You want to try padel but don't know where to start? No problem. Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Europe — and getting started is much easier than with most other racket sports. In this guide, you'll learn everything you need for your first match.
What Is Padel Exactly?
Padel (often called padel tennis) is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's played as doubles (2 vs 2) on a 10 × 20 metre court enclosed by glass walls and metal mesh.
The special thing: the walls are part of the game. After hitting the ground, the ball can bounce off the wall and still be played. This creates longer rallies, surprising plays and loads of fun — even if you've never held a racket before.
Why Padel Is So Beginner-Friendly
- Underhand serve: No complicated overhead serve like in tennis
- Smaller court: Less running, shorter distances
- Walls as helpers: Balls that would be unreachable in tennis can still be played off the wall
- Always doubles: You're never alone on court and share the responsibility
- Quick success: Real rallies develop within 15 minutes
What You Need for Your First Match
The Absolute Minimum
For your first session, you need surprisingly little:
- Sportswear — Comfortable shorts/trousers and a t-shirt
- Sports shoes — Clean indoor shoes or tennis shoes (no running shoes)
- A booked court — Most venues offer rental rackets and balls
That's it. For your first time, you don't need to buy your own racket. Almost every padel venue offers rental rackets for €3–5.
When Your Own Equipment Makes Sense
Once you notice padel is fun and you want to play regularly (more than 2–3 times), investing in your own racket pays off. Good entry-level models start at €50.
What beginners should look for in a racket:
- Shape: Choose a round racket — it has the largest sweet spot and forgives mis-hits
- Weight: 350–370 g is ideal for beginners (lighter = more control)
- Core: Soft EVA foam provides more control than hard FOAM
- Price: €50–100 is enough for a solid beginner racket
The Essential Basic Shots
You don't need to learn every shot at once. Four basic shots are enough to start:
1. The Forehand (Derecha)
The most natural shot in padel. Stand sideways to the net, swing the racket back and through the ball from low to forward. The contact point is at hip height, to the side of your body.
Beginner tip: Imagine you're giving someone a handshake — that's roughly the forehand motion.
2. The Backhand (Revés)
The backhand is played on the opposite side. For beginners, the two-handed backhand is recommended: both hands on the grip, the non-dominant hand leads the swing. This gives more stability and control.
Beginner tip: Rotate your shoulders towards the ball and let your upper body do the work, not just your arm.
3. The Volley
At the net, you play the ball directly out of the air without it touching the ground. The volley is extremely important in padel because the net position is the dominant one. The motion is short and compact — no big backswing, just a controlled block.
Beginner tip: Hold the racket in front of your body at chest height. The less you swing, the better your volley.
4. The Serve
The serve is the easiest shot in padel. You drop the ball onto the ground and strike it at or below hip height diagonally into the opponent's service box. You get two attempts, just like tennis.
Beginner tip: Focus on safety, not speed. A slow serve into the box is better than a fast one into the net.
Padel Tactics for Beginners
The Two Zones of the Court
The padel court can be divided into two tactical zones:
- Net position (offensive): You stand 2–3 metres behind the net and play volleys. This is the dominant position — you win most points from here.
- Baseline (defensive): You stand at the back and play balls after the bounce or off the wall. From here, you try to stabilise the point and conquer the net position.
The goal in padel is to get to the net and stay there. Most points are won from the net position. Beginners often make the mistake of staying at the baseline — actively try to move forward.
The Golden Rule: Move Together
In padel doubles, both players move as if connected by an invisible rope. If one goes forward, the other follows. If one moves back, the partner does too. You should always be at the same depth.
Why? If one player is at the net and the other at the baseline, a huge gap opens in the middle that opponents can easily exploit.
Lob: The Beginner's Secret Weapon
The lob (high ball over the opponents to the back wall) is one of your best friends as a beginner. When both opponents are at the net putting you under pressure, play a high ball over them. This forces them to run back and gives you the chance to take the net yourself.
Understanding Wall Play
Wall play is what makes padel unique — and what confuses beginners the most. Here are the basics:
On Your Side
- After hitting the ground, the ball may bounce off the glass wall or mesh
- You can still play it — it's only out when it touches the ground a second time
- You may also play the ball directly out of the air (volley) before it hits the ground or wall
On the Opponent's Side
- Your ball must always hit the ground first on the opponent's side
- Only then may it hit the wall
- If you hit the ball directly against the opponent's wall (without a ground bounce first), it's out
Tips for Wall Play
- Patience: Wait until the ball rebounds from the wall rather than playing it immediately. Beginners tend to overestimate the speed.
- Position: Don't stand too close to the wall. You need room for your swing.
- Watch the angle: The rebound angle equals the incoming angle — like billiards. Over time, you'll develop a feel for it.
10 Tips for Your First Match
1. Take a Taster Session
One hour with a coach gets you further than three hours of trial and error. You'll learn the basic shots correctly and avoid bad habits.
2. Play With Like-Minded People
Your first match should be with other beginners. Everyone's at the same level and there's no frustration.
3. Reduce Power
The most common beginner mistake: too much force. Padel is a positioning and precision game. Play at 60% power and focus on control.
4. Use Continental Grip
The continental grip (hold it like a hammer) is the universal grip in padel. Use it for all shots — forehand, backhand, volley and serve.
5. Always Keep Moving
Never stand still. Bounce lightly on the balls of your feet, knees bent. This way you're ready to move in any direction.
6. Communicate With Your Partner
Padel is teamwork. Call "Mine!" or "Yours!" during rallies. Agree before the match who covers the middle.
7. Don't Forget the Lob
When you're under pressure, play a high ball over the opponents. The lob isn't weakness — it's a tactical weapon.
8. Move to the Net After Serving
Serve and immediately move forward to the net. The net position is the key to winning points in padel.
9. Don't Fear the Glass Wall
At first, people shy away from playing balls after the wall bounce. Be brave — with every session you'll get better at it.
10. Have Fun
Padel thrives on fun and social interaction. Don't take it too seriously, laugh at mistakes and enjoy the rallies.
Where Can I Play Padel?
Germany now has over 1,300 padel courts across more than 400 venues. Most major cities have several options. Here's how to find a court near you:
- Use Padel Grid: On our platform, you'll find all padel courts in Germany with maps, ratings and booking links
- Search for taster sessions: Many venues regularly offer beginner events
- Social padel: Some venues organise open sessions where you can sign up as an individual
Common Questions From Padel Beginners
Do I Need Tennis Experience?
No. Padel is designed so that even complete sports newcomers have fun quickly. Tennis experience helps with ball sense but is not a prerequisite.
How Fit Do I Need to Be?
Padel is less running-intensive than tennis. The court is smaller and you only cover half of it. Basic fitness is more than enough to start.
Can I Play With 3 or 5 People?
Padel is standardly played 2 vs 2. With three players, there's the "Mexicano" or rotation variant where one sits out. With five or six, you rotate.
How Long Does a Match Last?
A friendly match typically lasts 60–90 minutes. Most courts are rented by the hour.
From What Age Can You Play Padel?
Padel is suitable for all ages. Children from about 6–7 years can play with lighter rackets. Many venues offer special kids programmes.
Your Roadmap: The First 4 Weeks
| Week | Focus | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Getting to know | Taster session or first outing with friends. Use rental rackets. |
| 2 | Basic shots | Practise forehand, backhand and serve. Focus on control. |
| 3 | Net play | Volley drills and position switches from baseline to net. |
| 4 | Tactics & wall play | Play your first proper match. Integrate lobs and wall play. |
After four weeks with 1–2 sessions per week, you'll have the basics down and be ready for regular matches. From there, it's all about gaining match practice and refining the details.
Conclusion: Just Get Started
Padel is the ideal sport for anyone looking for a new challenge, who enjoys ball sports and likes being active in a group. The barrier to entry is low, costs are manageable and the learning curve is steep — in the best possible way.
The best tip we can give you: don't plan too long, just do it. Book a court, grab three friends and give it a go. You'll be surprised how quickly padel becomes addictive.
