How to Play Padel: A Beginner's Guide to Rules, Walls, and Your First Match
Tennis scoring, an underhand serve, and glass walls you are allowed to use. How padel works — and how to look like you know what you are doing on day one.
Theo Marsh8 min read
In This Story
In This Story
Key Takeaways
- Padel is played in an enclosed 20 × 10 m court, almost always as doubles.
- Serve underhand after a bounce, at or below waist height, diagonally into the box.
- After the ball bounces on your side, you can play it off your walls.
- Scoring matches tennis; many venues use a golden point at 40–40.
Padel looks like tennis played inside a glass box, and that is roughly right. The court is smaller, the serve is underhand, and the walls are part of the game. It is almost always played as doubles, which makes it social and forgiving. If you have played any racket sport, you will rally in your first session; if you have not, you will still have fun.
Fast answer
Underhand serve, one bounce, then the walls are in play
Scoring is the same as tennis. Let the ball come off the back glass instead of rushing it.
The court
A padel court is 20 by 10 metres, enclosed by glass back walls and a mix of glass and metal mesh on the sides. A net splits it in half, and service lines mark two service boxes on each side. The surface is usually artificial turf with sand, which is why padel shoes use a herringbone or omni sole.
The serve
- Bounce the ball behind the service line, then hit it at or below waist height.
- Serve diagonally into the opponent's service box; it must bounce there first.
- After the bounce, the serve may hit the glass — but if it hits the mesh fence first, it is a fault.
- You get two serves, like in tennis.
Playing off the walls
This is the part that feels new. Once a ball bounces on your side, it can rebound off your back or side glass and you can still play it. You can even hit the ball into your own wall to send it over the net. What you cannot do is hit the ball so it strikes your opponents' walls or fence before it bounces on their side — that is your point lost.
The beginner's mistake is hitting everything early. Let the ball come off the glass — it slows down and gives you time.
Scoring
- Points go 15, 30, 40, game — exactly like tennis.
- At 40–40, many clubs and pro events play a golden point: the next point wins the game, and the receivers choose which side receives.
- Other venues play advantage scoring, where you need two clear points.
- Six games win a set (by two), and matches are usually best of three sets.
Choosing a racket
| Compare | Round | Teardrop | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet spot | Largest, centred | Medium | Smaller, high |
| Feel | Control | Balanced | Power |
| Best for | Beginners | Improvers | Advanced attackers |
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
Tips for your first match
- Rent a round racket before buying one — then see how to choose a beginner padel racket.
- Move as a pair: you and your partner advance to the net and fall back together.
- Lob when stuck at the back — it buys time and pushes opponents off the net.
- Keep your swing compact; padel rewards placement more than power.
- Book a beginner clinic if your club offers one; wall play is easier to learn with feedback.
Sort your kit with what to wear for padel, and decide between sports with pickleball vs padel vs tennis.
Frequently Asked
Is padel easy for beginners?
Yes. The underhand serve, smaller court, and doubles format let most beginners rally in their first session. Wall play takes a few sessions to feel natural.
Can you hit the ball off the wall in padel?
Yes, after it bounces on your side you can play it off your own walls, and you can hit it into your own walls to send it over. It cannot hit your opponents' walls before bouncing on their side.
How is padel scored?
Like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, six games to a set. Many clubs and professional events use a golden point at 40–40 instead of advantage.
What racket should a padel beginner use?
A round-shaped racket with a large, central sweet spot gives the most control. Rent one first; most clubs offer rackets.
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