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Padel for intermediates: the complete guide
Padel for Beginners: The Complete Guide
Updated June 2026 · Beginners Guide
What is padel and how do you start playing?
Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed glass-walled court, combining elements of tennis and squash. The serve is underarm with two attempts, glass walls are part of play after a bounce, and most beginners can rally within their first session. To start: book a beginner session, borrow a bat, and wear court shoes.
4
players per game
10m
to learn basics
£6
per player per hour
860k
UK players (2025)
What's in this guide
1. What is padel?
A padel court — smaller than tennis, enclosed by glass walls that stay in play after a bounce.
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Glass walls and metal mesh surround the playing area and are a central part of the game — after the ball bounces, players can play it off the glass.
The serve is underarm with two attempts (like tennis), the scoring follows tennis, and the doubles format means four players share the court. This combination makes padel unusually easy to start, highly social, and more tactically interesting than it first appears.
Padel at a glance
- Always played 2 vs 2 — doubles only
- Underarm serve, bounced below hip height — two attempts
- Glass walls in play after the ball bounces
- Tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, deuce, games, sets
- Smaller court — 10m × 20m enclosed
- Solid bat with a perforated surface (no strings)
- 860,000 players in the UK as of 2025 (LTA)
2. Padel vs tennis, squash and pickleball
Most people arriving at padel come from tennis, squash or pickleball. Here is how the sports actually compare — what carries over and what is genuinely different.
| Factor | Padel | Tennis | Squash | Pickleball |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court | 10m × 20m, enclosed glass | Singles 8.2m × 23.8m, open | 6.4m × 9.75m, four walls | 6.1m × 13.4m, open |
| Format | Doubles only | Singles or doubles | Usually singles | Singles or doubles |
| Serve | Underarm, 2 attempts | Overhead or underarm, 2 attempts | Must hit front wall above tin | Underarm, 1 attempt (rally scoring) |
| Walls | Glass & mesh, in play after bounce | None | All four walls in play | None |
| Scoring | Tennis scoring (15/30/40) | Tennis scoring (15/30/40) | PAR scoring to 11 | Rally scoring to 11 |
| Ball | Low-pressure rubber (like tennis) | Pressurised tennis ball | Rubber hollow ball | Perforated plastic |
| Ease for beginners | Very easy — rallies from session one | Harder — serve takes time | Hard — court reading takes time | Very easy — small court, slow ball |
| UK players (2025) | 860,000 (LTA) | 5+ million (LTA) | 700,000 (England Squash) | ~130,000 (estimated) |
For the full head-to-head comparisons: padel vs tennis · padel vs pickleball
3. The padel court explained
Understanding the court removes most of the confusion for new players. A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide — roughly a third of the total area of a tennis singles court. The key difference is that it is fully enclosed.
| Part of the court | What it is | How it affects play |
|---|---|---|
| Back glass walls | Tempered glass panels, 3m high at each end | Ball can rebound off them after bouncing — keeps points alive |
| Side walls | Lower glass section (approx 1m) topped by metal mesh | Ball can rebound off the lower glass; mesh above is out after a bounce |
| Service line | Line 3m from each back wall | Server must stand behind it; serve must land in front of it |
| Centre service line | Splits each half into left and right service boxes | Determines which diagonal service box the serve must land in |
| Net | 88cm high at the sides, 92cm at the centre | Similar height to tennis — marginally lower at the sides |
| Court surface | Artificial turf (sand or rubber infill) on most UK courts | Requires padel-specific or clay-court shoes — not running shoes |
The critical rule that surprises most beginners: the metal mesh fence is not in play on a serve. If a correctly bounced serve hits the fence, it is a fault. The glass wall is fine; the fence is not. During a rally, the ball can hit any wall after bouncing on the court.
4. How a padel point actually plays out
This is the bit most beginner guides skip. Walking through a typical point removes the mystery faster than any rule explanation.
1
The serve. The server stands behind the service line on the right side. They bounce the ball and hit it underarm, below waist height, diagonally into the opponent's left service box. Two attempts, just like tennis — a fault on the first means a second serve.
2
The return. The receiver must let the ball bounce once before hitting it back. Volleying the serve is not allowed — this is one of the most common beginner errors and the one that catches most tennis players out. The ball is returned over the net into any part of the opponents' court.
3
The rally. After the serve and return, anything goes. Both pairs move toward the net to take the attacking position. The ball can be played directly or after it bounces once. After a bounce, it can rebound off the back glass or lower side glass and still be in play — this is where the tactical depth of padel lives.
4
The back-glass retrieval. If you are pushed to the back by a deep ball or a lob, you can let the ball pass you, watch it bounce off the back glass, and play it back into court. This is the defining skill of padel and the thing that makes the sport unlike any other racket sport.
5
The point ends when a team hits the ball into the net, hits it out of the court without it bouncing, lets the ball bounce twice, or the ball hits the fence before bouncing during a serve.
The golden beginner rule
- In tennis: ball off the back wall = point lost. In padel: ball off the back wall = point continues. This single difference changes everything about how you play and how long rallies last.
5. How to get started with padel
The fastest route into padel is a beginner group session at a local club. Most clubs offer introductory sessions where a coach covers the rules, the serve and basic positioning before you start playing. Racket hire is usually available, so you do not need to buy anything upfront.
Your first session checklist
- Book a beginner group session or social doubles
- Hire a bat if you do not have one (most clubs offer this)
- Wear court shoes or trainers with lateral support — not running shoes
- Wear lightweight, breathable sports clothing
- Focus on keeping the ball in play, not power
- Talk to your partner and move as a pair
- How do I get started playing padel? First session checklist & rules basics
- Is padel easy to learn for beginners? What feels easy, what takes time
- How long does it take to learn padel? Realistic timeline
6. Your beginner padel journey
Follow this path from complete beginner to confident club player. Each step links to a dedicated guide.
1
Learn the basics
Rules, scoring, court layout and what to expect in session one
2
Understand the rules
Serving, scoring, wall play, 45 rule, egg rule and faults
3
Choose your kit
What you actually need, what you can borrow and what to buy first
4
Shop beginner padel apparel
Browse the Corcuera range designed for padel players
7. Equipment, clothing and costs
Padel is one of the most accessible racket sports to get into. For your first few sessions you need nothing more than court shoes and a racket — most clubs will hire one. Here is what a typical session actually costs in the UK:
| Cost | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court hire (full court) | £20–40/hour | Split four ways = £5–10 per person |
| Racket hire | £3–5 | Available at most clubs |
| Balls (one can) | £5–8 | Shared between four players |
| Total for first session | £8–15 per person | Including hire, before you own anything |
| First padel racket | £60–100 | Round shape, soft EVA core — do not spend more until level 2+ |
| Padel/clay-court shoes | £60–130 | Herringbone outsole for artificial turf |
- What equipment do you need to start playing padel?
- What padel racket should a beginner use?
- Padel shoes vs tennis shoes — what's the difference?
- Is padel expensive to get into?
- What should beginners wear to play padel?
Padel clothing by category
- Men's padel clothing — technical tees, hoodies, shorts and polos
- Women's padel clothing — women's-cut tees, crop hoodies, vests and skirts
- Padel t-shirts — breathable organic cotton and technical performance tees
- Padel gifts — caps, bags, bottles and kit for every budget
Ready to look the part?
Lightweight padel clothing designed for movement, comfort and understated style.
8. Five beginner padel mistakes to avoid
Most new players improve significantly faster when they focus on these five things.
Mistake 01
Trying to hit too hard
Padel rewards control over power. Aim for height, depth and consistent placement before going for winners.
Mistake 02
Staying stuck at the back
Good positioning means moving forward when the opportunity arises and taking the net with your partner.
Mistake 03
Treating the walls as the enemy
The glass is your friend. Once the ball bounces, let it come off the back wall and play it back into court rather than trying to intercept it early.
Mistake 04
Volleying the serve
The return of serve must bounce first. Volleying it out of the air is an immediate point loss — one of the rules that catches most tennis players out.
Mistake 05
Playing as two individuals
Padel is a doubles game. Talk to your partner, move in sync and cover the court as a unit.
9. Padel culture and community
Padel is social by design. The doubles format means every game involves four people. The relatively short learning curve means players of different abilities can share a court enjoyably. Most UK clubs now run regular open matches — where you book a single slot and the app matches you with three players at a similar level — making it easy to find a game even without a regular group.
- Why is padel such a social sport?
- Why is padel growing so fast in the UK?
- Padel etiquette and unwritten rules
- How to find padel partners at your level
10. Beginner padel FAQs
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed glass-walled court. The serve is underarm with two attempts, glass walls are part of play after a bounce, and scoring follows tennis. Most beginners can sustain a rally within their first session.
Is padel easy for beginners?
Yes. Most beginners can sustain a rally within their first session. The underarm serve removes the biggest technical barrier, the smaller court reduces physical demands, and the doubles format means you share the work with a partner.
How many serves do you get in padel?
Two — the same as tennis. A fault on the first serve means a second serve. A fault on the second serve loses the point. If the ball clips the net and lands correctly in the service box, it is a let and replayed on that same attempt.
How much does it cost to play padel?
Court hire in the UK typically ranges from £20–40 per hour for the full court. Split between four players in doubles, that is £5–10 per person per hour. With racket hire and a shared can of balls, expect £8–15 all-in for a first session.
What do I need for my first padel session?
Court shoes with lateral support (not running shoes), lightweight sports clothing, and a borrowed or hired racket. Most UK clubs offer racket hire for £3–5. You do not need to buy anything to try the sport.
Can I volley the serve in padel?
No. The return of serve must bounce once in the service box before you hit it. Volleying the serve out of the air is an immediate point loss. This is the rule that catches most tennis players out in their first padel session.
Is padel harder than tennis?
Padel is usually easier to start than tennis because the serve is underarm, the court is smaller and rallies are easier for beginners. Padel becomes more tactically complex as you improve because of the glass walls, positioning and partner movement.
How is padel different from squash?
Both are enclosed racket sports with wall play, but padel is always doubles, uses a lower-pressure rubber ball (not a hollow rubber squash ball), and the walls are only in play after the ball bounces on the court. In squash the front wall is the primary surface; in padel the back glass is a defensive resource. Padel scoring follows tennis; squash uses PAR scoring to 11.
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Both are doubles-friendly and more accessible than tennis, but they are completely different games. Padel uses glass walls, a rubber ball and an enclosed artificial turf court. Pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball on a small hard court with a non-volley zone (kitchen) either side of the net. Neither has walls in common with the other.
Where can I find a padel court near me?
Download the Playtomic app and search by location — it covers the majority of UK clubs. Our UK venue guides cover Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Birmingham in detail.
Continue learning
Padel clothing for beginners and beyond
Lightweight, breathable and designed for court movement — from first session to regular club player.
CPC 26 Collection
The modern Corcuera uniform.
Clean lines. Quiet confidence. Designed for padel and life around the court.
Inspired by Acapulco, 1969
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CPC Hyper Padel T-Shirt
Regular price £35.00 GBPRegular price -
CPC 26 On-Court Padel T-Shirt
Regular price £39.00 GBPRegular price -
CPC Windchecker Padel Softshell Gilet
Regular price From £39.00 GBPRegular price -
CPC 26 Padel Court Vest — Men's
Regular price £29.00 GBPRegular price
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How to Improve Your Padel Game for a Beginners ...
Playing a beginners padel tournament soon? Use this simple match plan: keep the ball in play, hit high-percentage shots, communicate, and win more points by reducing errors.
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Why Does Padel Have Walls?
Why does padel have walls? Discover how the enclosed court design shapes padel’s strategy, accessibility, and unique playing experience.
Why Does Padel Have Walls?
Why does padel have walls? Discover how the enclosed court design shapes padel’s strategy, accessibility, and unique playing experience.
