What is padel?The beginner’s guide.

How padel works

Two pairs face each other across a net, just as in tennis doubles. You hit the ball over the net into your opponents’ half, and the rally continues until someone can’t return it.

The difference is the enclosure. The court is surrounded by glass walls and wire mesh, and once the ball has bounced on your side you can let it rebound off the glass and still play it. That one rule changes everything: rallies last longer, beginners get far more time hitting the ball, and the game rewards patience and placement as much as power.

Padel was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969 and grew up in Spain and Argentina before spreading across Europe. Today it is played on courts all over the UK — including two at Halo, at Surya Centre in Colchester.

The court

A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide — roughly a third the size of a tennis court. The net sits across the middle, and each half has two service boxes marked by a centre line and a service line.

Glass walls close off both ends and part of each side; the rest of the sides are wire mesh. Most courts use artificial grass with a light sand infill, which gives grip and an even bounce.

What “ultra-panoramic” means

On a standard court, metal posts frame the glass. A panoramic court moves the structure outside the glass, so there is nothing breaking the view — for players tracking the ball, and for anyone watching. Halo’s two courts are ultra-panoramic, with 12mm glass and even, low-glare LED lighting.

The serve

The serve is underarm, which is a big reason padel is so easy to start.

1. Bounce it firstStand behind the service line and drop the ball so it bounces once.
2. Hit at waist height or belowStrike the ball after the bounce, with contact at or below your waist.
3. Aim diagonallyServe cross-court into your opponents’ service box. It must bounce inside the box.
4. Two chancesAs in tennis, you get a second serve if the first is a fault.

Once the serve has bounced in the box it can hit the glass and stay in play. If it hits the wire mesh after bouncing, it’s a fault. The player receiving must let the serve bounce before returning it.

Playing off the walls

The walls are what make padel padel. The rule to remember is simple: the ball must bounce on the ground before it touches a wall on your side.

• After it bounces, you can let it come off the back or side glass and then hit it.
• You can play the ball into your own walls to get it back over the net, as long as it then crosses directly to the other side.
• If your shot hits your opponents’ glass or mesh before it bounces in their half, it’s out and you lose the point.
• You can volley at the net, just as in tennis — except on the return of serve, which must bounce first.

Learning to wait for the ball to come off the glass, rather than rushing to hit it, is the first big step every new player makes. It usually clicks within a session or two.

Scoring

Padel uses tennis scoring. Points go 15, 30, 40, game. The first pair to win six games, by two clear, takes the set, with a tie-break at six games all. Matches are usually the best of three sets.

Many social games and leagues use a golden point at deuce: instead of playing on until someone is two points clear, the next point wins the game. It keeps matches moving, and it is how most people play when they have a court booked for an hour.

Padel vs tennis

If you have played tennis or squash, you will feel at home quickly. If you haven’t played any racket sport, padel is the easiest place to start.

Your first game at Halo

1. Find three friends — or don’tBook a court with your own four, or join an open match in Playtomic with players at your level.
2. Book and split the courtCourts are priced per court, per hour, for up to four players. Shared four ways, an hour costs £12 each at peak and £10 each off-peak. See all prices.
3. Hire what you needBeginner, intermediate and advanced rackets are available to hire, along with balls.
4. Let yourself inEvery confirmed booking generates a secure door code, so you can arrive and head straight to court.

Common questions

Is padel easy to learn?

Yes — it is one of the easiest racket sports to start. The serve is underarm, the court is small, and the walls keep the ball in play, so beginners have proper rallies in their first session.

How many people do you need to play padel?

Four. Padel is almost always played as doubles, two against two. If you are short of players, Playtomic lets you join or open a match with other players at your level.

Is padel the same as tennis?

No. It shares tennis scoring, but the court is enclosed by glass walls that are part of the game, the serve is underarm, and the racket is solid with no strings.

What do I need for my first game of padel?

Comfortable sportswear and trainers. At Halo you can hire a racket and balls, so you do not need to buy anything to start.