Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world — and for good reason. It's easier to pick up than tennis, more social than squash, and wildly addictive from your very first rally. If you've been curious about padel but don't know where to start, this guide has everything you need.
What Is Padel?
Padel (sometimes spelled "pádel") is a racquet sport played in doubles on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court. It combines elements of tennis and squash — you use the walls, the scoring is the same as tennis, and the serve is underhand.
The smaller court and solid paddles (instead of strung racquets) make it much more accessible for beginners. You don't need a powerful serve or years of technique to enjoy competitive rallies from day one.
The Basic Rules
Court & Equipment
- Padel is always played in doubles (2 vs. 2)
- The court is 20m × 10m, enclosed by glass walls and metal mesh
- Players use solid paddles (no strings) and low-pressure tennis balls
- The ball can bounce off the walls — just like squash — but it must hit the floor first before hitting a wall on your side
Serving
- The serve must be underhand (the ball must be hit at or below waist level)
- You get two serves, like tennis
- The ball must bounce once on the floor before you hit it, and it must land in the diagonal service box
- The serve cannot hit the side wall directly (it can hit the back glass after bouncing)
Scoring
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:
- Points: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game
- Deuce at 40-40, with advantage play
- Sets: First to 6 games wins the set (with a tiebreak at 6-6)
- Match: Usually best of 3 sets
Key Rule: Using the Walls
This is what makes padel unique. After the ball bounces on the floor on your side, it can hit the glass walls and you can still play it. This leads to incredible rallies where the ball ricochets around the court. You can even run out of the court through the side doors to retrieve a lob!
Essential Beginner Tips
1. Positioning Is Everything
In padel, court position matters more than shot power. The ideal position is both players at the net. The team that controls the net usually wins the point. When you're pushed back, look for a lob or a low shot to regain net position.
2. Keep It Low
High balls give your opponents easy volleys. Aim to keep the ball low over the net, especially when you're hitting from the back of the court. A low, slow ball is harder to attack than a fast, high one.
3. Communication
Since you're always playing doubles, talk to your partner constantly. Call "mine" or "yours" on every ball. Decide before the point who covers the middle. Great padel partnerships are built on communication, not individual skill.
4. The Lob Is Your Best Friend
When your opponents are at the net and you're pinned back, a deep lob over their heads is the safest and most effective shot. It pushes them back and gives you time to move forward.
How to Find Your First Match
The biggest barrier for beginners isn't learning the rules — it's finding people to play with. Here's how:
Use Wapp to Find Padel Partners
Wapp shows you padel games and teams near you on a map. You can find open sessions that welcome beginners, join existing groups, or create your own game and let nearby players discover it. It's the fastest way to go from "I want to try padel" to actually being on the court.
Book a Court and Bring Friends
Most padel facilities let you book a court for 90 minutes. Grab 3 friends (remember, it's always doubles), rent paddles from the facility, and just start playing. The rules are simple enough to learn in 5 minutes.
Join a Clinic or Beginner Session
Many padel clubs offer beginner clinics — usually 1–2 hours of instruction followed by supervised match play. This is ideal if you want proper technique from the start. Clubs in Madrid, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, and London all offer these regularly.
Padel is growing because it's fun from the very first point. You don't need to spend months learning before you can have competitive rallies. So grab a paddle, find a court, and get out there.
