Padel 101: A Beginner's Guide

It is no secret that Padel is taking the globe by storm. It is an exciting sport that combines the best elements of tennis and squash, offering an easy-to-learn yet highly engaging experience for players of all ages. 

Although Padel has actually existed since the late 1960s, the really explosive growth has occurred in recent years, so a lot of players are relative newcomers to the sport. Here at Padel39, we want to do everything that we can to support new players and have sessions to suit all levels of experience.

We wanted to share some thoughts for an introduction to the basics of padel, for all those who have heard the buzz and want to find out more about the world’s fastest growing sport. 

What is padel?

Padel is a racket sport played, almost exclusively, as doubles on an enclosed court that is about 25% smaller than tennis court. 

The game is fast-paced and strategic, with the added interest of being able to use the walls to gain a competitive advantage. 

Historically, a lot of padel players are previous / current tennis players, although we are seeing more and more players embrace padel without having experience of any racket sports. 

Padel follows the same scoring system as tennis but places a greater emphasis on technique, teamwork and tactics rather than raw power.

Why is padel growing so quickly?

There are many reasons behind the surge in padel’s popularity, including the following: 

• Padel is easy to learn: Padel has a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for beginners.
• Social and fun: The doubles format makes padel inherently a very social sport.  
• Less physically demanding: With a smaller court and slower ball speed, compared to tennis, padel is easier on the joints and is suitable for players of all ages.
• Fast-paced and strategic: The use of walls adds an exciting dimension, making the game dynamic and unpredictable.

Padel basics

If you’re familiar with tennis, padel’s rules will feel intuitive, although there are some key differences that you need to consider:

Scoring System

Padel follows the traditional tennis scoring system:

• 15, 30, 40, game
• Best of three sets, typically with golden point (deciding point in tennis) and often a 10-point tiebreaker instead of a full 3rd set
• Set tiebreaks at 6-6 in most formats

Gameplay basics

• Serving: All serves are underarm and you must bounce the ball once before hitting at or below waist height. You serve diagonally, as in tennis.
• Ball in play: The ball must land within the opponent’s court before hitting the walls. Players can return shots after the ball bounces off the walls, similar to squash.
• Winning a point: A team wins a point when their opponents fail to return the ball before it bounces twice or if they hit the ball out of bounds.

Padel equipment

You do not need to invest in expensive equipment to enjoy Padel (and you can rent kit from us if you just want to see what the excitement is about). All  you need to have is:

• Padel racket: Shorter than a tennis racket, with a solid foam (EVA) core that is perforated and a fiberglass or carbon surface (no strings).
• Padel balls: Similar to tennis balls but slightly smaller and with less pressure for longer rallies.
• Padel court: Padel courts are enclosed with glass and wire mesh walls, which are part of the game. All Padel39 clubs offer fantastic world-class courts to enjoy padel.

Key tips for beginners

Although it takes time to master padel, you will be having fun during your very first session. Here are some tips to help progress quickly:

1. Master the basics first – Focus on control and placement over power.
2. Use the walls to your advantage – Don't try to volley everything. Let the ball bounce and use the walls to change the ryhtmn of the point. It takes time to master, but it is a fascinating extra dimension to enjoy.
3. Stay close to your partner – Communication and positioning are crucial in doubles.
4. Be patient – Padel rewards patience and smart shot placement.
5. Work on your serve – A good serve can set the tone for the rally and get you to the net.

Come and try padel yourself

Padel is an exciting, social and easy-to-learn sport that’s growing at an incredible rate. Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or transitioning from tennis or squash, you’ll find a very warm welcome on the Padel39 courts.

Grab a racket, hit the court and join the revolution!

‍