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When do you change ends in padel?
Change ends after every odd game: one, three, five. Same as tennis.
You have just won the first game of the set. Do you change ends now?
Change ends after every odd game: one, three, five. Same as tennis.
Why
Ends are changed after the first game and then after every two games, which means after every odd-numbered game: one, three, five, and so on. In a tie-break, ends change every six points. It matters more than it sounds: on outdoor courts one end usually has the sun or the wind, and indoor courts often have a brighter end for the lights. Knowing the rhythm means you never get caught arguing about it at 4-3.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Use the change of ends to breathe, drink and say one useful thing to your partner about the next two games.
Intermediate
The end with the sun in your eyes is the end to lob less and drive more, because overheads are where the sun bites.
Advanced
Track which end each pair struggles on. Serving into the difficult end at 5-4 is not luck, it is counting.
Common questions
You have just won the first game of the set. Do you change ends now?
Yes, after the first game, then every two games. Change ends after every odd game: one, three, five. Same as tennis. Ends are changed after the first game and then after every two games, which means after every odd-numbered game: one, three, five, and so on. In a tie-break, ends change every six points. It matters more than it sounds: on outdoor courts one end usually has the sun or the wind, and indoor courts often have a brighter end for the lights. Knowing the rhythm means you never get caught arguing about it at 4-3.
Why not no: ends change every two games from the start?
The first change is after one game, then every two. Odd games, not even ones.
What should a beginner do here?
Use the change of ends to breathe, drink and say one useful thing to your partner about the next two games.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Track which end each pair struggles on. Serving into the difficult end at 5-4 is not luck, it is counting.
What do the rules say?
Players change ends after the first game and then after every odd game. In a tie-break, ends change every six points.
Puzzles like this one
Can you volley the return of serve?
The return of serve must bounce. It is the one ball in padel you are not allowed to volley.
beginnerThe ball bounced then hit your own back glass. Still in play?
One bounce on the floor, then any number of walls. Only a second floor bounce ends the point.
advancedThe smash sent the ball out through the side opening. Chase it?
If the court has an opening, you may leave through it and play the ball back, before it bounces a second time.