Rule 5: changing ends

Source: FIP rulebook, revision 01.01.2026.

When do you change ends in padel?

1. Pairs change ends when the sum of games played in each set is an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, and so on).

2. In the tie-break, players change ends every 6 points.

3. If an error is made and the change of ends does not happen at the correct moment, the players shall correct the situation as soon as the error is discovered. All points counted before the error was noticed stand.

Worked examples

The sum is always the same: add both pairs’ games and check whether the total is odd.

Score	Sum	Change ends?
1-0	1	Yes
1-1	2	No
2-1	3	Yes
2-2	4	No
4-3	7	Yes

This sum does not apply in the tie-break. There you change every 6 points, counting the tie-break score and not the games.

If you got it wrong, it is corrected as soon as someone notices, and the points played until then still count. Nothing is replayed.