How to Play Padel: A Complete Beginner Guide

November 6, 2026

Padel is a doubles racket sport played inside a court with glass and mesh walls. The serve is underhand, rallies are social, and the walls give you another chance on balls that would end a point in many other sports. This friendly guide follows the official FIP rules and links to deeper Mint guides when you want more detail.

Padel in 60 seconds: doubles, walls, and why beginners love it

Padel is normally played by two pairs. The FIP rules say: "Each pair of players will be on either side of the net on the court." A point starts with a bounce serve into the diagonal service box. After a correct bounce on your side, the ball may hit the glass or mesh and remain in play. You must return it before the second bounce.

That wall rule makes rallies last longer and gives beginners more chances to join in. If the words are new, keep our padel glossary for new players nearby. For a comparison with another racket sport, read padel vs pickleball.

The court and the ball, in plain language

The FIP rules say: "The court is a rectangle 10 meters wide by 20 meters long (interior measurements)." A net divides the court. Service lines and a center line mark the service boxes. Solid walls, often glass, sit at the ends, and metallic mesh completes the enclosure.

The walls are part of the court, not just barriers. The ground, walls, mesh, net and posts all matter when deciding whether a ball remains in play. A padel ball resembles a tennis ball, while the racket is solid, perforated and has no strings. Your first task is simply to learn how the ball bounces on the ground and then behaves after it reaches a wall.

How a point starts: the serve in brief

The FIP serve section begins: "All points begin with the serve." Stand behind the service line in your box, bounce the ball on your side, and hit it at or below waist level. The rules say: "The height of the ball being served must be at or below the waist level at the moment of hitting it," Keep at least one foot on the ground at contact.

The serve goes diagonally into the receiver box. If the first serve is not valid, you get a second serve. A serve that bounces in the box and then touches the metallic fence before the second bounce is a fault. For feet, faults, net serves and lets, read our full guide to padel serve rules.

Scoring in brief: games, sets, Golden Point and Star Point

Points are called 15, 30, 40 and game. At three points each, the score is deuce. FIP provides different ways to finish a game. Advantage requires a pair to win two consecutive points from deuce. Golden Point uses one deciding point. Star Point uses repeated deuce and advantage scores before a deciding Star Point.

On a deciding point, the receiving pair chooses the receiving side and cannot swap positions for that point. Agree your format before the match begins. A pair wins a set by reaching six games with a margin of at least two, and a match is normally best of three sets. Our guide to padel scoring explains games, sets, tie-breaks and shorter formats.

The walls in brief: floor first, then glass or mesh

Remember one order: floor first. Your shot must bounce in the opponents court before it hits their wall or fence. If it flies straight into the glass or mesh, you lose the point. After a correct bounce, the FIP rules say the ball "will remain in play and should be returned before it bounces for the second time".

Your own glass can help. A correct return may hit "the wall in the players own court first" and then bounce into the opponents court. Your own metallic fence is different: sending the ball there loses the point. For corners, second bounces and outside court play, read padel wall rules.

Basic doubles roles: right side, left side, net and back

One partner generally starts on the right and the other on the left. During rallies, one may be closer to the net and the other closer to the back. Keep it simple at first. Cover your side, call for your ball, and tell your partner when a ball is travelling toward the glass.

FIP allows flexible starting positions away from the serve itself. It says: "The player who receives can be in any part of their side of the court, as can their partner and the servers’ partner." In beginner language, agree who covers the middle, talk early and reset together after each point. For personal coaching and advanced positioning, ask a qualified coach at your club.

Your first session: what to expect at a club

Expect a warm-up, a few practice bounces and reminders about the serve, scoring and walls. Almost every beginner forgets the glass once or twice and watches a playable ball bounce again. That is normal.

Ask two questions before the first game. Which deuce format are you using: Advantage, Golden Point or Star Point? Does this court allow outside court play? Bring water, wear suitable court shoes and follow any club clothing guidance. Arrive with enough time to meet the other pair and confirm how you will keep score.

What to buy first: racket, balls, grip and bag

Start with a racket and balls if you plan to play often. The Merite padel racket has a 3K/3D carbon face, medium Dense+ Black EVA core, teardrop shape and medium balance. Its listing describes it as Intermediate. The Merveille padel racket has a 12K carbon face, medium density Dense+ Black EVA core, slightly oversized teardrop shape and medium balance. Its listing also describes it as Intermediate. Use how to choose a padel racket to compare shapes and features.

The Cannonballz Premium Tournament Padel Balls 4 Pack uses natural rubber and high flex felt with a 57% wool blend, and the balls are pressurized. For grip, the SiliGrip Ringz Racket Grip uses premium silicone. It is made from premium silicone. Mint says it can be placed over grip tape as a Pro setup or under it as an Elite setup and is compatible with standard racket sports grips.

The Everyday Belt Bag has four zippered compartments and a secure back pocket for small items. Prices can change, so check the product pages when you shop.

Beginner mistakes to avoid, kept friendly and general

Do not treat the wall as the end of the point. After the correct bounce, watch the ball through the glass or mesh and play it before the second bounce. Do not serve like tennis: bounce the ball first and contact it at or below the waist. Do not forget to settle the deuce format before the game.

Also, do not try to copy advanced shots in your first session. Start the point correctly, keep the ball in play and learn how this court responds. Better technique can come later through approved coaching.

Quick start checklist and FAQ

Before play, confirm your partner, bounce every serve, serve diagonally, agree the deuce format, ask about outside court play, and remember floor first before any wall.

Can I play the ball off the glass? Yes, after it has bounced on the correct side. A ball that reaches the opponents wall or fence before that bounce loses the point.

Do I serve overhand? No. Bounce the ball and hit it at or below waist level.

What do I buy first? Begin with a racket and balls if you will play regularly. Add grip or bag items when you know what you need.