Padel vs. Pickleball: A Complete Guide to the Differences
Padel and pickleball are two of the world’s fastest-growing sports, but how do they differ? Here’s a comprehensive comparison to help you get started with either—or both!
Court Size and Layout: How Padel and Pickleball Compare
One major difference is the court size. A padel court is larger, measuring 20m by 10m, while a pickleball court is 13.41m by 6.09m.
The layout also differs. A padel court resembles a tennis court with service boxes near the net, while pickleball connects its service boxes to the baseline. Pickleball also features a unique “kitchen” zone— a no-volley area that stretches across the court and extends 1.06m on either side of the net.
A standout feature of padel is the use of glass walls, which players can bounce the ball off, adding excitement to rallies. Pickleball courts, however, are open without walls.
Equipment: What You Need for Padel vs. Pickleball
Both padel and pickleball require a racket and ball, but the equipment is quite different.
Padel rackets have holes, are made from carbon fiber or fiberglass, and are shorter with thicker heads for impact absorption. They come in various shapes, like round for control or diamond for power.
Pickleball paddles, by contrast, are thin and made of plastic, with rectangular heads. The combined length and width of the paddle must not exceed 24 inches, and the length must be 17 inches or less.
As for the balls, padel uses low-pressure tennis balls, while pickleball uses plastic balls with 26 to 40 holes for a lower bounce, making them ideal for smaller courts.
Game Rules: Differences in How Padel and Pickleball Are Played
Padel is typically played in doubles, while pickleball accommodates both singles and doubles.
Both games start with an underarm serve aimed diagonally into the opponent’s service box. Only one bounce is allowed in both sports. Padel allows players to use the walls during play as long as the ball first bounces in the opponent’s court.
In pickleball, there must be one shot on each side before any volleys are allowed, and players can’t volley while standing inside the “kitchen” zone near the net.
Scoring: How Points Are Counted in Padel vs. Pickleball
Scoring in padel follows the same system as tennis, with sets made up of six games and a two-game lead needed to win. Games are scored as 15, 30, and 40, with “deuce” at 40-40. The player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
Pickleball, on the other hand, is scored up to 11 points, and the winner must lead by at least two points. The score is called with the serving team’s score first, then the receiving team’s, followed by the server number. For example, 5-3-2 means the serving team is leading 5-3 and is on their second server.
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