Padel is easy to pick up and hard to put down. It's played in doubles on a court about a third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and mesh. The rallies are long, the learning curve is gentle and it's social from the first point. Here's what you need to know before your first game.
The basics
- Always doubles. Padel is played two against two.
- Serve underarm. Bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it below waist height, diagonally into your opponent's service box.
- Use the walls. After the ball bounces on your side, you can play it off the back and side walls, just like squash. You can't hit it directly into the walls on your opponent's side.
- Scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, with sets of six games.
What you need
A racket
Padel rackets are solid, with no strings, and have a perforated face. Most clubs hire them out, so you don't need your own for your first few games. When you're ready to buy, a round racket with a soft core is the most forgiving choice for beginners. Our guide on how to choose a padel racket explains what to look for.
Shoes
This is the one thing worth getting right from the start. Padel involves lots of short, sharp movements on artificial grass, so you need grip and side-to-side support. Padel shoes or tennis shoes with a herringbone or omni sole work best. Running shoes don't grip well and offer little lateral support.
Clothing
Wear something light and breathable that lets you lunge, stretch and swing freely. Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cooler and drier than cotton during long rallies. Our court wear is designed for exactly that, in inclusive sizing. See our inclusive sizing guide to find your fit.
Balls
Padel balls look like tennis balls but have slightly lower pressure, which keeps the game controllable. Clubs usually provide them for bookings, or you can bring a fresh tube.
The extras
- A water bottle: you'll be surprised how much you sweat. Our cage-clip bottle hangs on the court fence.
- A towel: our clip-on padel towel keeps it within reach between points.
- Overgrips: a fresh grip stops the racket slipping in sweaty hands. Try our ProGrip+.
- A cap or visor: essential on outdoor courts in summer.
Booking your first game
Most clubs use the Playtomic app to book courts and find open games with players at your level. Many also run beginner sessions and coaching, which is the quickest way to learn the walls. If you're in Dorset, see our guide to where to play padel in Dorset.
Come and see us
Visit our factory store in Wimborne to try on kit in every size and get hands-on with our rackets before you buy. Every Court. Every Body.