New to padel and not sure where to start? You are in the right place. This is your complete beginner's guide to Britain's fastest-growing sport, from the basic rules to the kit you need, with links to everything you need to get playing.
- Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court with glass walls you can play the ball off, a bit like a mix of tennis and squash.
- It is famously easy to pick up: gentle underarm serve, tennis-style scoring, and rallies that keep going thanks to the walls.
- All you need to start is a racket, some balls, comfortable clothing and court shoes, and three other players.
- Below we cover the essentials, then point you to our full guides on the rules, kit, ratings and why padel is so worth playing.
Padel has gone from a holiday curiosity to one of Britain's most popular sports in just a few years, and its biggest draw is how quickly anyone can start enjoying it. You do not need years of practice or expensive gear to have a genuinely fun, competitive game on day one. Here is everything a newcomer needs, broken into simple steps.
Everything You Need to Get Playing
Learn the rules
Padel is scored just like tennis, the serve is a gentle underarm shot, and the ball stays in play off the glass walls. The rules are simple once someone explains them properly.
Get your kit
You need surprisingly little: a racket, balls, comfortable sportswear and court shoes. Choosing the right beginner racket is the one decision worth getting right.
Understand your level
Once you are playing regularly, the LTA rating system tells you your standard on a 1.0 to 7.0 scale, so you can find matches and enter competitions at the right level.
Know why it is worth it
Great exercise, brilliantly sociable and easy on the body: there are plenty of reasons padel has taken off. Here is what makes it so worth playing.
So, What Is Padel?
Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. It borrows the scoring from tennis and the walls from squash, then makes both easier and more fun.
The serve is underarm, the racket is solid and easy to handle, and the glass walls keep the ball in play far longer than in tennis. That combination is why complete beginners and seasoned players can share a court and both enjoy a proper game.
See Padel in Action
Sometimes it is easier to watch than to read. The short video below walks you through a game of padel from start to finish. With its clear, step-by-step instructions, you will pick up the basic rules and how the scoring works in just a few minutes, then you can head to court and try it yourself.
Ready to Play? Find a Court
The best way to learn padel is to get on court and give it a go. Find a club near you, grab three friends, and start playing.
Find a Padel Court