Padel for Beginners: What to Expect in Your First Session and How to Prepare

Padel is growing faster than almost any racquet sport, and most new players arrive on court with only a rough idea of what they're walking into. That's fine — padel is easy to start playing and surprisingly hard to put down. But a little preparation before your first session means you spend your time on the fundamentals instead of on basic logistics. Here's a practical guide to your first hour on a padel court.

Understanding the court before you step on it

A padel court is enclosed on all sides — two back walls of glass and two side walls of glass and mesh — and is smaller than a tennis court. The enclosed space is the defining feature of the game: balls that would be out in tennis are very much in play when they bounce off the back glass. You'll spend your first session getting used to the idea that the wall is part of the game, not a boundary. Don't try to fight this instinct — just notice when the ball comes off the glass and observe what angle it takes. Understanding wall rebound is the skill that takes beginners from chaotic to functional fastest.

The racquet and grip

If you're renting a racquet for your first session, you'll get whatever the club stocks — usually a mid-range foam-core padel pala. This is fine. Don't worry about the racquet in your first few sessions; it won't be the limiting factor. What will matter more is how you hold it. The padel grip is closer to a continental grip (as if you were hammering a nail with the frame edge) than an extreme western grip. Your thumb and index finger should form a relaxed V on the top edge of the handle. Grip pressure should be light — tight gripping causes arm fatigue quickly and reduces feel. A fresh overgrip on the handle makes a significant difference in control and feel, especially if the rental racquets have worn grips.

The scoring and serve

Padel uses tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, game, with deuce and advantage. Sets go to six games, typically with a tiebreak at 6-6. You play doubles — four players, two per side — in virtually all recreational padel. The serve is underarm: you must drop the ball and hit it below waist height, directing it diagonally across the court into the service box. It's low-stakes to learn and easier than a tennis serve. The receiver must let the ball bounce once before returning it.

Where to stand and move

In padel doubles, the default positioning is both players at the net (at the service line or closer), or both players at the back. The classic error new players make is getting stranded in the middle — too far back to attack, too far forward to handle deep balls. When you're on defense, stay near the back glass with enough room to let the ball come off the wall. When you're on offense, move toward the net together with your partner. You don't need to master positioning in your first session; just know that moving together with your partner is more important than playing your individual position perfectly.

The three shots to focus on first

In your first session, don't worry about smashes, lobs, or wall shots. Focus on three things: a controlled serve that clears the net and lands in the box, a groundstroke off the bounce that keeps the ball in play, and a volley at the net that you punch rather than swing. Padel rewards compact, controlled swings more than power. The court is small, the ball moves fast, and big swings create big errors. Keep the swing short, keep the ball deep, and let the walls work for you instead of against you.

What to bring

Court shoes with a non-marking sole are required on most padel courts — running shoes can damage the surface and reduce your stability on lateral movements. Bring a water bottle, as matches run hot. An overgrip is worth having even if you're renting a racquet — clubs often have worn-down handles, and a fresh overgrip improves feel immediately and costs almost nothing. Wear comfortable athletic clothes that allow for rotation; padel involves a lot of shoulder and hip turn.

Managing expectations

Your first session will feel chaotic. You'll mis-hit balls off the walls. You'll be late to volleys. You'll hit more nets than you expect. This is normal — every padel player went through this exact phase. The game clicks quickly once you stop trying to hit winners and start just keeping the ball in play. The most important thing you can do in your first session is stay relaxed, keep your grip light, and enjoy the chaos. The tactics come later. The first session is just about getting comfortable with what padel actually feels like — which, for most people, is immediately addictive.