How to Get Started with Padel: Your Ultimate Guide
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Beginner guide · Updated June 2026
Getting started with padel is easier than most racket sports. The underarm serve removes the biggest barrier, the enclosed court keeps the ball in play longer, and most beginners are sustaining rallies within their first session. You need a venue, borrowed racket and comfortable sports shoes. Everything else follows from there.
Getting started: step by step
Find a court near you
Search Playtomic, Google Maps or check our UK venue guides. Most clubs let you book court time without membership. Borrow rackets from the club for your first session.
Bring three other people
Padel is always doubles — you need four players. Drag three friends who’ve never played either. Learning together is more fun and nobody feels self-conscious.
Learn the serve before you arrive
The serve is underarm — bounce the ball once and hit it below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box. That’s it. No overhead, no toss, no problem.
Understand the glass is your friend
After the ball bounces, it can hit the glass wall and stay in play. You can play off the back glass. Don’t panic — use it. That’s half the game.
Book a beginner clinic for session two
One free-form session is fun but teaches bad habits. A coach-led beginner clinic (usually 60–90 min, £10–25/person) will fix your technique before it cements. Most UK clubs run weekly beginner sessions.
The basic rules you need to know
What you need before you walk onto court
- Scoring: same as tennis — 15, 30, 40, game. Sets to 6, tiebreak at 6-6.
- Serve: underarm, bounce the ball once, hit below waist height, cross-court into the service box.
- Glass in play: after the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the glass and you can still play it. If it bounces twice, you lose the point.
- Always doubles: 4 players, 2 per side. No singles.
- The net: don’t touch it. Ball must go over it (or you can play through the side gap after it’s bounced on your side).
What equipment do you need?
For your first session: nothing except sports clothing and court shoes. Borrow everything else from the club.
When you decide to play regularly:
- Padel racket: not a tennis racket — it’s solid with perforations. Beginner rackets from £30–70. Our 2026 racket guide covers what to buy.
- Shoes: court shoes or non-marking trainers. Running shoes have no lateral support and increase injury risk on the quick sideways movements padel demands.
- Padel balls: similar to tennis but with slightly less pressure. One can per session.
- Clothing: any comfortable sportswear. Browse Corcuera padel clothing if you want something built for court culture.
The three shots every beginner needs
You don’t need to learn everything at once. These three shots cover 90% of beginner padel:
- The serve: underarm, controlled, cross-court. Accuracy beats power every time.
- The lob: a high, deep ball over your opponents when you’re in trouble. The most important defensive shot in padel — it resets the rally and buys time.
- The volley: punching the ball at net before it bounces, using the continental grip (like holding a hammer). Getting to the net and staying there is the key to winning in padel.
- Padel rules 2026: the complete guide
- What are the main shots in padel?
- How to hold a padel racket: the continental grip
- What level am I? Padel levels explained
- Complete beginner guide — all the basics in one place
Look the part from session one
Corcuera padel clothing — lightweight, breathable and built for court and clubhouse. Free UK & EU shipping.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get started playing padel?
Find a court via Playtomic or Google Maps, book a 90-minute session with three friends, borrow rackets from the club and just play. The underarm serve and glass walls make it accessible immediately. Book a beginner clinic for session two to fix technique early.
Do I need to know the rules before playing padel?
You need the basics: underarm serve, glass in play after a bounce, tennis scoring, always doubles. That’s enough for your first session. You'll pick up the rest naturally within two or three sessions.
What equipment do I need to start padel?
For your first session: just sports clothing and court shoes. The club will lend rackets and provide balls. When you commit to playing regularly, invest in a beginner padel racket (£30–70), court shoes with lateral support, and a can of padel balls.
Is padel hard to learn?
No. The underarm serve is far easier than a tennis serve, and the smaller enclosed court means more of the ball stays in play. Most beginners are sustaining rallies within their first session. The tactical depth takes much longer to develop, but it’s enjoyable at every stage.
Can I play padel without a partner?
Not in the traditional sense — padel is always doubles with four players. However, most clubs run open mix-in sessions where you’re matched with other players. Check Playtomic’s match-finder to find games near you.