A Beginner’s Guide to Padel
Everything you need to know before stepping onto the court
What Is Padel?
Padel is a fun, fast-growing racket sport that mixes the best parts of tennis and squash. It’s usually played in pairs on an enclosed court with glass walls and mesh fencing. Don’t worry if you’ve never played before — padel is easy to learn and great for all ages.
The Court
- Smaller than a tennis court
- Fully enclosed with glass and mesh walls
- A net in the centre
- Simple line markings
The Equipment
- A padel racket (solid, no strings)
- A padel ball (similar to a tennis ball but slightly softer)
- Sports shoes with good grip
Equipment is available for hire onsite if you need it.
How Scoring Works
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:
0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → Game
A match is usually best of three sets. To win a set, a team must reach six games with at least a two‑game lead.Serving: Simple and Underarm
Serving in padel is easy and beginner‑friendly:
- Stand behind the service line
- Bounce the ball once
- Hit underarm, below hip height
- Serve diagonally into the opponent’s service box
Using the Walls
The walls are what make padel unique. After hitting the ground, the ball may bounce off the glass and still be in play. You can even use your own back wall to return shots — it’s all part of the strategy!The ball is out if it:
- Hits the wall before touching the ground
- Bounces twice
- Hits the metal fence before the ground
- Is hit out of the court
How Points Are Won
You win a point when your opponents:
- Hit the ball into the net
- Hit the ball out of play
- Let the ball bounce twice
- Hit the wall before the ground
- Miss the ball completely
Tips for Beginners
- Keep the ball in play — consistency wins points
- Communicate with your partner (“mine” / “yours”)
- Use the walls rather than avoiding them
- Position smartly — move forward to attack, back to defend