Padel for dummies: complete guide to get started

What is padel and why is it so successful?

Padel is a racket sport derived from tennis, played on a smaller court surrounded by glass walls and mesh fences. Born in Mexico, it conquered Spain before becoming a true global phenomenon.

The main advantage of this discipline lies in its accessibility. Unlike tennis or squash, which require a long technical learning curve, the concept of padel for dummies shows that a complete beginner can exchange balls and feel pleasure from the very first minutes of play.

In addition, it is an extremely friendly activity since it must be played in doubles, thus promoting communication, team spirit, and moments of sharing on the court.

The essential rules so you don't get lost

To start your first match serenely, you only need to remember a few very simple basic rules.

The underhand serve

In padel, the serve is always performed from below, also called an underhand serve. The player must bounce the ball behind their service line, then hit it below waist level. The ball must then cross to land in the opponent's diagonal service box.

Using glass and fences

This is the great peculiarity of this sport. The ball can only bounce once on the ground in your camp before being returned. On the other hand, after hitting the ground on your side, it can hit one or more glass walls (or fences) before you hit it.

You also have the right to return the ball directly by projecting it against the glass of your own camp so that it passes over the net. Be careful though: if the opponent's ball hits your glass walls or fences directly without having touched the ground beforehand, it is considered a fault.

Scoring system

The system is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. In the event of a tie at 40-40, depending on the game structures, either the classic advantage is used (you must win two points in a row) or the famous decisive point (golden point) where the team that wins the next point directly takes the game.

The necessary equipment for your first game

No need to ruin yourself for your first training session. The beginner player's gear remains very limited and clubs generally offer equipment rental.

• The racket: It is smaller than a tennis racket, has no strings, and features a surface pierced with small holes. To start, prefer a round-shaped racket, which offers better control and a wider ideal hitting zone (sweet spot).
• The balls: They look just like tennis balls, but they are slightly larger and have lower pressure, which slows down the pace of exchanges.
• The shoes: Classic sports shoes or tennis shoes with good grip on the ground will do perfectly to avoid slipping on the sandy turf of the courts.

A few simple tips to progress quickly

To quickly leave the status of perfect beginner and surprise your playing partners, try applying these two simple tactical tips.

First, learn to let the ball pass. The natural reflex from tennis is to want to hit the ball as quickly as possible. In padel, it is often smarter to let it bounce against the back glass to recover it at a slowed speed, which offers you a much better hitting position.

Second, look for consistency rather than power. Since the court is closed, an overly powerful smash often returns very quickly to your camp if your opponents position themselves well. Content yourself with placing the ball in free zones, aiming at your rivals' feet, or using the lob to push them back to the back of the court.