Padel words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 30 words · Step 2 of 2

Court and equipment terms

Central service line

The line that divides the area between the net and each service line into two service boxes. It extends at least 20 cm beyond the service line.

Metal fence

The welded mesh that completes the enclosure above the walls and at the ends. The mesh and its frame together count as the fence. The rhombus holes are 5 to 7.08 cm across on the diagonal, and the fence must be flat, vertical and tensioned so the ball bounces on it.

See also: Glass walls

Court surface

Cement, synthetic material or artificial grass that gives a regular bounce, in one colour for the whole floor: green, blue or terracotta, or similar, and clearly different from the walls.

See also: Glass walls

Net post

The lateral post at each end of the net, at most 1.05 m high, with rounded edges. Its outer side lines up with the side limits of the court. Touching the posts while the ball is in play loses the point.

Safety area

For out-of-court play each side of the court needs two access points, with no obstacles outside the court in an area at least 3 m wide, 4 m long and 3 m high on either side. The access must be cushioned on three sides.

Scoring terms

Super tie-break

An alternative that replaces the third set when sets are one all. The first pair to 10 points with a margin of 2 wins it and the match.

Mini set

An alternative set won by the first pair to four games with a margin of 2, and a tie-break at four games all.

Serving terms

Serving out of turn

A serve from the wrong side or by the wrong player is corrected as soon as it is found. Points already won stand, and a fault already made on that point carries over for the wrong side, but not for a wrong server.

Receiver not ready

The server must wait until the receiver is ready, and the receiver adapts reasonably to the server's rhythm. A not-ready claim cannot be made if the receiver tried to return the serve.

Match and rule terms

Double bounce

The ball bounces a second time on your side before you return it, and you lose the point. The ball may bounce once on the ground and any number of times on the walls before that.

Correct return

A return is correct if the ball, after being hit, bounces on the opponent's side, either directly or after first hitting a wall on the hitter's own side. It may go on to hit the fence, walls or net, and may even leave the court or hit the ceiling or lights, if no earlier rule has been broken.

See also: Glass walls

Point lost

A point is lost, among other ways, by a second bounce before the return, touching the net, posts, cable or opponent's court, hitting the ball before it has crossed the net, a double hit, the ball touching you or your partner after you hit it, the ball touching your own fence or ground, throwing the racket, jumping over the net, or a returned ball reaching the opponents' wall or fence without bouncing first.

Double hit

Hitting the ball twice, or both partners hitting it, which loses the point. It is not a double hit if one player hits the ball and the other hits their partner's racket while both try to hit it.

Let point

A point that is replayed, for example if the ball splits, something not part of the game enters the court, or play is interrupted by something unconnected to the players. A player who thinks it is a let must tell the umpire at once, or loses the right to it.

See also: Umpire

Interference

An action by a player, deliberate or not, that puts off an opponent making a shot. Deliberate interference gives the point to the opponents; involuntary interference gives a let, and a second involuntary one by the same pair loses the point.

Out-of-court play

Where the court has the required safety area, players may leave it to play the ball. The post between the doors, above 0.92 m, is a neutral zone for all four players. Rule 13(d) lists a ball that bounces and then leaves the court limits where out-of-court play is not authorised among the ways a point is lost; it does not say which pair, and this glossary does not interpret it.

Change of balls

The organisers announce the ball brand, whether two or three balls are used and any change policy, in advance. Changes come after an agreed odd number of games (warm-up counts as two games, a tie-break as one), never at the start of a tie-break, or at the start of a set.

Time and conduct

Medical break

For an injury or a treatable medical condition a player gets one 3-minute break for treatment, which may be repeated in the next two changes of side. Medical attention is given once per player per condition. After an accident or fainting the umpire may allow up to 15 minutes, and up to 5 minutes after an unusual incident such as a fall.

See also: Umpire

Suspension and warm-up

If a match is suspended, play restarts exactly where it stopped. After up to 5 minutes there is no warm-up, after 5 to 20 minutes one minute, after more than 20 minutes three. Suspension for lack of light is made at an even number of games.

Coaching

Players may receive advice from an accredited coach during rest times only. During medical timeouts, interruptions, suspensions or bathroom breaks the chair umpire decides whether coaching is allowed.

See also: Umpire

Time violation penalty

The first violation is a warning. After that a server loses the first serve and a non-server loses a point, then further violations lose successive points, and serious repetition can lose games or lead to disqualification.

Table of penalties

For players: a warning, then a warning with loss of a point, then disqualification. For coaches: a warning, then expulsion from the match. Violations by both players of a pair and by their coach are cumulative when they follow instructions.

Direct disqualification

For a very serious offence, such as grave physical or verbal aggression, the umpire can disqualify a player or coach at once. The player loses the match and cannot continue in the competition.

See also: Umpire

Attire

Suitable sports clothing and footwear; swimwear is not allowed. A breach is a fault, and an uncorrected breach leads to disqualification. Matching clothes are recommended, not required.

Shot types

Por tres

A smash that bounces on the opponents' side and goes out of the court over the side wall after hitting the back wall. The rules do not use the name.

Shot variations

Bajada

An overhead hit down and forward at a ball that has come off the back glass, less aggressive than a smash. The rules do not use the name.

Globo

The Spanish word for a lob, used in English commentary. The rules do not use the name.

Tactical terms

Wall defence

Using the back and side walls to retrieve balls that would be winners on an open court. The rules do not use the name.

See also: Glass walls

Pressure at the net

Staying close to the net to cut off the opponents' options and force errors. The rules do not use the name.

Switching

Partners swapping sides during a point to cover the court after a wide shot. The rules do not restrict movement during a point, but at serve the receiving order is fixed for the set.

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