Padel 101: A Beginner’s Guide to the Glass and Grids
New to padel? Learn the essential rules, scoring, and how to use the walls to feel confident in your very first match.
· · By Smash Team
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Padel is currently the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and it's easy to see why. It is fast, highly social, and easier to pick up than tennis.
However, if you've never stepped onto a padel court before, the surrounding glass walls and metallic grids can be intimidating. Here is a quick guide to the basics so you can play your first match with confidence.
The Core Rules of Padel
1. The Court and Scoring
Padel is played in doubles (2v2) on an enclosed court roughly one-third the size of a tennis court. The scoring system is identical to tennis (15, 30, 40, game, set).
2. The Serve
Unlike tennis, all serves in padel are underhand. You must strike the ball at or below waist level after dropping it behind the service line. The serve must cross diagonally into the opponent's service box.
3. Playing the Walls
This is what makes padel unique!
- The ball must always bounce on the ground on the opponent's side before it hits any wall or fence.
- Once the ball has bounced, it can strike the glass walls or metallic grid. You can then hit it back.
- You can also smash the ball against your own glass wall to return it to the opponent's side (but never against your own fence!).
4. The Grid (Grates)
If the ball hits the metallic fence after bouncing, it often takes a highly unpredictable bounce. This is a tactical area to target when hitting toward your opponents!
FAQ for first-time padel players
Can I book a padel court without a club membership?
Yes. Most clubs on Smash accept pay-and-play bookings. Open our club finder, pick your city, and reserve an available slot online.
How many players do I need for padel?
Padel is usually played as doubles (four players). Some clubs also offer singles courts — check the club page before you book.
Where are padel courts growing fastest?
Argentina, Mexico, Spain, and the Netherlands all have large padel directories on Smash. Browse padel clubs in Argentina or padel clubs in the Netherlands to compare venues near you.
Ready to try it out? Open the Smash app or use our club finder to search for padel courts near you and secure a slot for your first game!