of:
- 2 sets or 3 sets (depends on tournament/format)
Comparison table: regular games vs tie-break scoring
| Situation | How you score | What you need to win |
|---|---|---|
| Regular game | 15–30–40 | 4 points total, win by 2 at deuce |
| Tie-break | 1–2–3… | 7 points, win by 2 |
Serve terms: the underhand reality check
In pádel, you don’t get to launch missiles like in tennis. The serve is underhand, hit below the waist, and only after the ball bounces on the ground.
Serve / Service (padavimas)
Key rules:
- Stand behind the service line.
- Bounce the ball.
- Hit it below waist height.
- Serve diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
The first serve starts from the right side; after each point, the server switches sides.
Service line (padavimo linija)
The line behind which the server must start. No running starts, no jumping—save your theatrics for TikTok.
Service box (padavimo zona)
The diagonal target area on the receiver’s side between the net and service line.
Fault (klaida / klaidingas padavimas)
A serve is a fault when:
- It lands outside the service box.
- It hits the wire fence directly on the serve.
Important nuance: after the serve lands correctly, it may bounce to the glass wall and that’s fine. Glass is civilised. Wire fence is chaos.
Two faults = point to opponents.
Serving pair & order (servuojanti pora)
- One player serves the entire game.
- Partners alternate who serves each game.
- In tie-break, serving rotates: first server serves 1 point, then each serves 2 points in sequence.
Return (priėmimas)
The receiving pair alternates returns. If the ball bounces twice on your side before you hit it, you lose the point. Simple. Cruel, but simple.
Rally terms: walls are legal, panic is optional
After the serve, you may hit:
- After one bounce on the floor
- Or as a volley (hit in the air)
And yes: the ball can rebound off your back/side glass walls after it bounces. That’s the entire point of the sport, besides socialising.
Stroke / Shot (smūgis)
A shot must be one continuous motion. No double hits. This is not badminton improv night.
Double bounce (du atšokimai)
If the ball bounces twice on your side before you return it, you lose the point.
Net (tinklas)
If you hit the ball into the net, you lose the point. Shocking.
Hitting the opponent (pataikymas į varžovą)
If the ball hits an opponent (or their equipment), the striker wins the point. Yes, you can technically win by body-shot. Should you? Let’s just say it’s a fast way to lose friends.
Typical ways to lose a point (beginner classics)
- Two bounces on your side
- Ball hits net
- Ball goes out
- Double hit
- Ball touches you after your hit
- Illegal serve / two faults
Court terms: your new glass-walled universe
Court (aikštelė)
Standard pádel court is 20 x 10 m, enclosed by glass and wire fence.
Switching ends (pusių keitimas)
Players switch sides after an odd number of games in a set. Tie-break switching happens too, usually without a nice long rest.
Time rules (typical):
- Max 20 seconds between points
- Up to 90 seconds at changeovers
Equipment terms: what you actually need (and what you don’t)
Let’s be honest: you can’t out-gear your way out of bad footwork. But the right basics help.
Racket / Paddle (raketė)
Unlike tennis:
- Solid face
- Perforated holes
- No strings
Beginner-friendly advice:
- Choose a softer racket to reduce discomfort.
- Consider weight and balance: heavier can give power; lighter is easier to control.
Ball (kamuoliukas)
Slightly smaller and with lower bounce than tennis balls.
Shoes and clothing (avalynė ir apranga)
- Non-slip court shoes
- Comfortable sportswear
- Optional but smart: basic injury-prevention supports if you’re prone to ankle drama
Ball change (kamuoliukų keitimas)
In formal play, balls are commonly changed after an odd number of games, but typically not at the start of a tie-break.
Comparison table: tennis vs pádel starter gear
| Item | Tennis | Pádel |
|---|---|---|
| Racket | Stringed | Solid perforated |
| Ball | Higher bounce | Lower bounce |
| Court | Open | Enclosed with glass + wire |
| Typical play | Singles or doubles | Mostly doubles |
Beginner strategy terms (the stuff that makes you look like you’ve played before)
You don’t need fancy words. You need fewer unforced errors.
Positioning (pozicijos)
- Server starts behind the service line.
- Receiver stands diagonally in the service box area.
- After serve/return, teams often move toward the net to control the point.
Wall use (sienų naudojimas)
The wall is not a problem; it’s a feature. Let the ball rebound, then hit it when it comes to you—especially when you’re late.
FAQs
Is pádel always played as doubles?
Almost always. Singles versions exist, but the standard game is 2 vs 2 on the full court.
Can the ball hit the glass wall on the serve?
Yes—after it lands in the correct service box, it may rebound off the glass. If it hits the wire fence directly on the serve, that’s typically a fault.
What happens at 40–40?
Deuce. You must win two consecutive points to take the game. Depending on local habits, you may hear “more” and “less” calls.
Can I volley the return of serve?
No. The return must be after the bounce.
How long is a match?
Usually best of 2 or 3 sets, depending on tournament rules.
Conclusion
Pádel isn’t complicated—people just explain it like they’re defending a PhD thesis in “Bouncing Balls Off Glass.” Once you nail the scoring, understand the underhand serve, and accept that walls are friends (not enemies), you’re 80% of the way to sounding competent.
The remaining 20% is footwork, teamwork, and not trying to win points by aiming at someone’s ribcage. But hey—progress.