How to play padel, explained simply
The basics of padel how to play it well from day one: the underhand serve, tennis scoring, the walls, and where to stand on court.
- Doubles only, two against two on a 10x20m court
- Serve underhand after one bounce, below your waist
- Score like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game
- Play the ball off the back and side glass
Start with the serve
The serve is where every point in how to play padel starts. You bounce the ball once behind the service line, then hit it underhand at or below your waist into the diagonal box. No overhead motion, no power serve, and you get two attempts, same as tennis. Because the serve is gentle, the returner almost always gets it back, so the rally begins instead of ending on an ace. Nail this one thing and you can play a real point on day one.
Use the walls, do not fear them
This is the part that separates padel from tennis. A ball that flies past you off the back glass is still live, so you turn, let it bounce off the wall, and play it back. Side walls count too. New players panic and let those balls go, but reading the rebound is how you go from just keeping it in to actually building a point. Give yourself room off the glass, wait for the ball to drop, and the shot becomes easy.
Position beats power
On a court this small, where you stand matters more than how hard you hit. You and your partner move together, usually side by side, and you win points by taking the net and forcing a weak lob. Big swings just send the ball flying off the back glass and straight back to your opponents. So playing padel ball smartly comes down to control and patience, not muscle. Slow hands and good feet win far more points than a big arm.
HELP
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play padel for the first time?
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Start simple. Padel is doubles, so grab three people and a 10x20m court. Serve underhand after one bounce, score like tennis, and remember the ball stays live off the walls. Most first-timers are rallying within their first session.
How to play padel tennis if you already play tennis?
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The scoring and most strokes carry straight over, so tennis players pick it up fast. The two new habits are serving underhand and playing the ball off the glass instead of chasing it down. Give yourself a couple of sessions to stop swinging so hard.
What are the basic rules for playing padel?
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You serve underhand and diagonally after one bounce, you score with the tennis system, and the ball can rebound off the back and side walls and stay in play. It is always doubles. Those four rules cover almost every point you will play.
How to play padel against tennis players who hit hard?
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Slow the game down and make the walls work for you. Tennis players instinctively hit hard and flat, which sends the ball off your back glass right back to them. Lob over their heads, aim soft shots into the glass corners, and let their own power create your openings. Patience wins these matches more than pace.
How to play padel ball off the wall?
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Do not swing at the wall itself. Let the ball pass you, bounce, come off the glass, then hit it as it drops back into the court. Wait for it, give yourself space, and treat the rebound like a normal groundstroke. It feels strange for a week, then it feels natural.
How long does it take to learn padel?
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One session to have fun, a few months to feel competent. Padel how to play basics like the serve and scoring click on day one. Reading the walls and moving well with a partner is what takes longer. That gentle learning curve is why so many people stick with it.