How to Play Padel: The Complete Beginner's Guide

What is Padel? (And Why You'll Be Addicted in 10 Minutes)

Imagine tennis and squash had a baby. Now put that baby on a smaller court surrounded by glass walls, hand it a solid racket with holes, and tell it the walls are in play. That's padel.

It's the fastest-growing sport in the world (yes, faster than pickleball), and once you play your first game, you'll understand why. It's:

✅ Easy to learn (you'll rally on day one)
✅ Hard to master (but incredibly fun trying)
✅ Social by design (always played in doubles)
✅ Strategy over strength (tactics win points, not just power)
✅ Ridiculously addictive (don't say we didn't warn you)

The Basics: Padel in 60 Seconds

The Court

Smaller than tennis (roughly 25% smaller)
Enclosed by glass walls (back) and metal mesh (sides)
Artificial turf or grass surface
The walls are part of the game 🤯

The Game

Always played in doubles (4 players total)
Underhand serve (below waist, behind service line)
Ball can bounce off walls after hitting the ground
Score like tennis (15, 30, 40, game)
Win by: Making the ball bounce twice on opponent's side

The Vibe

More social than tennis (smaller court = more interaction)
More strategic than pickleball (walls add complexity)
Less intimidating than squash (easier to start)
Translation: Perfect for literally everyone

Understanding the Padel Court

Court Dimensions & Layout

Official Padel Court Measurements:
- Length: 65.6 feet (20 meters)
- Width: 32.8 feet (10 meters)
- Total Area: About 2,150 sq ft

Key Zones:
- Service boxes (like tennis)
- No-volley line (3 meters from net)
- Back glass walls: 10-13 feet high
- Side mesh walls: 13 feet high

The Walls Are Your Friend

This is what makes padel unique: the ball stays in play when it hits the walls. You can:

Let it bounce off the back glass for a return
Use side walls to create tricky angles
Hit walls directly (after the bounce) for strategic shots

Pro Tip: In your first game, the walls will feel weird. By your third game, you'll be using them intentionally. By your tenth game, you'll wonder how tennis manages without them.

How to Play: Step-by-Step

Starting the Game

1. The Serve (This Is Different From Tennis)

Stand behind the service line (not the baseline)
Serve underhand (racket below waist at contact)
Bounce the ball once, then hit it diagonally
Ball must land in opponent's service box
You get two attempts (like tennis)

Serving Rules:

Server alternates sides (right/left) each point
Partners alternate serving
If the ball hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it's a let (serve again)

2. The Rally Begins Once the serve is in:

Hit the ball before it bounces twice
You can let it bounce off the walls (after hitting the ground)
Ball can touch the walls on your side before you hit it
Volley allowed (except on the return of serve)

3. Using the Walls Legal:

✅ Ball bounces on ground → hits wall → you hit it back
✅ You hit ball → it goes over net → bounces in their court (even if it then hits their wall)
✅ Ball bounces in their court → goes over the fence → you can run around and hit it back (yes, really!)

Illegal:

❌ Ball hits wall before bouncing on ground (point to opponent)
❌ You hit ball directly into wall before it crosses net
❌ Ball bounces twice before you hit it

Scoring (Just Like Tennis)

Points: 0, 15, 30, 40, Game

Win by 2 points at deuce (40-40)
Games: First to 6 games wins the set (must win by 2)
Sets: Best of 3 or 5 sets (varies by tournament)
Tiebreak at 6-6 (first to 7 points, win by 2)

Why it's better than tennis scoring: It's not. It's exactly the same. If you know tennis scoring, you're already halfway there!

Basic Shots & Techniques

Essential Shots for Beginners

1. The Serve (Underhand)

Drop the ball, let it bounce
Contact below waist height
Aim diagonally to opponent's service box
Beginner tip: Focus on consistency over power

2. The Forehand

Your bread-and-butter shot
Contact ball at waist height when possible
Use walls for positioning
Key: Watch the ball, not your opponent

3. The Backhand

Two-handed is totally fine (even preferred for beginners)
Use it when ball is on your non-dominant side
Secret: Many pros use two-handed backhands

4. The Volley

Hitting ball before it bounces
Stay near the net for control
Quick, compact swings
Most important shot in padel (really!)

5. The Lob

High, arcing shot over opponents' heads
Lands deep in their court
Buys you time to reposition
Use when: You're in trouble

Intermediate Shots (Once You've Got the Basics)

The Bandeja (Overhead defensive shot)

Sliced overhead that stays in play
Keeps opponents back
Doesn't go out like a hard smash might

The Víbora (Spinning overhead)

Overhead with side spin
Hits side wall at angle
Makes returns difficult

The Chiquita (Soft drop shot at net)

Low, soft shot that barely clears net
Drops at opponents' feet
Forces them to hit up

The Smash (Winner!)

Hard overhead to finish point
Aim for gaps or at player
Risk: Can go out or off wall incorrectly

Strategy & Positioning

The Golden Rules

1. Start at the Baseline, Move to the Net

Serve/return from back
Work your way forward as rally develops
Goal: Both partners at net = best position

2. Move Together

Stay together as a team (synchronized movement)
If partner moves left, you move left
Imagine: You're connected by a rope

3. Control the Net

Team at net usually wins the point
Force opponents back with lobs and deep shots
Move up when you have advantage

4. Use the Walls Strategically

Back wall bounce = more time to position
Side walls = create angles
Practice: Letting ball come off wall feels weird at first, then magical

Common Beginner Mistakes

❌ Staying at the baseline too long → Move up! The net is where points are won

❌ Trying to hit winners on every shot → Consistency beats power in padel

❌ Forgetting about partner → Communicate! "Mine!" "Yours!" "Switch!"

❌ Ignoring the walls → Use them! They're your 5th and 6th teammates

❌ Serving too hard → Soft, consistent serves > aces (which are rare anyway)

Different Formats & Game Types

Standard Match

4 players (2 vs 2)
Best of 3 sets
6 games per set
Traditional scoring

Americano Format

Round-robin style
Partners change each game
Everyone plays with everyone
Most popular at clubs for social play

Mexicano Format

Similar to Americano
Different teammate every game
Points accumulate individually
Great for: Meeting new players

Singles Padel

Yes, it exists!
Smaller court (usually)
More fitness-intensive
Rare but fun

Your First Game: What to Expect

Minute 1-5: "The walls are so weird..." Minute 6-15: "Oh wait, I can use the walls!" Minute 16-30: "This is actually really fun" Minute 31-45: "When can we play again?" Hour 2: Already looking up club memberships

Realistic Expectations

After Your First Hour:

You'll understand basic rules
You'll have rallied successfully
You'll have used walls (accidentally and intentionally)
You'll have had way more fun than expected

After Your First Month:

Basic shots feel natural
Wall play becomes instinctive
Strategy starts clicking
You've probably convinced 3 friends to try it

After Three Months:

You're hooked (we told you)
Your game has a recognizable style
You understand positioning and teamwork
You're researching racket upgrades

Tips for Absolute Beginners

Before Your First Game

1. Find a Beginner Clinic Most clubs offer free or low-cost intro sessions. Trust us, 30 minutes with a coach saves you hours of confusion. Check our directory for clubs near you offering beginner programs.

2. Don't Buy Expensive Gear Yet Start with rentals! Every club rents rackets and provides balls. Try different styles before investing.

3. Bring a Friend Padel is social. Grab a buddy who's also curious. You'll learn together and have someone to blame when you lose.

4. Wear the Right Shoes Court shoes (tennis/padel specific) are important. Running shoes = sliding risk. See our Equipment Guide for details.

During Your First Game

1. Stay Relaxed Everyone was a beginner once. Even the pros. (Okay, maybe not that relaxed, but close.)

2. Focus on Consistency Just get the ball back over the net. Forget winners. Forget power. Just keep rallies going.

3. Watch the Ball Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised. Eyes on ball = success.

4. Communicate Say "Mine!" when you're taking the shot. Say "Yours!" when your partner should take it. Say "Sorry!" when you accidentally hit them with the ball (it happens).

5. Have Fun It's a game. With walls. Where sometimes the ball bounces off glass at weird angles and everyone laughs. Lean into it.

Common Questions New Players Ask

"Is it like pickleball?" Some similarities (smaller than tennis, doubles focus), but padel has walls and uses a pressurized ball. It's faster, more strategic, and the rallies are longer.

"Do I need to be fit?" Nope! Padel is less running than tennis. The smaller court means less sprinting. That said, you'll still work up a sweat.

"Can older/younger players compete together?" Absolutely. Strategy and placement matter more than raw athleticism. Families play together all the time.

"How long to get decent?" Most people can rally and play a fun game within 2-3 sessions. To get good? Like any sport, it depends on practice. But you'll have fun immediately.

"Is it expensive?" Court rentals: $20-60/hour (split among 4 players = $5-15 each) Memberships: $50-350/month (varies wildly) Equipment: $50-200 to start

Compared to golf or skiing? Padel is downright affordable.

Ready to Play?

Find Your Nearest Court

Use our court directory to find facilities near you. Filter by:

Indoor/Outdoor
Beginner-friendly programs
Equipment rentals
Membership vs. drop-in

What Happens Next

Book a beginner clinic (most are free or $20-40)
Show up with court shoes and athletic clothes
Try it for 60 minutes
Get hooked
Come back next week (you will)

The Padel Community Awaits

Here's the beautiful thing about padel: the community is incredibly welcoming. Because the sport is still growing in the U.S., everyone remembers being new. Players want to share it, teach it, and grow it.

Walk into any club and you'll find:

Players willing to explain rules
Drop-in sessions for solo players
WhatsApp groups to find partners
Friendly competition (emphasis on friendly)

From the "un-country club" vibe at Matt's Pickle & Padel in Pittsburgh to the luxury experience at Padel N9NE in San Diego, there's a club that matches your style.

Your padel journey starts now. Let's go. 🎾

Quick Start Checklist

Read this guide (you're doing it!)
Find a club near you in our directory
Book a beginner clinic or court time
Bring a friend, court shoes, and water
Try it for 60 minutes
Report back how addicted you are

Pro tip: Don't schedule anything important immediately after your first session. You'll want to play again. And again. And probably grab drinks after to talk about how fun it was.

Welcome to padel. We're glad you're here. 🎾✨