Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and one of the easiest to pick up. Most people can rally within their first session. This guide covers everything you need to get started.
What is padel
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. The walls are part of the game: the ball can bounce off them after hitting the floor. Points are scored the same way as in tennis.
- Always played in doubles (2v2)
- Underarm serve only
- Ball must bounce before hitting the wall on your side
- Scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game
- Walls are in play after the ball bounces
What gear do you need to start
- Racket: A beginner round racket, 340g to 360g. See our best beginner rackets guide.
- Shoes: Padel-specific or clay court tennis shoes. See our best padel shoes guide.
- Balls: Any padel balls. They look like tennis balls but have lower pressure.
- Court: Book a court at your local club. Most clubs rent rackets if you want to try before buying.
Court positions
In padel, position on court matters more than in most racket sports. The net position is dominant: teams who control the net win the point most of the time.
- Net position: Stand close to the net, slightly inside the service box. This is where you want to be.
- Back position: When defending, retreat to the back of the court near the glass walls.
- Transition: Moving from back to net after a good lob or defensive shot is the key skill to develop.
How to improve fast
The fastest way to improve is to play regularly with people slightly better than you and to take at least a few lessons early on. Good early habits, especially around court positioning and the bandeja shot, are much easier to develop from scratch than to correct later.
- Book at least 2 sessions with a coach in your first month
- Watch the net position: always try to get to the net after a good shot
- Learn the bandeja early. It is the most important defensive shot in padel.
- Play with better players when you can
- Do not rush into buying expensive equipment
Next steps