How to Play Padel

Never played padel before? No worries! Padel is a fun, easy-to-learn sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. You usually play doubles (two vs two) on a smaller court surrounded by glass walls and mesh fencing. You use a short, solid racket and a low-pressure tennis-style ball. The aim is simple: hit the ball over the net and make it difficult for your opponents to return it.

The really fun part? You can use the walls! The ball can bounce off the glass or mesh during a rally, so you don't have to stop playing when it hits the wall. You can let the ball bounce and then play it back, or use the walls to create tricky shots. The scoring is similar to tennis, but the smaller court and walls make padel feel different — and it's surprisingly easy to get into a rally even if you've never played a racket sport before.

The best way to learn is to grab a racket, get on court and have a go! Padel is social, active and great for all ages and abilities.

Padel in 5 Rules

1. Get the ball over the net
The ball must go over the net and land in your opponent’s court.

2. Let it bounce
The ball can bounce once on your side before you return it. You can’t hit it after it has bounced twice.

3. Use the walls
After the ball bounces, it can hit the glass or fencing and you can still play it. That’s where padel gets really fun!

4. Serve underarm
Serves are made underarm, after the ball has bounced, and must land diagonally in the opposite service box.

5. Play to win the point
If your opponents miss the ball, hit it out, or it bounces twice on their side, you win the point. Scoring is similar to tennis — 15, 30, 40, game.