How do I start playing padel? Step by step guide 2026

Step 1: Try it before you buy anything

You don't need to own any gear to start. Most venues rent rackets for a small fee and sell balls at reception. Wear normal sports clothes and indoor shoes with non marking soles, and you are ready for your first session.

Play three or four times before buying your own racket. By then you know whether you enjoy the sport and you have felt the difference between rackets. For beginners a round racket with a soft core works best, since it forgives off centre hits.

Step 2: Learn the five rules that are enough

You don't need the full rulebook to enjoy a match. These five points will take you a long way.

• The serve is underarm. Bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it below waist height, diagonally into the opponent's box.
• The ball must hit the ground first. Before it touches a wall on the opponent's side. Otherwise the point is lost.
• The walls are your friends. After one bounce the ball may hit the glass on your side and you can still return it.
• One bounce at most. Hit the ball in the air or after one bounce, never after two.
• Scoring like tennis. 15, 30, 40 and game. Six games win a set, usually best of three sets.

Want more detail? See all padel rules for 2026.

Step 3: Find three people to play with

Padel is almost always doubles, so you need three others. This is where many give up, especially if their friends don't play. The fix is to look for matches where the court is already booked and one player is missing. You just say yes and share the court fee.

Choose matches at level 1 to 3 the first few times and mention in the chat that you are new. Balanced matches are more fun for everyone, and most groups happily welcome a beginner who is honest about their level.

Browse upcoming matches and filter on your city and level.

Step 4: Book your own first court

After a few games you can book yourself. Pick an off peak time, such as a weekend morning or after 21:00 on a weekday. Courts are cheaper and easier to get. Then post the match with open spots so other players fill it for you.

One hour is plenty at the start. Padel is more intense than it looks, and your legs will tell you the next day.

Five common beginner mistakes

Almost everyone makes these at first. Spot them early and you will improve much faster.

• Standing too close to the back glass. Take a couple of steps forward so the ball has room to come off the wall.
• Hitting too hard. A hard ball often bounces out into an easy return. Placement wins more points than power.
• Forgetting the net. The team that holds the net controls the rally. Move forward together after a good lob.
• Not talking to your partner. Say mine, yours or middle. Otherwise balls down the middle go straight between you.
• Waiting too long to play. The best way to improve is to play often, ideally with different people.

What does it cost to get started?

Splitting the court fee, an hour often costs around 50 to 150 SEK per person depending on city and time. Add a rented racket and a can of balls and your first session can cost under 200 SEK. Your own beginner racket and shoes can wait until you know you want to continue.

More on prices in the padel cost guide.

Frequently asked questions