How a Padel Doubles Match Works

A padel doubles match is 2 vs 2 on a glass-and-mesh court, with tennis-style scoring, underarm serves and heavy use of the walls. This guide covers rules, scoring, serving order, positions and simple tactics so you and your partner can feel confident in league matches and social play.

1. Match Basics & Equipment

Padel doubles is the default way to play padel – almost all organised matches and tournaments are doubles.

Players & Court

  • 4 players total: 2 vs 2.
  • Court size: 10m x 20m, with glass back walls and side walls.
  • Net in the middle, slightly lower than a tennis net.
  • You’re allowed to use the glass and (in most cases) metal fence after the ball bounces.

Rackets & Balls

  • Solid padel rackets (no strings), with holes in the face.
  • Low‑compression padel balls, similar to tennis but slightly less pressure.
  • Safety cord must be worn around your wrist at all times.

Objective of a Point

Your team wins a rally if the ball bounces twice on the opponents’ side, they hit the fence first without the ground, hit the ball out incorrectly, or into the net. Clever use of the walls is encouraged – that’s what makes padel different from tennis.

2. Scoring & Match Length in Padel Doubles

Scoring looks like tennis, though many clubs now use golden point at deuce.

Game Scoring

  • Points in a game go: 0, 15, 30, 40, game.
  • If both teams reach 40–40, that is deuce.
  • Traditional: play advantage in / out until a team wins two points in a row from deuce.
  • Modern: many clubs use golden point – a single deciding point at deuce.

Sets & Matches

  • A set is usually first to 6 games, win by 2 (e.g. 6–3 or 7–5).
  • At 6–6, you normally play a tie-break (first to 7, win by 2).
  • Most club matches are best of 3 sets.
  • Busy clubs may use short sets or alternative formats – see short-set padel and FAST4 padel.

Typical Duration

A full best‑of‑3 doubles match with standard sets usually lasts 60–90 minutes at club level. Using golden point and/or short sets brings this closer to 45–75 minutes, which clubs often prefer for booked court slots.

3. Serving & Returning Order in Doubles

Getting the order right avoids confusion and lets you play to each partner’s strengths.

How Serving Works

  • Serve is always underarm, after one bounce, struck below waist height.
  • Server stands behind the service line, between centre and side line.
  • Ball must land in the diagonal service box on the other side.
  • Two serves allowed (first serve, then second serve if needed).

Choosing Serving Order

  • At the start of each set, each team decides:
  • – Which partner will serve first for that team.
  • – Which team serves in the very first game (after the toss).
  • Within a team, servers alternate games in that set: Player A, Player B, A, B, etc.

Return Positions & Rotations

  • Each partner chooses a side: left or right (ad or deuce side).
  • You usually keep the same side for the whole set.
  • On each point, one receiver takes the serve; the other stays ready at net or back.
  • On golden point, the returning pair may choose which side takes the serve.

Simple Tip for New Pairs

Right‑handers often prefer the right side to start with (forehands in the middle), and more advanced or aggressive players often take the left side where more balls come to their forehand in the middle. Adjust as you gain experience.

4. Court Positions & Roles in Padel Doubles

The biggest upgrade you can give your doubles match is learning how to move with your partner.

Basic Positioning

  • When serving or returning, both players usually start around the back of the court.
  • As soon as possible, you try to move forward and take net position together.
  • At the net, stand:
  • – About 1–1.5m behind the net.
  • – A racket’s width from the side fence.
  • – Level with your partner left-to-right.

Moving as a Pair

  • Imagine you and your partner are connected by a short rope.
  • When the ball goes to your left, both slide left; to the right, both slide right.
  • Try not to leave big gaps in the middle – that’s where good opponents will hit.

Left vs Right-Side Roles

  • Left side (ad side) player:
  • – Sees more high balls and lobs in the middle.
  • – Often hits more smashes and overheads.
  • Right side (deuce side) player:
  • – Often builds the point with solid lobs and chiquitas (soft drives).
  • – Needs strong cross-court consistency.

Beginner-Friendly Guideline

Start with whichever side feels more natural, then over time decide whether one of you becomes the “left‑side specialist” and the other the “right‑side specialist”. You can record notes in PaddlePals about which side each partner prefers.

5. Core Tactics to Win More Padel Doubles Matches

You don’t need complex plays – a few simple habits will massively improve your doubles results.

1. Win the Net

  • Padel doubles is usually won by the team that controls the net position more often.
  • Use deep lobs to push opponents back and come forward together.
  • From the net, aim many balls to the middle to cause confusion.

2. Play Through the Middle

  • The middle is your friend:
  • – It gives you margin away from the side walls.
  • – It forces opponents to decide who hits it.
  • Only go for flashy cross‑court winners when they’re clearly on.

3. Use the Walls Calmly

  • Let balls go to the back glass if they’re heading there anyway.
  • Move early, turn sideways and let the ball come to you off the wall.
  • Play high, deep lobs to reset the rally instead of panicking.

4. Communicate Constantly

  • Call “mine” or “yours” as soon as you’re sure.
  • Talk between points: what worked, where to serve, where to lob.
  • Keep body language positive – especially after mistakes.

5. Build from Your Strengths

Decide as a pair: who has the stronger smash, who lobs better, who returns better under pressure. Shape your tactics around those strengths and track your match patterns in PaddlePals to see which plans are giving you the best results.

6. Common Club Formats for Padel Doubles Matches

Once you know how a standard match works, you’ll see it reused in many event types.

League & Box Matches

  • Best of 3 sets to 6 (often with golden point).
  • Sometimes shortened sets or match tie-breaks for the 3rd set.
  • Used in box leagues, ladders and team competitions.

Tournament Matches

  • Early rounds may use short formats (sets to 4 or one set only).
  • Finals often upgrade to full best‑of‑3 sets.
  • See knockout, group stage and Swiss system guides.

Social & Mixer Doubles

  • Often use single short sets or timed matches.
  • Partners may swap each round (Americano / Mexicano styles).
  • Great for meeting new players and trying different pairings.

Tracking Doubles Results

Whatever format you play, you can log doubles matches in PaddlePals, follow your win/loss record with each partner and generate victory certificates when you win leagues or events together.

7. Etiquette & Fair Play in Padel Doubles

Good atmosphere matters as much as good tactics, especially in club doubles.

Line Calls & Lets

  • If you’re unsure whether a ball was in or out, call it in.
  • Return serves that are close and discuss afterwards if needed.
  • Call lets clearly and replay the point without argument.

Respect for Partners & Opponents

  • Don’t criticise partners during play – save feedback for later and keep it constructive.
  • Congratulate opponents on good shots, even in tight matches.
  • Shake hands or bump rackets at the end of every match.

Pace of Play

Be ready to serve and receive promptly, pick up balls for each other and keep warm‑ups short if courts are busy. Clubs appreciate doubles pairs who respect court bookings and schedules.

8. Next Steps: Play & Track Your Padel Doubles Matches

With the rules and basics clear, your next step is simply to play more matches with your mates.

Find Courts & Opponents

Use Padel Courts Near Me to find local venues, then invite friends or join open sessions to get regular doubles games.

Try Different Formats

Mix standard doubles matches with formats from the Padel Games hub – Americano, Mexicano, group stages and more – all built around doubles.

Use PaddlePals to Log Matches

Create or join doubles matches in PaddlePals, track results, climb leaderboards and celebrate with victory certificates when you and your partners win leagues, tournaments or fun club events.

Back to Top

Revisit any section above when you need a quick reminder on scoring, serving order or doubles tactics.

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