How to play padel: a beginner's guide
The kit you need, the shots to learn first, where to stand and how to book your first game in the UK. For the serve, the walls and scoring, see our padel rules guide.
Padel in 30 seconds
Padel is played two against two on a 10 x 20 m court enclosed by glass and mesh. You serve underarm, the ball can bounce once and then come off the walls, and scoring works like tennis. It's quick to pick up because the ball is slower and the court is small. More in what is padel.
What kit you need
The LTA lists three essentials: a padel racket, padel balls and suitable court shoes. Comfortable sportswear does the rest.
| Kit | What to know |
|---|---|
| Racket | Solid, stringless, with holes. The LTA suggests a round racket for beginners because it's the most forgiving. Our picks: best rackets for beginners and rackets by budget. |
| Balls | Padel balls are slightly smaller and less pressurised than tennis balls, so they bounce less. Don't use tennis balls: they bounce too high off the turf and fly off the glass. A tube loses pressure once opened. |
| Shoes | Padel courts are textured turf, often with sand. Look for a herringbone or hybrid sole, and non-marking soles indoors. Running trainers grip poorly sideways. See best padel shoes. |
| Clothing | Any comfortable activewear. Avoid jeans, sandals and jewellery. |
How to hold the racket
HEAD recommends the continental grip for beginners: hold the racket as if you were shaking hands with the edge of the frame. It works for forehands, backhands and volleys without changing grip. Always wear the wrist cord.
The shots to learn first
There's no official order, but coaches broadly agree: get the basics consistent before trying the fancy overheads. The LTA tells beginners to focus on a consistent serve, letting the ball come off the back wall, and moving with your partner.
Start with these
- Forehand and backhand: your groundstrokes from the back. Hitting cross-court gives you more margin than down the line.
- Volley: hit the ball before it bounces, at the net. Keep the racket in front of you and block rather than swing.
- Lob: a high, deep ball over the net players that pushes them back and lets your team take the net. Short lobs get smashed, so aim deep.
- Back wall shot: let the ball pass you, wait for it to come off the glass, and hit it as it drops. Turn side-on, racket up, ball in front of your leading foot.
Learn these later
- Bandeja: a controlled, sliced overhead hit deep so the ball stays low off the glass. It keeps you at the net when someone lobs you.
- Víbora: an attacking overhead with sidespin that kicks low and sideways off the walls.
- Bajada: an aggressive downward shot after a lob has bounced high off the back glass.
- Chiquita: a soft, low ball from the back to the net players' feet, forcing a weak return.
- Smash "por tres" and "por cuatro": smashes that bounce out of the court over the side wall (por tres) or the back wall (por cuatro).
The LTA's free Padel Made Easy videos cover the forehand, back glass, volley and bandeja.
Where to stand
- Win the net: the LTA's first tactic is to take control of the net, where you have more options and can see the whole court. From the back you're defending.
- Move as a pair: stay side by side, move forward together and back together. A pair split front and back leaves a gap down the middle.
- Two positions: attacking, about 2 to 3 m from the net, or defending, behind the service line. Halfway between is the worst place to be.
- Talk: call "mine" or "yours". For balls down the middle there's no fixed rule, so agree with your partner before you start.
- Aim down the middle: it's safe and can make both opponents go for the ball, or neither.
Common beginner mistakes
- Hitting too hard. Most rallies are lost through mistakes, not won with winners. Control and placement beat power.
- Staying at the back instead of moving up to the net.
- Running at the back glass. It feels natural, but move back and slightly to the side, and leave space for the rebound.
- Panicking when the ball gets past you. Wait for it to come off the wall instead of lunging early.
- Touching the net with your racket or body, which loses the point.
- Short lobs, which give your opponents an easy smash.
Court etiquette
- Say hello to your opponents before you start and thank them afterwards.
- Keep the warm-up cooperative, not a mini match.
- Check the receiver is ready before you serve.
- On close calls, give your opponents the benefit of the doubt, or replay the point.
- Don't walk onto or behind a court mid-rally. Wait for a break.
- Use the doors when you change ends, and leave on time at the end of your slot.
Your first game: a quick checklist
- Find a venue on the LTA Padel court finder (search by postcode) or a booking app such as Playtomic or MATCHi.
- Book an intro session or a lesson if you're new. The LTA's coach finder lists accredited coaches.
- Ask whether racket and ball hire is included.
- Wear court shoes or trainers with good sideways grip.
- On your own? Look for social sessions such as an Americano, where partners and opponents rotate and everyone keeps an individual score.
FAQ
Is padel easy to learn?
It's quick to pick up: the ball is slower than in tennis, the court is small and the serve is underarm. Playing off the walls is the part that takes practice.
Can you play padel with two players?
Padel is a doubles game, so matches are two against two. Two players can still book a court to rally and practise shots.
Do I need lessons?
Not to start, but an intro session or lesson is a quick way to learn the walls and positioning. Many venues run beginner sessions.
- LTA Padel: equipment guide, balls and accessories and clothing and footwear
- LTA Padel: how to get started, skills for beginners, match tactics and tips and techniques
- LTA Padel: glossary
- LTA: summer tennis and padel activities (equipment hire)
- HEAD: how to play padel and beginner's guide to padel shots
- Padel Market: how to play padel
- Babolat: padel rules (positioning, net faults)
- The Padel School: back glass positioning
- Decathlon: what shoes to wear for padel and padel ball guide
- Red Bull: padel etiquette
- LTA Padel: find a court
Last checked: 1 November 2026