How to Play
Padel is a fast-paced, social racquet sport played in doubles on an enclosed court. It combines elements of tennis and squash, but is easier to learn and designed to keep rallies going longer. Most players are enjoying proper games within their first session.
The game is played with solid racquets and a low-compression ball, on a smaller court surrounded by glass and mesh walls that are part of play. The game emphasises teamwork, positioning, and smart shot selection rather than power.
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The Basics
Padel is always played two versus two. The court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, enclosed by glass and mesh walls which can be used after the ball bounces on the ground.
Points are scored using the same system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, with matches usually played as the best of three sets.
Using the Walls
After the ball has bounced once on your side, it can be played off the back or side walls, similar to squash.
Players can also hit the ball directly into the opponent’s walls, as long as it bounces on the opponent’s court first. This keeps rallies alive and makes padel highly strategic and fun for all skill levels.
Scoring a Point
You win a point if:
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The ball bounces twice on your opponent’s side
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Your opponent hits the ball out of the court on the full
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Your opponent hits the net or fence before the ball bounces
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The ball hits an opponent directly
Volleying (hitting the ball before it bounces) is allowed, except when returning a serve.
Is padel hard to learn?
No. Padel is designed to be beginner-friendly, with underarm serves, smaller courts, and longer rallies. Padel is popular with juniors, adults, and older players due to its low-impact nature and social format.