What is padel? Rules, gear and how to start

Padel is a racket sport usually played by four people on an enclosed court with a net, glass walls and metal fencing. It combines some familiar elements of tennis with a unique feature: after the ball bounces, it can rebound from the surrounding walls and remain in play.

A standard padel court measures 20 × 10 metres, and most matches are played as doubles. Players use solid rackets without strings, the serve is underhand, and the scoring system is similar to tennis.

That combination makes padel relatively easy to start but surprisingly difficult to master.

If you are wondering what padel is, how the rules work, what equipment you need or how to play your first match, this guide covers the essentials.

What does padel mean?

The simplest padel meaning is: padel is an enclosed-court racket sport in which two teams hit a ball over a net and can use the surrounding walls during rallies.

It is sometimes described as a mix of tennis and squash because it uses a net like tennis while allowing balls to rebound from walls. However, padel is a separate sport with its own rules, tactics, court and equipment.

The main characteristics are easy to recognise:

• padel is normally played as doubles
• the court is enclosed by glass walls and metal fencing
• players use solid rackets instead of stringed tennis rackets
• serves are played underhand
• the ball can remain in play after rebounding from the walls
• positioning and teamwork are just as important as power

The English name of the sport is padel. Although you may occasionally see “paddle tennis” used online, paddle tennis is technically a different sport.

Where did padel come from?

Modern padel was created in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera. He did not have enough space at his home for a full-size tennis court, so he created a smaller enclosed court measuring approximately 20 × 10 metres. The walls surrounding the court became part of the game rather than simply a barrier.

Padel later reached Spain in the early 1970s and also became popular in Argentina. From there, the sport expanded throughout Europe, Latin America and eventually many other parts of the world. Today, padel courts, clubs, leagues and tournaments can be found in a growing number of countries.

How is padel played?

Padel is normally played by four players: two against two. Each pair occupies one half of the court. The aim is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponents’ side in a way that prevents them from making a legal return.

A point begins with an underhand serve. After the serve has been returned, players may:

• hit the ball after one bounce
• volley the ball before it touches the ground
• allow the ball to bounce and then rebound from a wall before returning it

The rally continues until one team fails to return the ball legally. This is where padel begins to feel very different from tennis.

A ball that looks impossible to reach may bounce off the back glass and return towards you, giving you another opportunity to play it. Learning when to hit the ball immediately and when to let the glass help you is one of the most important skills in padel.

Padel court size and layout

A standard padel court measures 20 metres long by 10 metres wide. The court is divided in half by a net and enclosed by walls and fencing.

The glass walls are not simply there to stop the ball leaving the court. They are an active part of the game. If your opponent hits the ball onto your side and it bounces before hitting the back glass, you can still return it before its second bounce.

Experienced players deliberately use the glass when defending. For beginners, this often feels unusual during the first match. After a few sessions, it becomes one of the most enjoyable parts of the sport.

Basic padel rules

You do not need to memorise an entire rulebook before your first match. These basic padel rules are enough to get started.

1. Padel is normally played in doubles

Standard padel is a four-player game with two players on each team. There are singles variations and narrower singles courts in some locations, but doubles is the standard format.

2. Every point begins with an underhand serve

The server must first bounce the ball on the ground. The ball is then struck at or below waist height and played diagonally into the opponent’s service box. The server must have at least one foot in contact with the ground when hitting the ball. Unlike tennis, there is no overhead power serve.

3. You get a second serve after a first-service fault

If the first serve is a fault, the player normally gets a second attempt. The serve must bounce inside the correct diagonal service box.

4. The return of serve must bounce first

The receiving player must allow the serve to bounce before returning it. After the return of serve, players may volley the ball.

5. The ball can only bounce once

You must return the ball before it bounces for a second time on your side.

6. The walls are part of the game

After the ball has bounced correctly on your side, it may rebound from the glass and still be played. This is one of the defining differences between padel and tennis.

7. The ball must normally bounce before hitting the opponent’s wall

You cannot simply hit the ball directly into an opponent’s wall and expect the point to continue. Your shot must first land legally inside your opponent’s court. After bouncing, it may then hit the wall or other permitted parts of the enclosure.

8. Players must not touch the net during a live point

Touching the net while the ball is in play can result in losing the point.

How does scoring work in padel?

Traditional padel scoring is very similar to tennis. The standard sequence is:

Games are grouped into sets. A standard set is normally won by the first team to reach six games with the required advantage. At 6–6, a tie-break may be used depending on the competition format.

Some clubs and tournaments use alternative scoring systems to make matches faster. For example, you may encounter a deciding point rather than traditional advantage scoring. If you are joining an organised competition, check the tournament rules before starting.

You can browse upcoming padel tournaments on PADO to see different competitive formats and events.

What equipment do you need for padel?

One of the advantages of starting padel is that you do not need much equipment. For a first match, you mainly need:

• a padel racket
• padel balls
• comfortable sports clothing
• suitable court shoes

Many padel clubs rent rackets, so there is no need to buy expensive equipment before you know whether you enjoy the sport.

Padel racket

A padel racket looks quite different from a tennis racket. It has no strings, a solid hitting surface, multiple holes, a short handle and a wrist strap.

Padel rackets come in different shapes, weights, balances and materials. You will commonly see three general shapes: round rackets usually prioritise control and have a forgiving sweet spot; teardrop rackets aim for a balance between control and power; diamond-shaped rackets generally place more emphasis on attacking power and are commonly associated with more experienced players.

For your first sessions, control and comfort are normally more useful than maximum power.

Padel balls

Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls. However, they are manufactured specifically for the sport and behave slightly differently. When possible, use balls designed for padel rather than automatically using tennis balls.

Padel shoes

A beginner does not necessarily need to buy dedicated padel shoes before a first casual session. However, appropriate court shoes become more important if you play regularly. Padel involves rapid changes of direction, short sprints, lateral movement, stopping and starting, and turning close to the walls, so grip and lateral stability matter. Always check the footwear requirements of the club where you are playing.

Padel vs tennis: what is the difference?

Padel and tennis have obvious similarities. Both use rackets, a ball, a net and a related scoring system. But playing them feels quite different.

One of the biggest differences is the role of power. Power certainly matters in padel, especially at an advanced level, but simply hitting every ball as hard as possible is rarely a good strategy. Control, placement, patience and court position often matter more.

Padel vs pickleball: are they the same?

No. Padel and pickleball are different racket sports. Both have become popular partly because they can be more accessible to new players than some traditional racket sports, but the courts and rules are very different.

Padel uses an enclosed 20 × 10 metre court, glass walls and fencing, a padel ball similar in appearance to a tennis ball, and wall rebounds during rallies. Pickleball is played on a smaller open court and uses a perforated plastic ball.

If you see a court surrounded by high glass walls, you are almost certainly looking at a padel court rather than a pickleball court.

Is padel easy to learn?

Padel is relatively accessible for beginners. You can understand the core concept quickly: serve underhand, hit the ball over the net, allow no more than one bounce, and use the walls when necessary. Most beginners can begin playing rallies during their first session.

That does not mean padel is an easy sport to master. As your level improves, the game becomes increasingly tactical. You need to learn where to stand, how to move together with your partner, when to approach the net, when to stay back, how to defend using the glass, when to play a lob, how to volley, how to control overhead shots, and how to create space rather than simply hitting harder.

This large gap between being easy to start and difficult to master is part of padel’s appeal.

If you want to improve faster, you can find a padel coach on PADO and filter trainers by location, language and playing level.

How to start playing padel

Step 1: Find a padel court

The first thing you need is a court. With PADO, you can search for available padel courts and booking options in supported cities. If you are in Poland, for example, you can explore padel courts in Warsaw, compare clubs and find available places to play.

Step 2: Find three other players

A normal padel match requires four players. Invite three friends, colleagues or other players from your club. Do not have a full group? That is common — padel clubs and communities frequently organise social matches and tournament formats where players can meet new partners and opponents.

Step 3: Rent a racket

For your first game, renting a racket is often the best option. You can try the sport without spending money on equipment you may later decide is not right for your playing style. Once you have played several times, choosing your own racket becomes much easier.

Step 4: Learn the serve

Bounce the ball, hit it at or below waist height and send it diagonally into the correct service box. Do not worry about serving hard — consistency is far more useful when you are starting.

Step 5: Learn to use the glass

New players often rush forward and try to hit every ball before it reaches the wall. Resist that instinct. Sometimes allowing the ball to bounce off the back glass gives you much more time and a better position for the return.

Step 6: Play

You do not need perfect technique before joining a match. Playing is one of the fastest ways to understand how the court, walls and teamwork fit together.

Beginner padel tips

Your first few matches become much easier if you follow a handful of basic principles.

• Focus on control, not power. A controlled ball that stays in play is more useful than a powerful shot that hits the glass or fence.
• Move with your partner. If one player stays at the back while the other stands close to the net, a large gap appears between you, and opponents can exploit that space.
• Use the lob. A good lob pushes your opponents away from the net and gives you time to move forward. It is a tactical tool, not just a defensive one.
• Let the wall help you. When defending near the back of the court, letting the ball rebound from the glass can make difficult shots easier.
• Communicate. Use simple calls such as “mine”, “yours”, “leave” and “switch”, especially when the ball travels through the middle of the court.
• Avoid staying in the middle of nowhere. Standing halfway between the baseline and the net is hard to defend, because balls may land at your feet. Teams usually defend from deeper positions and attack from closer to the net.

Why is padel so popular?

The growth of padel worldwide is not caused by one single factor. Several characteristics make the sport attractive to new players.

• It is social. Padel is primarily played in doubles. Four people share a compact court, so the game naturally creates interaction between players.
• Beginners can start quickly. The underhand serve removes one of the biggest technical barriers found in tennis, and the smaller court means beginners do not need to cover huge distances immediately.
• Rallies can last longer. The walls keep balls alive that would otherwise end a point, which means more touches of the ball for everyone on court.
• It works for different levels. Padel can be enjoyed casually, but it also has substantial technical and tactical depth.
• Clubs create communities. Regular games often lead to groups of players who organise matches, leagues and events together.

What is Americano in padel?

Americano is a popular social competition format in which players rotate through a series of short matches. Depending on the exact format, partners may change between rounds and players collect points individually.

This makes Americano useful when not everyone arrives with a permanent partner, when players want to meet new people, when a club wants to organise several short matches, or when a group wants a social alternative to a traditional knockout tournament.

There are also formats such as Mexicano, Winner’s Court and standard doubles tournaments. You can check current padel tournaments to discover available events and formats.

Do you need lessons before playing padel?

No. You can absolutely play padel without taking lessons first — a casual match with friends is enough to discover whether you enjoy the sport.

However, even one beginner lesson can help you understand court positioning, how to use the glass, basic forehand and backhand technique, serving, volleys and how to move with a partner. This can prevent you from developing habits that become harder to change later.

If you prefer structured instruction, browse padel coaches and look for someone who teaches beginners.

How long is a padel match?

There is no single fixed duration. The length depends on the scoring format, the players’ level, how close the match is, whether you play sets or timed rounds, and the tournament format.

For recreational padel, players often book courts for a fixed time slot rather than worrying about completing a formal competition match. If you are playing your first game, simply check how long your booking lasts.

Is padel good exercise?

Padel involves constant short movements around the court: accelerating, stopping suddenly, changing direction, rotating, reaching for volleys, playing overhead shots and repeatedly moving between defensive and attacking positions.

How physically demanding the session feels depends heavily on playing level, rally length and match intensity. Beginners can play at a relatively relaxed pace, while advanced competitive padel can be very demanding.

How many people do you need for padel?

For standard padel, you need four people, with two players forming each team. That does not mean you need to arrive with three friends already organised: open matches, club groups, tournaments and padel communities help individual players find others at a similar level.

Can you play padel singles?

Padel is primarily a doubles sport, and standard courts are designed for two players on each side. Singles padel does exist, and some venues have narrower courts specifically designed for one-on-one play. However, if someone simply says they are going to play padel, they usually mean a doubles match.

Ready to play padel?

Padel is simple enough to enjoy during your first session but deep enough to keep learning for years. You do not need expensive equipment or advanced racket-sport experience. Start with the basics: find a court, bring three other players, rent a racket if necessary, learn the underhand serve, keep the ball in play and let the glass work for you. Then play.

Playing in Poland? Explore padel courts in Warsaw, including clubs, available courts, coaches, communities and tournaments.