Padel FAQ

Padel (also known as padel tennis) is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton. It is played on a smaller, enclosed court with glass walls and metallic mesh fencing. Players use solid, perforated rackets (no strings) and a depressurized tennis ball. The sport is always played in doubles (2 vs 2), making it inherently social and accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

Padel was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico. He adapted his squash court by adding walls and creating new rules. The sport quickly spread to Spain in the 1970s, where it became hugely popular. Today, padel is played in over 90 countries worldwide, with an estimated 25 million players globally. It is the fastest-growing sport in the United States and many European countries.

Padel differs from tennis in several key ways: (1) The court is about 25% smaller and enclosed by walls, (2) The walls are in play — you can hit the ball off the glass walls, similar to squash, (3) Serves must be underhand, (4) Rackets are solid with no strings and have holes for air resistance, (5) It is always played in doubles, (6) The ball has slightly less pressure than a tennis ball, and (7) The scoring system is the same, but the strategy is very different due to the walls.

Despite the similar names, padel and paddle tennis (platform tennis) are different sports. Paddle tennis is played on a smaller court with a solid paddle and a depressurized tennis ball, typically on an elevated platform with chicken wire fencing. Padel uses glass walls, a different racket design with holes, and has distinct rules about wall play. The court dimensions and playing styles are quite different.

Yes, padel is one of the easiest racquet sports to pick up. Most beginners can start rallying and enjoying the game within their first session. The smaller court means less ground to cover, the underhand serve is easier to master than an overhand tennis serve, and the walls keep the ball in play longer, creating more rallies. While easy to learn, padel has tremendous depth for advanced players, with sophisticated strategies around wall play, positioning, and shot selection.

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: points go 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game. At deuce (40-40), a team must win by two points (advantage in, advantage out). A set is won by the first team to win 6 games with at least a 2-game lead. If the set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played. Matches are typically best of 3 sets.

The serve in padel must be underhand. The server stands behind the service line and bounces the ball on the ground before hitting it at or below waist level. The serve must land diagonally in the opponent's service box. After bouncing, if the ball hits the glass wall, it is still in play. However, if the serve hits the metallic mesh fence after bouncing, it is a fault. Each server gets two attempts, just like tennis.

Yes! This is one of the most exciting aspects of padel. After the ball bounces on the ground, it can hit any wall (glass or mesh on your side) and you can still play it. You can also strategically hit the ball off your own back or side walls to return it over the net. However, the ball must always bounce on the ground before hitting a wall on the receiving side. You cannot volley the ball directly into a wall on the opponent's side.

No, in standard padel rules, you cannot reach over or go around the net to play the ball on the opponent's side. However, there is one exciting exception: if the ball bounces on your side and then goes over the back wall or side fence, you are allowed to leave the court through the side doors and play the ball from outside the cage. This is called a "bajada" or "salida" and creates some of the most spectacular points in padel.

The key rules are: (1) Always played in doubles, (2) Underhand serve only, below waist height, (3) Ball must bounce once before hitting any wall on the receiving side, (4) Walls are in play after the ball bounces, (5) The ball can only bounce once on the ground before being returned, (6) You can volley the ball (hit before it bounces) except on the return of serve, (7) Players can exit the court to play the ball if it goes over the back wall, (8) Same scoring as tennis.

On a serve, if the ball bounces in the correct service box and then hits the side mesh, it is a fault. During a rally, if the ball bounces on the ground and then hits the mesh fencing (rather than the glass), it is still in play and your opponent can return it. If you hit the ball and it hits the mesh on your opponent's side directly (without bouncing first), the point goes to your opponent.

To play padel, you need: (1) A padel racket — solid with no strings, featuring holes for aerodynamics, (2) Padel balls — similar to tennis balls but with slightly less internal pressure, (3) Athletic shoes — court shoes or tennis shoes with herringbone soles work well, (4) Comfortable sportswear. Many courts offer racket and ball rentals, so you can try the sport before investing in your own equipment.

Padel rackets come in three shapes: Round (best for beginners — maximum control, larger sweet spot), Teardrop (intermediate — balanced power and control), and Diamond (advanced — maximum power, smaller sweet spot). For beginners, choose a round-shaped racket weighing 350-370 grams with a soft or medium EVA foam core. Budget $50-$150 for a quality starter racket. Popular brands include Bullpadel, Head, Babolat, Nox, and Wilson.

Wear court shoes or clay court tennis shoes with a herringbone or omni-directional tread pattern. These provide good grip on the artificial grass or concrete surface while allowing controlled sliding. Avoid running shoes (too much grip) or indoor shoes (not enough support). Padel-specific shoes are available from brands like Asics, Joma, and Bullpadel, but quality clay court tennis shoes work perfectly well.

Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls but have lower internal pressure (between 4.6 and 5.2 kg/cm² compared to 6.0-6.8 kg/cm² for tennis balls). This lower pressure means padel balls bounce lower and slower, giving players more time to react and making the game more accessible. You should use proper padel balls (marked as such) for the best playing experience.

A standard padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide (approximately 66 feet by 33 feet), which is about 25% smaller than a tennis court. The court is divided by a net that is 88 cm (34.6 inches) high at the center and up to 92 cm (36.2 inches) at the posts. The court is enclosed by walls: the back walls are 3 meters high (glass for the lower portion, mesh above), and the side walls have varying heights with glass and mesh sections.

Padel court walls use a combination of tempered glass and metallic mesh fencing. The back walls are typically 3 meters of glass (lower portion) topped with 1 meter of mesh. Side walls have glass sections near the back and mesh extending along the sides. Some premium courts use all glass for better spectator visibility. The glass panels are 10-12mm tempered safety glass designed to withstand ball impacts.

Most padel courts use artificial grass (turf) with sand infill, which provides good traction while allowing controlled sliding. Some courts use concrete, carpet, or synthetic surfaces. The most common and preferred surface is artificial turf, as it offers the best balance of grip, comfort, and ball bounce consistency. Indoor courts sometimes use carpet or hard court surfaces.

Yes, padel can be played both indoors and outdoors. Indoor courts are popular in regions with extreme weather, while outdoor courts are common in warmer climates. Many facilities offer both options. Indoor courts may have lighting advantages and climate control, while outdoor courts offer fresh air and natural light. The playing surface and rules are the same regardless of whether the court is indoor or outdoor.

In padel doubles, the ideal formation has both players either at the net (attacking position) or at the back of the court (defensive position). The most common strategy is to try to move forward and control the net, as net play is dominant in padel. The player on the right side typically handles more shots and needs good control, while the left side player often needs a stronger smash. Communication between partners is essential.

Key shots include: (1) Bandeja — a controlled overhead shot hit with slice, used to maintain net position, (2) Vibora — an aggressive overhead shot with sidespin, (3) Lob — a high shot over opponents to push them back, (4) Chiquita — a soft, low shot aimed at opponents' feet, (5) Bajada — playing the ball after it bounces off the back glass, (6) Volley — hitting the ball before it bounces while at the net. Mastering the bandeja and lob is essential for intermediate players.

Padel is accessible to people of varying fitness levels. The smaller court means less running than tennis, and the social doubles format means each player covers only half the court. A typical recreational game provides moderate cardiovascular exercise. That said, competitive padel can be quite intense with quick lateral movements and explosive shots. Most people find they can play comfortably for 60-90 minutes, and fitness naturally improves with regular play.

Padel is excellent for children. The smaller court, lower net, and easier-to-handle rackets make it very accessible for young players. Children as young as 5-6 can start learning the basics. Many clubs offer junior programs and mini-padel courts for younger children. The social doubles format also teaches teamwork and sportsmanship. Junior padel rackets are lighter and smaller, making them appropriate for children's hands and strength levels.

You can use our padel court finder to search for padel courts across the United States. Simply enter your city, state, or zip code to find nearby facilities. Our directory includes court details, amenities, pricing, contact information, and directions to help you find and book your first game. Browse padel courts by state or check out popular locations like Texas, Florida, and California.

Court rental prices vary by location and time of day, typically ranging from $20 to $60 per hour for the court (split among 4 players). Many facilities also offer membership plans that reduce the per-session cost. Some clubs include equipment rental in the court fee, while others charge a small additional fee for racket rental. Group lessons typically cost $20-$40 per person, and private lessons range from $50-$100 per hour.

While padel requires 4 players, many facilities help organize games. Options include: (1) Open play sessions where you can join with other players, (2) Round-robin events and social mixers, (3) Club leagues that match you with partners, (4) Social media groups and apps for finding padel partners in your area. Many beginners start by joining group lessons where they meet other new players. You can also find padel players near you through our player matching tool.

While not required, a beginner lesson or clinic is highly recommended. Even one session with a coach can teach you proper grip, basic shots, court positioning, and the rules. This foundation will help you enjoy the sport more from the start and prevent developing bad habits. Most padel facilities offer beginner clinics, group lessons, and private instruction at reasonable prices.

Wear comfortable athletic clothing that allows free movement. Court shoes or clay court tennis shoes are ideal — avoid running shoes or shoes with aggressive tread patterns. Bring a water bottle, and consider wearing a hat or visor for outdoor courts. Some players wear wristbands and overgrips for better racket control. Most facilities have changing rooms and showers available.

Padel offers numerous health benefits: (1) Cardiovascular fitness — burns 400-700 calories per hour, (2) Full-body workout engaging legs, core, arms, and shoulders, (3) Improved hand-eye coordination and reflexes, (4) Low impact on joints due to smaller court and softer ball, (5) Better balance and agility from constant movement, (6) Stress relief through physical activity and social interaction, (7) Mental sharpness from strategic thinking, (8) Social connection through the doubles format.

Yes, padel is considered one of the safest racquet sports for older adults. The smaller court reduces the amount of running, the underhand serve is easier on the shoulder, and the depressurized ball creates a slower pace. Many players continue to enjoy padel well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. As with any sport, it's advisable to start slowly, warm up properly, and consult a doctor if you have any health concerns.

Yes, padel is an effective activity for weight management. A typical 60-minute match burns between 400-700 calories, depending on intensity. Because padel is fun and social, players tend to exercise longer and more consistently than with solo workouts. The stop-and-start nature of the game provides interval training benefits, which can be particularly effective for fat burning. Combined with a balanced diet, regular padel play can contribute significantly to weight loss and maintenance.