Paddle Rules: Everything you need to know about Pop Tennis

If you are looking for a fun and dynamic sport, paddle could be the right choice for you.

Also known as pop tennis, padel is a game that is gaining more and more popularity thanks to its simplicity and its ability to involve players of all ages and skill levels.

In this article we will discover the paddle rules in detail, so that you can deepen your knowledge of the sport and become a more experienced player.

You will learn how to play padel, what are the fundamental rules to follow and what are the best strategies to win a game. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player, there's a lot you can learn about paddle, so get ready to have fun and face an exciting challenge!

How to play POP Tennis?

The game takes place on a classic 15.24-metre court or on a larger 18.2m course, using mixed lines, drop lines or tape. Even on an 18m stand-alone course, the rules are the same as in tennis, with the exception of the serve which must be executed from below.

In the Paddle doubles on an 18m field, you can choose between a 18.3 x 6.4m field or a 18.2 x 8.2m field. In the first case the lines of a mixed tennis court are used, while in the second case the single lines of a standard tennis court are used. The 6.4m course is recommended for those who prefer an easier version with less travel. Even the Paddle singles on the 18-metre courts, it is played with a width of 6.4.

In Paddle Classic, which has some minor differences from tennis, the game takes place on a 15.2 x 6 meter court.

Paddle rules

These are the main rules that characterize the game of paddle.

1. Start: The player who wins a toss decides whether to serve or receive, or which side to start on. The opponent will choose the remaining option. The service must be run from below, and can only be run once. In case of a service error, the player loses the point.
2. Service: The serve must be executed from below, hitting the ball at or below the height of the net. You may choose to throw the ball in the air or bounce it behind the baseline of the court during your serve, but your chosen method must be used for the entire set. If the serve doesn't follow the rules, you lose the point.
3. Score: Paddle tennis score is same as tennis score with Love and Ad. The first point is called 15, the second 30, the third 40, while the fourth point is called Game. To win a set, the player must have a two games lead over his opponent. The match is usually best of three sets.
4. Field change: At the end of each odd game, the players switch sides.
5. Break: There is a 60-second break when switching sides, 5 minutes between the second and third sets, and 15 seconds between points. Longer breaks are permitted if requested, but unnecessary delays may result in disqualification in official competitions.

Padel Sports

The padel and pop tennis are both racket sports that are played in pairs, but have some substantial differences.

The padel is of Mexican origin and was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, who wanted to build a tennis court in his house but had limited space available. The playing field of padel is closed on all four sides, with the exception of the two side doors, which makes the game very fast and fun. The scoring system is similar to that of tennis and each team is made up of two players who have to hit the ball towards the opponent's court.

Pop tennis, on the other hand, was born in California in the 80s and was invented to introduce young people to the game of tennis. The playing field is long like that of tennis, but less wide, and the net is at a lower height. The scoring system is very similar to that of tennis, but players take turns serving every two points, unlike in tennis where you serve every play.

The padel had great success in Latin America and Spain, where it became one of the most popular sports. In Italy, is widely used and is managed by Italian Tennis Federation (FIT). Pop tennis, on the other hand, was introduced in the United States and has found some diffusion in some regions, but is not yet very well known internationally.

If you want to know more about best padel rackets or the clothing ideal to play, we leave you our guides.

As we have already written articles about how to play padel and on rules of this sportI'll leave you the links for further information.

Conclusions

In conclusion, padel and pop tennis are two very different racket sports. While padel is faster, more dynamic and has a closed playing field on all sides, pop tennis is more like tennis but with a smaller playing field and lower net. Both sports offer excellent physical activity and are fun to practice in company.