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Padel racket
Solid, stringless, and perforated. Lighter and more forgiving than a tennis racket.
Padel for Beginners: How to Play, Explained Simply
New to padel? This guide covers what padel is, the gear, the basic rules, and how scoring works — everything you need to walk onto the court with confidence.
Try a free sessionWhat is padel?
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. The glass walls are part of the game — the ball can bounce off them, so rallies last longer and it's easy to pick up. It's the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and one of the friendliest for beginners.
Padel vs tennis: smaller court, solid stringless rackets, underhand serve, walls in play, and always doubles. If you've never held a racket, padel is far easier to start.
What you need to play
You can rent all of this at Goofy — no need to buy anything to start.
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Padel balls
Look like tennis balls but with slightly less pressure. Provided on court.
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Court shoes
Flat, non-marking soles for good grip. Regular sports shoes are fine to start.
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Comfortable clothes
Anything you can move in. Bring water — rallies get sweaty fast.
The basic rules
Five things and you're ready to rally.
- 1
It's always doubles
Two players per side on an enclosed court roughly 10m × 20m.
- 2
Underhand serve
Serve is hit below waist height after one bounce, diagonally into the opposite service box.
- 3
The walls are in play
The ball may bounce off the glass walls after hitting the floor — that's what makes padel unique. It may not hit the walls before the floor on your own side.
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One bounce per side
Let the ball bounce at most once on your side before returning it. You can also volley (hit before it bounces), except on the serve return.
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In and out
A ball that bounces on the floor then hits the wall is in play; a ball that hits the wire fence before bouncing on your side is out.
How scoring works
Same as tennis — quick to learn.
Points
15 → 30 → 40 → game. Tied at 40–40 is 'deuce'; win two points in a row to take the game.
Games
First to 6 games (with a 2-game lead) wins the set.
Sets
A match is best of 3 sets — first to win 2 sets wins.
Most casual and reclub sessions just play timed games or a single set — no pressure.
Etiquette & beginner tips
Small things that make you a great court partner.
- ✓Call the score before each serve so everyone's on the same page.
- ✓Communicate with your partner — 'mine' / 'yours' avoids collisions.
- ✓Let the ball come off the wall; don't rush it. Patience wins rallies.
- ✓Aim for placement, not power. Control beats smashing when you start.
- ✓Return balls to the server between points, and have fun — padel is social.
Frequently asked questions
The things every beginner asks.
Do I need experience to start padel?
No. Padel is one of the easiest racket sports to pick up — most beginners are rallying within their first session. The walls keep the ball in play, so you spend more time hitting and less time chasing.
What's the difference between padel and tennis?
Padel uses a smaller enclosed court, solid stringless rackets, an underhand serve, and the walls are part of play. It's always doubles and much easier for beginners than tennis.
How long does it take to learn padel?
You can play a fun rally within an hour. Getting comfortable with wall bounces and positioning usually takes a few sessions.
Do I need to bring my own racket?
No — you can rent a racket and balls at Goofy Padel. Just bring comfortable clothes, court or sports shoes, and water.
How many people do I need?
Padel is played as doubles, so four players is ideal. Don't have a group? Join a reclub session at Goofy and we'll match you with others.
Ready to try padel?
Book a free trial session at Goofy Padel Bintaro — racket and balls included. The best way to learn is to play.