Padel Rules for Beginners + Common Mistakes

What Is Padel & How Do You Play?

Padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court with glass walls. The ball can bounce off the walls after hitting the ground, making it faster and more strategic than tennis.

Basic Padel Rules (2026)

• Played in doubles only (2 vs 2)
• Serve must be underhand and bounced once behind the baseline
• Ball can hit the ground then the walls
• No volley on the return of serve
• Games to 6, must win by 2 points. Tiebreak at 6-6
• Best of 3 sets

Most Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

1. Hitting the ball too hard

Fix: Focus on control and placement first. Padel rewards consistency more than power.

2. Forgetting the walls are in play

Fix: Practice letting the ball bounce off the back wall during warm-up.

3. Poor positioning (standing too close to the net)

Fix: Stay closer to mid-court so you can move forward if you need to volley or move back to return a lob.

4. Using tennis technique

Fix: Short, compact swings and a continental grip work best in padel.