[ Learn to play ]
[ The Difference ]
Padel and pickleball are two fast-growing racquet sports that seem very similar on the surface. While they share some similarities, they differ in court setup, equipment, rules and playing style — creating two very different on-court experiences.
[ Ball Type ]
Padel uses a depressurised tennis-style ball — slightly softer with lower bounce than a standard tennis ball — which allows for longer rallies and rebound play off the glass walls. Pickleball uses a lightweight plastic ball with holes (similar to a wiffle ball), which travels slower, produces less bounce and is more affected by wind in outdoor play.
[ Court Dimensions ]
A padel court is larger and fully enclosed with glass and mesh walls, measuring 20m × 10m. The walls are part of the game, adding a strategic rebound element similar to squash. A pickleball court is smaller at 13.4m × 6.1m (the same size as a doubles badminton court) and is not enclosed, with a non-volley zone ("kitchen") that significantly shapes how points are played.
[ Rackets ]
Padel rackets are solid, stringless and perforated, typically made from composite materials with a thicker profile for power and control. Pickleball paddles are also solid and stringless but are lighter, larger-faced and flatter, designed for controlled, precise shots rather than heavy spin or rebound play.
Here's the quick rundown on how Padel scoring works.
1
Play always starts with an underarm serve, hit diagonally into the opponent's service box. The ball must bounce once before being struck and it must land in the correct box without touching the fence (glass is allowed after the bounce).
2
After the serve, the ball can bounce once on your side before you return it. Players can use the glass walls after the ball has bounced, adding a strategic rebound element similar to squash. The ball cannot bounce twice on your side.
3
Padel uses traditional tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, game. Matches are typically played in best-of-three sets and you must win a set 6–4 or by tiebreak at 6–6.
[ The Court ]
Get familiar with the court layout so you can position smarter, serve cleaner and play with confidence. Padel courts are 20m × 10m and fully enclosed with glass and mesh walls — meaning the rebound off the wall is part of the game.
Master the language of padel with our dictionary of terms, techniques and rules.
Bandeja
Perhaps the most famous shot in padel. The bandeja is a defensive overhead hit, often with slice, used to keep opponents in the back of the court while maintaining the net.
Globo
Spanish for "lob". A high shot to the back of the court, with the intent of pushing the opponent back from the net.
Golden Point
At a score of 40–40 in a game, the winner of the next point takes the game. Next point decides the game — you do not have to win by two points.
Let
Essentially a "re-do". Called when a serve hits the net and lands in the service box, when a shot is not visibly in or out to both sides, or when an out-of-court obstruction lands in the court.
Fridge
A controversial padel strategy where a team hits all the balls to a specific player on their opponent's side so the other player gets "cold" — often resulting in the receiving player getting overwhelmed.
Boast
To hit the ball off the glass to pass it to the other side. Can be played offensively off the side glass to surprise opponents, or defensively off the back glass when you cannot pass the ball straight over the net.
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