Padel rules for beginners: everything you need to know before your first match
An underarm serve, play off the glass and tennis scoring. These are rules you’ll pick up during your very first session.
The 10ka team 6 min read 
Padel is a mix of tennis and squash. It’s played in pairs on a court enclosed by glass and metal mesh, and the ball is allowed to bounce off the walls. The rules are simple and most players have them down by the end of their first match. If you’re about to play padel in Novi Sad for the first time, here’s what you need to know.
Court and equipment
The court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, split in two by the net. Behind each half, and partly along the sides, are glass walls; the rest of the enclosure is metal mesh. You play with a stringless, perforated racket and a ball that looks like a tennis ball but has slightly lower pressure.
At the 10ka padel club on Alibegovac there are three courts in an indoor hall with heating and ventilation, plus one outdoor panorama court with a view of Fruška Gora.
The serve
The serve is underarm. The ball must bounce once behind the service line, and you hit it at waist height or lower. You serve diagonally into your opponents’ service box and, as in tennis, you get two attempts.
If the ball bounces in the service box and then hits the glass, the serve is good. If it hits the metal mesh, it’s a fault.
How a point is played
The ball may bounce only once on your side. After that bounce it can hit the glass and is still in play, so you can return it as it comes off the wall. You’re even allowed to hit the ball into your own wall to get it back over the net.
You lose the point if the ball bounces twice on your side, if you hit it into the net, or if your shot hits the opponents’ wall or fence directly, before bouncing on their side. Volleys are allowed, except when returning serve.
Scoring
Scoring is exactly as in tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game. A set goes to the first team to win six games by a margin of two, and matches are usually best of three sets.
Five tips for your first match
- Always slip your hand through the racket’s wrist strap, then hold it with a continental grip, as if you were holding a hammer.
- Don’t rush a ball heading for the glass. Let it bounce off and wait for it.
- Move together with your partner, as if you were tied with a rope.
- A slow, safe return beats a hard one into the fence.
- Wear shoes with a sole made for artificial grass or sand. Running shoes slip easily on padel turf.
Once you’ve got the basics, the next step is playing off the glass. Thinking about your own gear? Read how to choose your first padel racket.
FAQ
How many players do you need for padel?
Padel is usually played as doubles, two against two. Narrower singles courts exist, but they’re rare.
Do I need my own racket?
No. At 10ka on Alibegovac you can rent a racket on site and balls are provided. Just tick the racket option when you book.
How long is a session?
Usually 90 minutes, which is enough for a warm-up and two sets. You can also book 60 or 120 minutes.
Is padel hard for beginners?
No. The court is smaller than a tennis court and the serve is simple, so you play real points from the very first session.
