What Is Padel?
Padel is a doubles racquet sport played on an enclosed court roughly one-third the size of a tennis court. It blends elements of tennis and squash — you use solid, stringless racquets (called paddles), the scoring system mirrors tennis, and — crucially — the glass and metal mesh walls are live playing surfaces. Balls can be played off the walls, which is what makes the game so tactically rich and immediately fun for beginners.
Originating in Mexico in the late 1960s and exploding in popularity across Spain and Latin America, padel has now spread rapidly throughout Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Courts are opening in cities worldwide, and for good reason: the game is accessible, social, and genuinely addictive.
The Court
A standard padel court measures 20 metres long by 10 metres wide, enclosed by a combination of glass walls (at the back and sides) and metal mesh fencing above them. Key court features:
- A net divides the court in the middle, similar to tennis.
- Service boxes are marked on each side of the net.
- The back walls are typically 3–4 metres of solid glass.
- The side walls have a combination of glass at the bottom and wire mesh above.
Understanding the wall geometry is essential — learning how balls rebound differently off back glass versus side mesh is one of padel's core skills.
Basic Rules
- Serving: The serve is always underarm. The server must bounce the ball and strike it at or below hip level. The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box.
- Wall play: After the ball bounces once on your side, it may hit a wall before you play it back. If the ball bounces and then goes over the wall or through the metal gate openings (where present), it is still in play in certain circumstances — a quirky rule unique to padel.
- Scoring: Identical to tennis — 15, 30, 40, game. Sets are first to six games. Tie-breaks follow standard tennis rules.
- Let serves: If a serve clips the net and lands in the correct box, it's replayed — exactly as in tennis.
- Faults: Serving into the net, outside the service box, or above hip height results in a fault. Two faults in a row is a double fault.
Tactical Fundamentals
Control the Net
In padel, the pair that controls the net wins the majority of points. Moving forward after a good shot and establishing position at the net is the central tactical theme of the game. Beginners who learn this early progress much faster.
Use the Walls Creatively
Don't be afraid of the walls — embrace them. A well-played vibora (a slice smash directed into the side wall) or a bandeja (a contained overhead played to keep net position) are signature padel shots that use the walls to your advantage. Practise hitting purposefully into the back glass and watch how your opponents struggle to return deep wall balls.
Keep the Ball Low
High, loopy balls in padel give the opponent time to set up and smash. Keep your shots low and angled. A low, fast ball into the corner is far more effective than a high defensive lob that your opponents can punish.
Play as a Pair
Padel is fundamentally a doubles game. Communication with your partner — calling balls, deciding who takes the middle — is as important as individual technique. Pairs that move together, defending and attacking as a unit, consistently outplay technically superior but poorly coordinated opponents.
Getting Started
Most padel clubs offer beginner group sessions or introductory clinics. A padel paddle, a pair of court shoes (tennis shoes work fine to start), and a willingness to embrace the walls is all you need. The learning curve is gentle — most beginners are rallying and enjoying competitive points within their first session.