Did you know padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports globally? It’s no surprise then that there is currently a huge surge of people looking to learn more about how to play padel.
This dynamic racket sport is a close relative of tennis and is easy to learn, highly sociable, and is a must-try for racket sports enthusiasts!
In this article, we will be covering all the basic rules of padel, the equipment needed, and everything you need to know to get started.
Padel Tennis Basics
Padel is a fast-paced racket sport that is essentially a cross between tennis and squash.
It is played in an enclosed court that is about 25% smaller than a tennis court but with a similar layout.
The key difference is that the padel court is entirely enclosed in glass or perspex walls which are used to play the ball off of to try to win the point, much like squash.
The back and side walls offer the opportunity for unique angles and creative shots that could take your opponents by surprise!
How to Play Padel - The Object of the Game
Like with any competitive sport, the goal of padel is to win the point, putting your team in a better place to win the best of the 3 sets that would constitute the match.
Patience is a big part of padel gameplay so we like to encourage players to take their time and avoid risky shots to try to finish opponents early as this can often lead to points being lost.
The net position is also a valuable component for pressuring opponents and forcing errors. Try to get to the net position as soon as you can to ensure dominance, and from that advantageous position, you can hit shots using the walls and rebounds that make it tricky for your opponent to get the ball back.
Basic Rules of Padel
If you’re wondering, “How is padel played?”. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some of the essential basics of the sport:
- Padel is largely played in doubles
- Matches begin with an underarm serve at or below waist level and must go diagonally into the opponent’s court and hit the serve square
- You get two serves
- Serves can’t hit the metal fence but they are allowed to hit the glass walls as long as the ball has bounced once first
- The lines on the court only apply when you serve so once the ball is in play, you can return it to either side of your opponent’s court
- The scoring system works the same as with tennis
- You can allow the ball to first hit the side or back walls before returning
- You can also play the ball into your glass walls before it crosses the net
- The mesh fencing can’t be used to return any shots, only the glass walls
- Points would be lost if the ball hits you or your teammate or if it bounces twice in your court before being returned
How Padel Points Scoring Works
Each game is comprised of four scores like tennis. The first point is 15, the second is 30, the third is 40, and the fourth would be the game.
In the case of a tie at 40 points, the game will then end with a golden point or deuce.
A golden point is awarded to the first team to get that point whereas in a deuce, teams must be the first to win two consecutive points to win the game.
How to Play Padel Necessary Equipment
There are only three essential pieces of padel tennis equipment you need to play – namely a padel racket, padel shoes, and padel tennis balls.
Padel rackets are smaller but have a thicker body than tennis rackets, providing a great sweet spot for any stroke. Rackets come in three different shapes but we recommend starting with the round shape as it is the most beginner-friendly.
Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but they are slightly smaller and less pressurised to reduce the bounce.
A good pair of trainers is sufficient for those just trying padel out, but if you wish to play more frequently we recommend purchasing some padel shoes or at least some court shoes with clay or all-court soles.
For more information on choosing the right footwear, check out our article on padel shoes vs tennis shoes.
Using the Walls for Padel Points
Side and back walls are an essential component of how to play padel. You can let the ball bounce and hit the wall before sending it back, or you can hit the ball against a wall to try and land it on your opponent’s side of the court creating awkward rebounds during rallies.
How to Play Padel FAQs
Is padel easier to play than tennis?
Many find padel more accessible and quicker to learn because the underarm serves are simpler so no long technical service training is required. The court is also smaller so it’s easier to cover and therefore more attractive to people who are less athletic or slightly older.
What is the golden point in padel?
At a tie of a 40-40 draw, a golden point means that the next point wins the game. The golden point was introduced by the World Padel Tour in 2020 to add new excitement to the game. While it’s not used by everyone, it can be useful for time bound games, especially if your court booking is only for an hour.
Can you play padel 1 vs 1?
There are a small number of courts designed for singles padel games but overall, the game is generally played in doubles as this leads to a faster-paced, more thrilling encounter.
What is the objective of padel?
The goal of padel is to be the first team to win two out of the three sets that constitute a match faster than your opponents.
Wrapping Up Our How to Play Padel Guide
So, there you have it, everything you need to know about how to play padel for beginners.
Now that you know how to play padel, we hope you feel encouraged to give this fun and dynamic sport a try yourself!
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