• Points go 0, 15, 30, 40, game — the same as tennis.
• At 40-40 (deuce): with Advantage you must win 2 points in a row; with Golden point the next point wins the game and the receiving team chooses who returns.
• A set is first to 6 games, 2 clear (6-4, 7-5). At 6-6 play a tie-break: first to 7 points, 2 clear.
• A match is usually best of 3 sets. Some events replace the 3rd set with a super tie-break to 10 points, 2 clear.

• Serve underhand: bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it at or below waist height.
• Serve diagonally into the opponent's service box. You get two attempts.
• A serve that touches the line counts as in — lines are part of the box.
• After bouncing in the box, the serve may hit the glass, but if it hits the metal fence it is a fault.
• The return must bounce first — no volleying the serve.
• One team serves a whole game; teams alternate games, and partners take turns serving their team's games.

• Your shot must bounce on the ground in the opponents' half before touching any wall or fence. If it hits a wall first, it is out.
• After that bounce, the ball can hit the glass or fence and stays in play — you can play it off the walls.
• You may hit the ball into your own glass to get it back over the net.

• The ball bounces twice on your side.
• Your shot hits the opponents' wall or fence before bouncing, or lands outside their court.
• The ball touches you or your clothing.
• You or your racket touch the net, or you hit the ball twice.

• Change ends after the 1st, 3rd, 5th… game of each set.
• In a tie-break, change ends every 6 points. The app shows a "Change ends" banner when it's time.

Most points are won by the pair at the net. Move up and back as a pair, about 3 metres apart, as if joined by a rope. Don't leave a gap down the middle.

When both opponents are at the net, a high, deep lob over the weaker side forces them back — then run forward and take the net yourselves.

Don't rush a ball heading to the back glass. Turn, let it come off the wall, and hit it on the way down. Patience here wins rallies.

A firm ball between the two opponents creates doubt about who takes it. Agree as a team who covers the middle (usually the forehand player).

For a lob that's not easy to kill, play a controlled bandeja (sliced overhead) to stay at the net. Save the full smash for balls you can finish.

Against net players, aim low at their feet (a "chiquita") so they must volley upward — then attack the weak reply.

Get your first serve in — consistency beats power. Aim deep towards the side glass or at the receiver's body, then follow it to the net.

Call every shared ball: "mine", "yours", "switch". Plan the next point between points. Encourage each other — padel is a team game.

• Use a continental grip and a short backswing; the court is small and the ball comes fast.
• Stay on your toes with a small split step as the opponent hits.
• Warm up wrists, shoulders and calves, and wear padel/clay shoes with grip for the sandy turf.