Tie Breaking: how does the serve order and points system work for a tie break?

The decisive moment has come after a very even set: 6-6. To decide the game, you have to play a Tie Break. In this article, we explain the rules of serve order and scoring to do this. In addition, we give you some tips to deal with sudden death in the best way.

In amateur padel, especially for beginners, but even for some players with more experience, the Tie Break is the source of much confusion and arguments, mostly due to not knowing the rules well. Here are the 4 basic rules you need to know:

1. Scoring: Points are scored: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The pair that reaches 7 with a margin of at least 2 points wins the set. If a draw continues on the scoreboard and this two-point difference does not exist, play continues until the difference occurs.
2. Serve order: The player that serves first on the Tie Break follows the order of the previous games, also coinciding with the player who started serving for the set. They will serve only once and from the right-hand side of the court. Then, following the order of service, the player from the opposite pair will serve twice, the 1st from the left side and the 2nd from the right. And so on, respecting the serve order.
3. Every 6 points, there is a change in court side.
4. In the first game of the following set, a player from the pair that did not start serving in the Tie Break will begin serving. In this way, it is as if a normal game had been played. Either member of the pair can start serving, it is not necessary to follow the order of the previous set.

To face a Tie Break in the best way, you must analyse the situation well: both your own physical and mental state, as well as that of your partner and your opponent. If you are in the 3rd set, you have no margin for error. Decide if you will play more conservatively or go on the attack quickly, but bear in mind, this is not the time to pull out star moves, taking into account that unforced errors usually end up deciding who wins the set. Play each point without dwelling on the previous ones or those to come, just focus.

Once again, we hope we’ve helped you improve your technique and enjoy our favorite sport, padel.

As always: "NOX, makes you improve".