Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and for good reason: it is easier to pick up than tennis, more social than squash, and genuinely addictive once you have played three or four times. This guide covers everything a complete beginner needs to start playing.

The Court

A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide — roughly a third of the size of a tennis court. The court is enclosed by glass walls and metal mesh on all sides. The ball can be played off these walls, which is what makes padel unique: shots that would be clean winners in tennis become retrievable in padel if you read the rebound off the back glass correctly.

The net stands 88 centimetres high at the centre, rising slightly towards the posts. Each half of the court is divided into two service boxes by a centre line, with a service line running across the court a few metres from the back wall.

How Points Are Scored

Padel uses the same scoring language as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Sets are first to six games, winning by two, with a tie-break at 6-6. Matches are best of three sets. At 40-40, most club players use the traditional advantage system, though some competitions play a single sudden-death "golden point" instead — check the local rules before you start.

Padel is played as doubles — two players per side, four on court. That is the competitive format everywhere, and it is a large part of why the sport is so social.

The Serve

The serve is underarm. The server stands behind the service line, bounces the ball, and strikes it at or below waist height into the diagonally opposite service box. You get two attempts, just like tennis. If the serve lands in the box and then hits the wire mesh, it is a fault — but if it hits the glass wall after bouncing in the box, the ball is live and play continues.

One player serves for an entire game, exactly as in tennis, and the serve passes to the other team at the end of each game. Within a team, you and your partner take turns serving alternate service games, and you each keep your receiving side — one of you returns from the right court, the other from the left — for the whole set.

Playing Off the Walls

The walls are what make padel padel. On your side, the ball may hit a wall after it has bounced once on the floor — you can then play it as it comes off the glass. A ball that hits your wall before bouncing on the floor is out. Defensively, the back glass is your best friend: a ball that has beaten you in the air can often be returned after it rebounds.

Beginners chronically underuse the back glass. Learning to turn, let the ball pass you, and play it off the rebound is the single most important skill of your first six months. Our Learn section covers it in detail.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Hitting too hard. Padel rewards control and placement over power, especially at beginner level. Big swings into the glass hand your opponents easy rebounds to attack.

Staying at the back. The dominant position in padel is at the net. Winning the net and holding it is the core strategic battle for both pairs. Beginners who camp on the baseline concede a permanent positional advantage.

Wrong equipment. Playing in running shoes or with an advanced diamond-shaped racket makes the sport harder and riskier than it needs to be. Our complete gear guide covers exactly what to buy first — and what to skip.

One last note: the traditional scoring above is what you will use at your club. The professional tour introduced a new format called Star Point this season — if you are curious, we explain what is verified about it here.