{"id":22605,"date":"2025-12-25T19:37:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T18:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/the-golden-point-in-padel-understanding-this-crucial-rule-and-how-to-approach-it-tactically\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T09:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T08:07:36","slug":"the-golden-point-in-padel-understanding-this-crucial-rule-and-how-to-approach-it-tactically","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/the-golden-point-in-padel-understanding-this-crucial-rule-and-how-to-approach-it-tactically\/","title":{"rendered":"The golden point in padel: Understanding this crucial rule and how to approach it tactically?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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It’s the most electric moment of a match. The score is 40-40. The umpire announces “Punto de Oro” (golden point). The stadium holds its breath. <\/p>\n\n

This rule, now standardized on the professional tour (Premier Padel) and in most amateur competitions, has eliminated the endless advantages\/deuces of tennis to offer a dose of pure adrenaline.<\/p>\n\n

But beware, the golden point is not a lottery. It’s a precise tactical moment that is often won even before the ball is hit. Here’s how to control it. <\/p>\n\n

1. The Official Rule: What you need to know<\/h2>\n\n

Unlike tennis where you have to win by two points (advantage – game), modern padel cuts the suspense short.<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  • The trigger:<\/strong> As soon as there is deuce at 40-40<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • The receiver’s privilege:<\/strong> It’s the team that receives<\/strong> the serve that chooses the return side. They can decide that the server will serve to the right-side player (forehand side) or to the left-side player (backhand side). <\/li>\n
  • The outcome:<\/strong> The team that wins this single point wins the game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    2. Strategy for the team that RETURNS (Receivers)<\/h2>\n\n

    This is the team with the theoretical advantage, as they dictate the conditions of the serve.<\/p>\n\n

    How to choose the receiver?<\/h3>\n\n

    This is the most important decision. Don’t automatically choose the “best” player on the team. Ask yourself the right questions: <\/p>\n\n

      \n
    • Instant confidence:<\/strong> Who returned the opponents’ serves best during this set?<\/li>\n
    • The server’s weakness:<\/strong> If the server has an “American” serve (very topspin) that goes wide off the side glass, choose the side where you are most comfortable handling that glass.<\/li>\n
    • The server’s dominant hand:<\/strong> If the server is left-handed, it changes the angles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

      The tactical goal: Get the ball in<\/h3>\n\n

      At the golden point, the pressure is on the server.<\/p>\n\n

        \n
      • Don’t attempt a winning shot:<\/strong> Don’t try a return winner down the line at 200 km\/h. The risk of a direct error is too great. <\/li>\n
      • Aim for the feet or the lob:<\/strong> Play a ball to the feet of the server coming to the net (“Chiquita”) to force them into a difficult volley, or play a deep lob to take the net.<\/li>\n
      • The divorce zone:<\/strong> The center of the court is often the safest zone to create confusion between tense opponents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

        3. Strategy for the team that SERVES (Servers)<\/h2>\n\n

        The server is in danger, as a double fault means losing the game. You need to manage your stress. <\/p>\n\n

        Ensure the first serve<\/h3>\n\n

        This is the golden rule. Missing your first ball at the golden point gives a huge psychological advantage to the returners. Better an 80% power serve that goes in, than a failed ace attempt. <\/p>\n\n

        Where to serve?<\/h3>\n\n
          \n
        • The serve to the “T” (to the center):<\/strong> This is often the safest tactical option. It reduces the possible return angles for the opponent and allows the server’s partner to intercept more easily at the net. <\/li>\n
        • The body serve:<\/strong> Aim for the returner’s hip to bother them and prevent them from winding up their arm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

          Communication at the net<\/h3>\n\n

          Before serving, talk to your partner. On a ball that would come back to the center, who takes it?<\/strong> A one-second hesitation at 40-40 is fatal. <\/p>\n\n

          4. The Mental Aspect: The Key to Success<\/h2>\n\n

          The golden point is played in the mind.<\/p>\n\n

            \n
          • Routine:<\/strong> Don’t change your habits. Take the same amount of time before serving or receiving. Haste is your enemy. <\/li>\n
          • Visualization:<\/strong> Visualize where you will send the ball before hitting.<\/li>\n
          • Acceptance:<\/strong> Accept that the opponent might make a great point. Your only job is not to give<\/i> them the point through an unforced error. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

            Summary Table: The Commandments of the Punto de Oro<\/h2>\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n
            Role<\/th>\n TO DO \u2705<\/th>\n TO AVOID \u274c<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
            Returner<\/strong><\/td>\n Choose the confident player. Make the opponent play.<\/td>\n Attempt an impossible return winner. Change your mind at the last moment.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
            Server<\/strong><\/td>\n Get the first serve in. Serve to the center\/body.<\/td>\n Go for the line or an ace. Rush.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
            Volley<\/strong><\/td>\n Be active and ready to intercept at the center.<\/td>\n Be static or retreat out of fear.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

            The golden point is cruel, but it’s also what makes padel so addictive. It rewards calculated audacity and composure. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Everything you need to know about the “Punto de Oro” in padel. Understand the official rules and discover the best strategies to win this decisive point at 40-40. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":22606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[176],"tags":[],"tmauthors":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22605","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-padel-in-depth"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22605\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22605"},{"taxonomy":"tmauthors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actu-padel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tmauthors?post=22605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}