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Padel, explained.
The enclosed-court doubles game where a rebound can change the rally. Learn how it works, then choose the guide you need.
- Standard game
- 2 vs 2
- Playing area
- 20 × 10 m
- Equipment
- Solid racket
- Distinctive feature
- Wall rebounds
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport played by two pairs across a net. The court is enclosed, and the ball can rebound from the walls after its first bounce. That changes the rhythm: a ball passing you is not necessarily beyond reach.
The aim is to make a legal return that the opposing pair cannot keep in play. Rallies combine groundstrokes, volleys, lobs and overheads. A solid, perforated racket replaces the strung racket used in tennis.
Build your understanding
One sport. Five starting points.
Beginner guide
Follow your first rally, learn the main shots and try a short practice session.
Open the guide →Padel guideRules
Understand serves, wall rebounds, cage faults and when a point ends.
Open the guide →Padel guideScoring
Follow points, games, sets and the three ways to resolve deuce.
Open the guide →Padel guideCourt dimensions
See the measured playing area, service lines, net and enclosure.
Open the guide →Padel guideEquipment
Understand rackets, balls, wrist straps, shoes and what to hire first.
Open the guide →Padel, tennis or pickleball?
The names and equipment can be confusing. Padel uses an enclosure and wall rebounds. Tennis is normally played without surrounding rebound walls and uses a strung racket. Pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball and a non-volley zone near the net. A tennis court or pickleball paddle is not a substitute for the standard padel setup.
Five terms you will hear
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Volley | A shot struck before the ball bounces; the serve return must bounce first. |
| Lob | A high shot over the opposing players, often used to change court position. |
| Bandeja | A controlled overhead shot; its name comes from the Spanish word for tray. |
| Glass | A common rebound-wall material. The metal cage has different consequences on a serve. |
| Deuce | Both pairs have reached 40. What happens next depends on the chosen scoring format. |
From learning the game to understanding its growth
The guides above focus on playing and following padel. For the wider participation story, read Why Is Padel Growing So Fast?. That article explains the reports and infrastructure behind its expansion, rather than repeating the rulebook.
A useful first visit is a beginner session where the venue supplies a racket and explains the court. Ask about hire equipment, session level and the scoring format before you arrive.
Sources and review
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Standard doubles padel; FIP Rules of Padel effective 1 January 2026. Competition formats can vary. Practical exercises are introductory suggestions, not additional rules.