What is padel and how do you play it? An easy guide for beginners.

Padel is one of the most popular racket sports in the world. It is typically played in pairs on an enclosed court with walls or glass as part of the game. Its success lies in the fact that it is easy to learn, fun, and suitable for all ages, from children to seniors.

In this guide, you’ll learn what padel is, how to play it, its basic rules, and some tips to get off to a good start.

1. What is padel?

Padel tennis originated in Mexico in the 1970s and quickly spread to Spain and Latin America. It is currently one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.

Unlike tennis, the court is smaller and surrounded by walls or glass that you can use to bounce the ball. This creates longer and more strategic points.

2. The court and the padel equipment

To play padel, you only need:

3. Basic rules of padel

1. Serve: always below the waist, diagonally, and the ball must bounce before crossing the net.
2. Ball in play: can bounce off walls after bouncing on the ground.
3. Scoring: Same as in tennis: 15, 30, 40, and a game. Matches are usually best of three sets.
4. Winning a point: if the ball bounces twice, if the opponent hits it directly against the wall, or if it does not go over the net.

4. Why play padel?

Padel is a very social sport, as it’s played in pairs and encourages interaction between players. It’s also easy to learn, so you can start enjoying it with just a few classes. It’s also a very healthy activity, as it improves endurance, coordination, and reflexes. Best of all, it’s suitable for all ages: from children as young as 6 to adults over 70 who play it enthusiastically.

5. Tips for beginners in padel

For those new to padel, it’s essential to follow some tips to make learning easier and avoid frustration. Ideally, start with a light and manageable racket that allows for comfortable hitting and reduces the risk of injury. At first, it’s best to focus more on placing the ball correctly and maintaining control than on hitting with power, as precision is key to winning points. It’s also very useful to learn how to use the walls as part of your strategy, both for defending and surprising your opponent with counterattacks. Finally, it’s best to play with people of a similar skill level, as this will make the matches more balanced, fun, and motivating to continue improving.

6. Padel classes: the best way to learn

If you want to improve quickly in padel, the best thing to do is take classes with a qualified instructor. You’ll learn proper technique, avoid injuries, and progress in a safe and fun way.

In my classes, we work on: