The three scoring formats recognized by the International Federation of Padel

La International Federation of Padel (FIP) recognizes today three official scoring formats in its regulations.
This recognition does not, however, mean in your that these three formats are automatically used on the FIP Tour, Premier Padel or any other professional circuit.

The FIP defines a general regulatory frameworkwithin which each circuit, league or organizer remains free to choose the scoring format he appliesprovided that it is among those validated by the International Federation.

A common framework, but choices specific to each circuit

It is important to distinguish between two elements:

Formats recognized by the FIP : they constitute the international regulatory basis.
The formats actually used in competition : they fall under the choice of circuits (FIP Tour, Premier Padelnational leagues, private competitions, etc.).

In other words, a format recognized by the FIP can exist without being applied on a given circuit. Each organization then validates the scoring system it wishes to use in its sporting regulations.

The three scoring formats recognized by the FIP

1. The advantageous format (classic format used on Premier Padel)

This is the historical systeminherited from tennis and long used in all padel competitions.

The game unfolds with:

a 40/40 tie
advantage,
and obligation to win two consecutive points to win the game.

This format favors longer games and emphasizes the management of key moments, but it can significantly lengthen the duration of matches.

2. The Golden Point (no advantage and used on the FIP Tour)

Le Golden Points, also called no advantage, eliminates the classic advantage.

At 40/40:

un single decisive point is played,
The receiving pair chooses the receiving side,
The pair that wins this point wins the game directly.

This format is now widely used in many professional and national competitions because it allows:

better control over the duration of matches,
increased tension at crucial points,
a more consistent rhythm.

3. The Star Point (new recognized format)

Le Star Point constitutes an intermediate evolution between the classic advantage and the Golden Point.

After several successive ties (deuce 1, deuce 2, deuce 3), a decisive final pointCalled Star Pointis played.

Its specific characteristics:

The restarting pair chooses the side,
No change of position is permitted.
In mixed matches, the receiver must be of the same sex as the server.

This format aims to:

to retain an element of construction within the game,
while limiting the excessive proliferation of equalities.

Recognized by the FIP, but not automatically applied

Recognition by the FIP means that these three formats are valid regulations at an international level.
However, each circuit decides freely :

of the format it adopts,
and its application to all or part of its competitions.

Thus, the fact that a format is included in the FIP rules does not imply its automatic use on the FIP Tour, Premier Padel or other professional circuits.

A sporting and strategic challenge

The choice of scoring format is not insignificant. It directly influences:

the duration of the matches,
the physical management of the players,
readability for the public,
and sports dramaturgy.

It is precisely to allow this margin for adaptation that the FIP frames several formats, while leaving the responsibility for the final choice to the circuits.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.