Padel Basics for Beginners: Rules, Tips & Preparation for Your First Match

Padel is quick to learn, fun, and truly suitable for everyone. That's why Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in Europe. If you haven't tried it yet, it's high time you did. In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know as a beginner: from the rules to the equipment. Our Padel expert Lana also gives you helpful tips for your first game.

Woman playing padel with Crivit padel racket.

Two women playing padel on a blue court, with the net in the foreground.

What Is Padel Anyway?

Padel is a mix of tennis and squash and is usually played in doubles on a smaller court surrounded by glass and grid walls. The special thing about it: The walls can be included in the game and can either be used to play back or for clever defence. Tactics are just as important as skill and technique. The result is a dynamic game that is exciting and beginner-friendly—or as Lana explains: "It's not about performance, it's not about precision—it's about getting into the game and experiencing a new feeling."

Woman in purple dress playing padel on a blue court.

The Basic Rules of Padel—Simply Explained

So that you don't find yourself standing on the court without a plan for your first match, here is an overview of the most important rules:

Doubles: Padel is usually played as doubles, i.e., 2 against 2.
Scoring: Points are counted—similar to tennis: 15, 30, 40, and game win. Usually 6 games are played. The winner must have a lead of 2 games.
Service Game: The serve is made below the hip and diagonally into the opponent's service court. The ball must bounce once after the serve before it hits the wall or goes out of bounds.
Using the Wall: The walls may be included in the game—but do not have to be. The ball can therefore be played either directly over the floor or over the wall to the opponent. The back walls may also be used.

Padel Technique: The Basics for Your First Match

"Padel doesn't start with perfect strokes—it starts with the first attempt," says Padel expert Lana, who is a national Padel player herself. Nevertheless, it helps to know the basic technique. This will help you progress faster and have even more fun on the court.

How to Grip Your Racket Correctly—the Continental Grip

Many beginners grip their racket too tightly or incorrectly—this inhibits manoeuvrability and control. How to do it right: "Grip your racket as if you were giving someone a relaxed handshake—loose, neutral and without firm pressure," explains Lana. This is called a continental grip. Make sure you don't bend your wrist. She also advises: "Always position the racket slightly diagonally in front of your body—this ensures stability, good control and allows you to react quickly, even to unexpected balls."

Woman in black padel dress with black padel racket on blue court.

The Ready Position—Your Starting Point for Padel

Your posture determines how quickly you can react to the next ball. The ready position is your neutral starting position—so you are ready for any playing situation. "Bend your knees slightly, place your feet hip-width apart and shift your weight onto the balls of your feet. Hold the racket in front of your chest and look forwards—that way you'll always be ready for the next shot," demonstrates Padel pro Lana. She also recommends: "Move with small tapping steps instead of big jumps to keep you fast and agile. This light, controlled footwork helps you to be more responsive to your opponent's shots."

The Lob—Tactically Clever from the Defence

"To keep the upper hand in the game, you not only need fast legs, but also clever shots." Lana knows this all too well from her games. "A lob is a high, long shot that flies over your opponent and lands in the back of the court. It gives you time to reposition yourself and puts your opponent under pressure." This allows you to quickly regain control of the rally.

Woman playing padel with a black racket and a navy blue sports dress.

Soft Forehand & Backhand—Controlled Instead of Powerful

These tactical shots only work with the right technique, however: "A distinction is made between forehand and backhand." You should bear the following in mind: "With the forehand, you open the racket slightly and hit the ball in front of your body. The movement is from bottom to top—this is how you get the ball over the net safely and with control." "With the backhand, you can use both hands, similar to a tennis slice. It's important to make a short, controlled lunge so that you hit the ball safely." An extra tip from the expert: "Take some time at the beginning to practise your forehand and backhand alone against the wall. Play the ball against it again and again with soft, controlled strokes—this will give you a better feel for the right hitting point and timing."

Padel Equipment: The Equipment for Your First Match

You don't need much for your first match—but the right equipment still makes a difference. This is part of the basic Padel equipment:

The Padel Racket: "A Padel racket is very different from a classic tennis racket: it is more compact and has a closed hitting surface with holes rather than a string. This makes it particularly easy to control—a real advantage, especially at the beginning." You really shouldn't make any compromises when it comes to the racket.
The Balls for Padel: Even if the balls look like tennis balls, there are significant differences. "The balls for Padel are softer and have less pressure. This slows the game down a little—perfect for learning the first rallies in peace."
The Right Clothing: For a good game, you need to be able to move properly. You need comfortable clothing that supports this. Lana knows: "You'll be moving around a lot and you're guaranteed to work up a sweat. Breathable clothing makes the game much more comfortable."
Good Training Shoes: "Training shoes with cushioning and a non-slip sole are completely sufficient—you need grip above all, because Padel is played on artificial turf with sand," says Lana. "Slipping is almost part of the game and the right shoe gives you more security."

Man and woman with padel rackets on blue court, ready to play.

Start Your First Padel Match with the Right Basics

Padel is more than just a trend—it's a thrilling sport that combines technique, tactics, and team spirit in a unique way. With the right basics, a relaxed approach, and the right equipment, you'll be well prepared to get started on the court yourself. Remember: nobody plays like a pro in their first match—but with a little practice, a secure grip, the right posture, and simple moves such as the lob, forehand, and backhand, you'll have the best prerequisites for quick success. So: grab a racket, find a match—and discover how much fun Padel really is!

Frequently asked questions about padel for beginners

To get started with padel, you will need a special padel racket, suitable padel balls (with less pressure than tennis balls), comfortable sportswear and training shoes with good grip and cushioning.

The game is played like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game win. A match usually consists of two winning sets. Within a game, a team needs a two-point lead to win.

Use the Continental Grip - grip the club as if you were shaking hands. The grip remains loose, the wrist stable. This allows you to react quickly and hit with control.

Yes, padel is particularly beginner-friendly. The rules are simple, the technique is easy to learn, and the smaller court means you can have quick rallies - ideal for fun from the very first game.

Woman in sportswear holding a padel ball through a net, blue court in the background.

Profile of padel expert Lana

Name: Lana Büttner

Age: 33 years

Profession: Functional health coach, competitive athlete, national padel player

Sporting qualifications:

Former tennis player
National padel player for the German national team
Holistic training to become a Functional Health Coach

That's what makes Lana special: Lana loves to accompany people holistically on their path to better health, well-being and performance. At the same time, she lives her passion for padel, trains intensively and plays in the German national padel team.