What grip should I use in padel?

Use a continental grip - the same grip you'd use to shake hands or hammer a nail. Hold the racket like you're shaking hands with it, with your knuckle on the top bevel of the handle.

How do you play the walls in padel?

After the ball bounces on the ground, it can hit the back or side wall. Let the ball pass you, wait for it to come off the wall, then hit it as it moves forward. The wall gives you more time.

What is the most important strategy in padel?

Get to the net! In padel, the team at the net usually wins the point. Hit deep shots to push your opponents back, then move forward with your partner.

How hard should I hit the ball in padel?

Don't hit too hard, especially as a beginner. Control and placement beat raw power in padel. Start slow, focus on consistency, and the power will come naturally.

How to Get Started Playing Padel - Complete Beginner's Guide

Ready for your first padel game? This guide covers everything from holding the racket to basic strategy. In 10 minutes, you'll know enough to step on court and have fun.

1. The Basics

The Grip

Start with a continental grip - the same grip you'd use to shake someone's hand or hammer a nail. This all-purpose grip works for every shot in padel.

Hold the racket like you're shaking hands with it. Your knuckle should be on the top bevel of the handle. Don't grip too tight - a relaxed grip gives you better control and power.

Important: Always use the wrist strap. The racket can slip during play, and the strap prevents it from flying into the glass.

Ready Position

Between shots, stay in the ready position:

Feet shoulder-width apart
Knees slightly bent
Weight on the balls of your feet
Racket up in front of your body
Eyes on the ball

This position lets you move quickly in any direction.

2. How to Serve

The padel serve is underhand - much easier than a tennis serve. Here's how:

Position

Stand behind the service line, to the right or left of center depending on which box you're serving to.

Bounce the Ball

Let the ball bounce on the ground in front of you. Unlike tennis, you don't throw it up.

Hit at Waist Level

Strike the ball at or below waist height. A smooth, controlled swing is better than trying to hit hard.

Aim Diagonally

The ball must land in the opposite service box. Aim for the middle to back of the box for consistency.

Beginner Tip

Don't try to hit a powerful serve. Focus on getting the ball in. A slow, consistent serve beats a fast one that goes out.

3. Essential Shots

Forehand

The forehand is your go-to shot on the dominant side:

Turn your shoulders sideways to the net
Take the racket back early
Step into the shot with your front foot
Swing through the ball, finishing high
Keep your eye on the ball through contact

Backhand

Many beginners struggle with the backhand. Two-handed is often easier when starting out:

Use both hands on the grip for control
Turn so your dominant shoulder points at the ball
Rotate your body through the shot
Follow through across your body

Volley

A volley is hitting the ball before it bounces. At the net, volleys are essential:

Keep the racket up and in front of you
Short backswing - it's a punch, not a full swing
Step forward into the shot
Angle the racket to direct the ball down

4. Using the Walls

The walls are what make padel unique. Here's how to use them:

Playing Off the Back Wall

When the ball bounces and hits the back wall, it comes back toward you. This is the most common wall play:

Let the ball pass you and hit the wall
Wait for it to come back
Hit it as it's moving forward
You'll have more time than you think

Playing Off the Side Wall

Balls that hit the side wall will angle away from the wall. Position yourself where the ball is going, not where it is.

Key Principle

Don't panic when the ball goes to the wall. The wall gives you MORE time, not less. Let the ball do the work.

5. Basic Strategy

Court Positioning

Padel court positioning is simple: you and your partner should move together, like you're connected by an invisible rope.

Attacking (at the net)

Both players close to the net. This is the winning position - try to get here and stay here.

Defending (at the back)

Both players near the back wall. You're waiting for the right ball to move forward.

The Golden Rule

Get to the net. In padel, the team at the net usually wins the point. Hit deep to push your opponents back, then move forward together.

Keep the Ball Low

Low balls are harder to attack. When you're at the back, hit soft, low shots (called "lobs" or "globos" in Spanish) to give yourself time to get to the net.

6. Common Beginner Mistakes

Hitting Too Hard

Power isn't everything in padel. Control and placement beat raw power. Start slow, focus on consistency.

Not Using the Walls

Many beginners try to hit every ball before it reaches the wall. Let the wall help you - it gives you time.

Staying at the Back

Beginners often stay at the back of the court. Push yourself to come to the net - that's where points are won.

Not Moving with Your Partner

If your partner moves forward, you move forward. If they go back, you go back. Stay together.

Ready to Play?

You now know enough to play your first game. Don't worry about being perfect - padel is forgiving, and you'll improve quickly. The most important thing is to get on court and have fun.

Find a court near you, grab a racket, and give it a try. Most people are hooked after their first rally.

How to Play Padel

What You'll Learn