What to expect from your first padel session

Padel's instant accessibility for all demographics and abilities is the secret behind its explosion in popularity. It's so easy to starting playing - then, with a coach's input, you'll find there are all sorts of fascinating nuances, techniques and strategies to learn along the way.

The most important thing: have fun 

This is by far the most important mantra to bear in mind on that magical first foray on to the court. With four of you together, encased by steel and glass at such close quarters (padel courts are a third the size of tennis courts), there's an intimacy to padel which other sports cannot rival.

This makes it very sociable, with lots of interaction and regular belly laughs at the great rallies that you'll share together.

The rules are easy to pick up  

Padel's rules are pretty simple, but don't worry too much about them the first time you play.

Just enjoy the new feeling and sound of ball on racket, a few fun rallies, develop teamwork with your partner and have a first try at allowing the ball to rebound off the glass before hitting over the net (a novel concept for tennis players).

The serve is simple

Unlike tennis' overarm serve, which is notoriously difficult for beginners, padel serves are hit underarm, with the ball dropped to the floor and then struck over the net. It's a very simple way to get a rally going - and you get a second serve if you miss first time! 

Three beginner tips to help you get started 

Focus on keeping the ball in play

Whilst this sound pretty obvious, padel is a game which rewards simply keeping the ball in play. At beginner level, most points are won from opponents' mistakes, not flashy winners. Therefore, simply getting the ball over the net and into the court (without hitting the side walls first) tends to be a very successful strategy! 

Use less power and more control

Newbies who've played a lot of tennis or squash find out quite quickly that their ingrained habit of whacking the ball doesn't reap the same rewards on the padel court. For a start, it increases the likelihood of hitting the ball out (i.e. striking the walls without bouncing).

Hitting it hard also causes the ball to rebound off the glass, giving your opponents an easy return (once they've learned to anticipate the bounce) and a chance to take up an attacking position at the net.

An LTA-qualified padel coach will guide your beginner journey and help ingrain good padel-specific habits from the start, such as softer, well placed shots, using the lob effectively and how to work effectively with your partner.

Read more about why placement beats power in padel

The glass takes some getting used to  

The technique of hitting the ball off the glass (i.e. the rear wall and rear section of the side walls) is unfamiliar to most padel first-timers (with the exception of squash players). Sessions with a coach to practise the technique and timing of the swing after the ball has struck the glass, and getting it back over the net, will help enormously. It can be a difficult skill at first.

After all, hitting the ball in a direction it's already travelling is quite unlike most other sports, where the ball comes towards you, and you hit it away. The key is to predict the ball's path early; where it will bounce, the height of the rebound off the glass and how far it will bounce forward.

Stand side-on to the ball, get your racket up, point your shoulder, wait for the ball to be in front of your leading foot and help it on its way. You won't succeed every time, but your brain will improve at executing these shots. Coaching and structured sessions will help you predict the ball's path, adjust your footwork and improve your shot much more quickly.

A quick safety reminder 

The strap attached to the butt of the racket is there for a reason. Wrap it round your wrist throughout the game - you don't want your first ever game of padel ruined by hitting your partner with a racket!