How to Play Padel - A Complete Guide for Beginners
How to play padel - a complete guide for beginners
Padel is a dynamic and fun sport that is quickly enjoyed by complete beginners as well as people who have experience with tennis or squash. The rules are simple, the game is mostly played in doubles, and you'll master the first rallies in just a few minutes on the court.
In this article, you will learn how to play padel step by step - from the basic rules, through serving and playing with the walls, to the equipment you need for your first game.
Basic padel rules for beginners
Padel is played exclusively in doubles (2 against 2) on a court surrounded by glass and fencing. Each rally begins with a serve, and the goal is to win a point by making the opponent unable to return the ball into the court according to the rules.
Scoring in padel is the same as in tennis - points (15, 30, 40), games, and sets are played. If the score in a game is 40:40 (deuce), in recreational play, the so-called golden point (golden point) is very often played, where the next point decides the entire game. In some matches, a classic advantage may also be played, depending on the agreement or tournament rules.
A set is won by the team that wins 6 games with a difference of at least two games ( e.g. 6:4).If the score is 6:6, a tiebreak is played, which is usually played to 7 points with a difference of at least two points.
Matches are most often played to 2 winning sets. In recreational play or amateur tournaments, the rules may be slightly modified, but this format is considered the standard.
Padel court: dimensions and basic rules of play
A padel court measures 20 × 10 meters and is smaller than a tennis court. It is exclusively played in doubles (2 against 2). The court is surrounded on the sides and behind the baseline by glass walls and fencing, which are an active part of the game.
The glass walls allow the ball to bounce off the ground and the game to continue. If the ball touches the wall beforeit hits the ground, the opponent wins a point. Playing with the walls is one of the main differences between padel and tennis and plays a major role in game tactics.
The net on the padel court is in the middle of the court and is slightly lower than in tennis. The court surface is most often artificial grass with sand, which slows down the game and allows for longer rallies.
How to serve correctly in padel
Serving in padel is simpler than in tennis, but it has its specifics. The goal is not to hit an ace, but to get the ball into play and set up a position for the rally.
It is served underhand, with the ball being below waist level at the time of impact. Before the hit, the ball must bounce once on the ground and only then is it played.
The serve is played cross-court - from the right side of the court into the opponent's left service box (and vice versa). After bouncing in the service box, the ball must cross the service line and must not immediately touch the wall. If it touches the fencing after bouncing, the serve is invalid.
Each player has two attempts at serving, just like in tennis.
Tip for beginners:
Don't try to serve hard. In padel, accuracy and ball placement are much more important than speed. A low and reliable serve will help you get into the rally and gain a better position on the court.
Playing with the walls in padel – rules and tactics
What makes padel different from tennis is playing with the walls. In padel, after bouncing on the ground, the ball can hit the glass wall and the game continues. This is precisely why rallies are longer and the game is more tactical.
The important rule is simple: the ball must first bounce on the ground and only then can it touch the wall. If the ball touches the wall before hitting the ground, the opponent wins a point.
The walls give players more time to react and allow them to return balls that would already be lost in tennis. For beginners, it is important not to fear the ball coming behind them – the wall is often a help, not an obstacle.
Tip for beginners: ( Don't fear the walls )
Don't try to play every ball immediately after it bounces. Sometimes it is better to let the ball hit the wall and play it only then. You will gain more time and the hit will be more reliable.
Equipment for your first padel game: racket, balls, and shoes
You don't need much equipment for your first padel game. Quite the opposite - padel is very accessible in this regard and you can get into it quickly without major investments.
The basic thing is a padel racket, which differs from a tennis racket in that it has no strings and is more compact. For beginners, lighter and softer rackets are ideal, which absorb impacts better and help with shot control.
Next, you will need padel balls, which are similar to tennis balls, but have slightly lower pressure. This slows down the game and makes rallies longer.
As for footwear, even sports sneakers with good stability will do. Ideal are shoes designed for padel or clay courts, which grip the court surface well and help with quick changes of direction.