Beginner guide
Padel for beginners: the complete guide for new players
Padel is Sweden's fastest-growing sport and one of the most enjoyable racket sports to start. This guide covers everything you need as a beginner, rules, gear, your first racket, basic strokes, prices and how to find players at your level.
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport played on a glass-enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. The sport was invented in Mexico in the 1960s, grew big in Spain and Argentina, and exploded in Sweden around 2019. Today there are over 4,000 padel courts in the country and the sport is played across all ages.
What makes padel so popular is the combination of a low barrier (easy to start), high ceiling (hard to master) and the social element, there are always four players on the court.
The rules in 3 minutes
- Scoring: Same as tennis, 15, 30, 40, game. Six games win a set. Best of three sets wins the match.
- Serve: Always underhand, below waist height, after one bounce. The serve must go diagonally over the net and land in the receiver's service box.
- Bounce and walls: The ball may bounce once on the floor and then hit the glass or fence. If you hit the opponents' wall directly without a floor bounce first, point to the opponents.
- The net: If a player or racket touches the net during a point, they lose it. The ball can still clip the net on serve if it lands correctly (let).
For a deeper dive into the 2026 changes, read our guide on padel rules 2026.
The court and gear
A padel court is 10 x 20 meters, enclosed by 3 m glass walls at the back and metal fencing on the sides. The net is 88 cm high at the posts and 92 cm in the middle.
The gear you need is minimal: a padel racket (shorter handle, solid surface with holes, no strings), padel balls (like tennis balls but at slightly lower pressure), and shoes with soles designed for clay or artificial turf, not running shoes with flat soles.
Your first racket
As a beginner, pick a round racket with a soft core and a weight around 355–365 grams. The round shape gives a large sweet spot and forgives off-center hits; a soft core is easier on your arm. A price range of 800–1,800 SEK is more than enough.
Skip pro-level diamond-shaped models, they demand solid technique and increase the risk of padel elbow. Read our full padel racket buying guide 2026 when you're ready to choose.
Basic strokes to learn
Forehand
Your basic shot from the strong side. Keep the racket low, hit the ball in front of your body and follow through toward the target. Aim at the opponents' feet, not the corners, technique comes later.
Backhand
Use your non-dominant hand for support at first. Rotate hips and shoulders, hit the ball in front of you. Backhand is where most beginners lose points, practice it deliberately.
Serve (underhand)
In padel the serve is always underhand, below waist height, after one bounce. Aim to land the ball softly and diagonally, power is secondary. A reliable serve beats a hard one.
Volley
A shot taken before the ball bounces, usually at the net. Short movements, racket in front of your body. When both of you are at the net, you control the point, that's the goal after the serve.
Wall return
Padel's signature shot. Let the ball bounce on the floor, then off the glass, then hit the return. Wait for the ball, most beginners hit too early. Practice by throwing balls against the back wall.
Advanced shots like the bandeja (controlled overhead) and víbora (aggressive side smash) come after the basics are in place, don't focus on them as a beginner.
Common beginner mistakes
- Standing too far forward and missing the wall return, the back half of the court is your best friend early on.
- Hitting too hard, 70% of points are won by simply returning the ball, not by winners.
- Forgetting the glass wall, the ball is still in play after hitting the back glass.
- Not communicating with your partner, always call 'mine' or 'yours' before the ball arrives.
- Skipping the warm-up, padel loads your elbow, shoulder and calves hard from the first ball.
Booking your first court in Sweden
Most padel centers use booking apps or web portals, you pick a city, club, day and time and pay by card or Swish. A court costs 300–600 SEK per hour; split between four players that's 75–150 SEK each. Evenings and weekends are pricier.
As beginners, book 90 minutes instead of 60, you'll need warm-up time and breaks. Book an outdoor court in summer for a lower price (typically 30% below indoor rates).
Find players at your level
Padel is more fun when the match is even. In Sweden a 1–10 level scale is used, where 1 is a total beginner and 10 is a pro. As a new player you're likely at level 1–2 for the first few months, around 3 after six months of regular play.
Read our guide on padel ratings in Sweden and learn how to find padel players at your level via Padelpoolen, matchmaking by rating, location and time.
Padel etiquette
- Switch sides after odd games (game 1, 3, 5 …).
- Call 'mine' or 'yours' clearly when the ball comes down the middle.
- Clear stray balls from the court before the next point, it's a safety issue.
- Wait to enter an adjacent court until their point is over.
- Shake hands with both your partner and opponents after the match.
Injuries to be aware of
Padel is gentler than tennis, but some injuries are common, padel elbow, shoulder inflammation, Achilles and knee injuries. Warm up at least 10 minutes, pick an arm-friendly racket and listen to your body. Read our guide on common padel injuries and how to prevent them.
Get started: find players in your city
Padelpoolen helps you find padel players at your level across Sweden. Create a free account, set your level and location, and find or create matches in a few clicks.
Frequently asked questions about padel for beginners
Is padel hard to learn?
No, padel is one of the easiest racket sports to pick up. After 2–3 sessions most people can play fun points. Becoming great takes time, like any sport, but the basics come quickly thanks to the smaller court and the glass walls that keep the ball in play.
Do I need to buy my own padel racket as a beginner?
No, every padel center in Sweden rents rackets and balls for 40–70 SEK per session. Try a few models before buying. Once you play at least once a week, it pays off to get your own so you avoid worn rentals and learn a consistent feel.
How many players are needed for padel?
Padel is almost always played as doubles, four people, two per team. Singles exists but is rare. If you're only three, you can find a fourth player on Padelpoolen by searching by time and location.
How much does padel cost in Sweden?
A court typically costs 300–600 SEK per hour depending on city and time slot. Split between four players that's 75–150 SEK each. Add 40–70 SEK for racket and ball rental if you don't own gear. Evenings and weekends are more expensive.
Can kids play padel?
Yes, from around age 6–7. Many padel centers offer junior training and special youth rackets that are shorter and lighter. Kids learn padel faster than tennis because the court is smaller and the walls make the ball more predictable.
What's the difference between padel and tennis?
Padel is played on a smaller court (10x20 m) enclosed by glass walls and fencing, with a solid stringless racket and an underhand serve. Tennis has a bigger court, a strung racket and an overhead serve. Padel is more social, easier on the body and quicker to learn, but tactically deep thanks to the walls.