How to Play Padel: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and for good reason. It's easier to pick up than tennis, incredibly social, and gives you a serious workout without needing years of training. If you've heard people raving about it and want to know what all the fuss is about, this guide covers everything you need to get started.

What Is Padel?

Padel (sometimes called padel tennis) is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's played in doubles on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court. The walls — made of glass and metal mesh — are part of the game, which means the ball stays in play much longer and rallies are more exciting.

The sport originated in Mexico in 1969 when Enrique Corcuera built a modified court in his backyard. It spread to Spain in the 1970s and has since exploded across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Today, there are over 25 million padel players worldwide.

The Court

A padel court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide — roughly one-third the area of a tennis court. It's enclosed on all sides:

• Back walls: 3 meters of solid glass topped by 1 meter of metal mesh
• Side walls: A combination of glass (near the back) and metal mesh, stepping down toward the net
• The net: Sits in the center at 88cm high (slightly lower than tennis)
• Service lines: Marked on each side, 3 meters from the back wall

The enclosed design means you can play the ball off the walls after it bounces — just like squash. This is what makes padel unique and keeps rallies going.

Equipment You Need

The Racket

Padel rackets are solid (no strings) with a perforated face and a short handle. They're made of carbon fiber or fiberglass and weigh between 340-390 grams. As a beginner, choose a round-shaped racket — it has a larger sweet spot and is more forgiving on off-center hits. Expect to pay between $40-$100 for a solid starter racket.

The Balls

Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls but have slightly less pressure, making them slower and easier to control. Most clubs provide balls, but you can buy a tube of three for around $5-$8.

Shoes and Clothing

Wear court shoes with non-marking soles and a herringbone tread pattern for grip. Regular sneakers slip on the artificial grass or concrete surface. Comfortable athletic clothing is all you need otherwise — no special gear required.

Basic Rules in 2 Minutes

• Serve underhand: The ball must bounce once on the ground before you hit it, and the racket must contact the ball at or below waist height. Serve diagonally, just like tennis.
• One bounce maximum: After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiver's side before being returned. After that, you can hit it out of the air (volley) or after one bounce.
• Walls are in play: After the ball bounces on the ground, it can hit any wall and still be returned. You can even run out the side door to retrieve a ball that pops over the wall.
• Out of bounds: The ball is out if it hits the mesh or wall on your opponent's side before bouncing on the ground. It must always touch the floor first before hitting a wall on the opposing side.

Scoring

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

• Points: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game
• Deuce: At 40-40, one team must win two consecutive points (advantage, then game)
• Sets: First to 6 games wins the set, with a tiebreak at 6-6
• Match: Best of 3 sets in most recreational and professional play

How a Typical Game Flows

A padel match usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Here's the rhythm:

1. Warm-up (5 min): Hit the ball back and forth, practice a few serves, get a feel for the court.
2. Serve and return: One player serves underhand diagonally. The receiving team returns. The point begins.
3. Rally: Both teams try to gain the net position — the team at the net controls the point. Use lobs, volleys, and wall shots to outmaneuver your opponents.
4. Win the point: The point ends when the ball bounces twice, goes out, or hits the net.
5. Switch sides: Teams switch ends after every odd game (1, 3, 5, etc.).

Padel is easy to learn but endlessly challenging to master. Your first game will be fun. Your hundredth will be even better.

Tips for Your First Game

• Don't swing too hard. Control and placement beat power in padel. A gentle, well-placed shot wins more points than a wild smash.
• Use the walls. When you're pulled wide, let the ball come off the back wall instead of stretching for it. You'll have more time and better positioning.
• Get to the net. The team controlling the net wins most points. After a good return, move forward together with your partner.
• Communicate. Call "mine" or "yours" — especially for balls down the middle. Good communication is what separates a fun doubles team from a frustrating one.
• Have fun. Padel is a social sport first. Don't stress about winning your first few games — focus on enjoying the rallies and learning the walls.