Padel is a racket sport usually played as doubles on an enclosed court. Players use perforated, stringless rackets, serve after a bounce at or below waist height, and can use the walls during rallies. A first coached session is a good way to learn the timing of those rebounds.
The court, serve and walls
A standard doubles court measures 20 × 10 metres. The serve goes diagonally into the receiving service box. During a rally, a ball returned into the opponents’ court must bounce on their floor before hitting their wall or fence. You may play a ball after it rebounds from your wall, before its second floor bounce.
The wrist cord must be worn. Scoring uses 15, 30, 40 and game, with the deuce procedure depending on the format. These basics come from the FIP Rules of Padel; ask the club which scoring format your session uses.
Learn the rebound before chasing power
At first, judging the glass can feel less familiar than hitting the ball. Ask your coach to demonstrate a simple back-wall rebound and practise it slowly. Recognising when you have time to let the ball come back is a useful early skill.
For a first session, aim for controlled rallies and clear communication with your partner. Tell them when you intend to take a ball between you. Winning a point with one hard shot teaches less about your new surroundings than keeping several manageable balls in play.
What to bring—and what to hire
- A racket with an intact wrist cord; ask whether hire is available.
- Padel balls, unless the lesson or booking supplies them.
- Court shoes suitable for the venue’s surface; ask the club what it requires.
- Comfortable sports clothing, water and weather-appropriate layers.
- Enough time to check in and understand the session format.
You do not need your own racket to find out whether you enjoy padel. Hiring also gives you a reference for a later purchase. Check its grip and general condition before playing.
Coming from tennis—or starting from nothing
Experience in another racket sport can help you read a ball, but the enclosed court and rebound timing still need practice. Tell the coach about your background so the lesson starts at the right point. There is no need to have played tennis first.
A first padel session is also not a test of whether you deserve an advanced racket. Choose equipment you can handle comfortably and judge your progress by the shots you can repeat, rather than the material label on the frame.
Choose your next step
After the introduction, ask about beginner groups, coached sessions and how the club matches playing levels. Confirm whether an open match expects you to know the serve, scoring and glass rebounds before joining.
When you are ready to buy, our first-racket guide explains a practical comparison. The grip guide covers fit and the wrist cord, while round, teardrop and diamond shapes help you read a specification without treating it as a skill ranking.
