What Is Padel? Rules, Gear and Tips for Beginners

Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world — and probably the one where you'll have the most fun on day one. The blend of tennis and squash lets beginners rally straight away instead of drilling technique for weeks. In this guide we explain what padel is, how the rules work and what you actually need to get started.

Padel in one sentence

Padel is always played four at a time — two against two — on an enclosed court with glass and mesh walls. At 20 × 10 metres the court is much smaller than a tennis court, and the walls are part of the game: the ball can rebound off them, much like in squash. That's exactly what makes the rallies long, tactical and surprising — and the learning curve so gentle.

The court and the walls

A padel court is framed on all sides. A net divides the two halves down the middle, just like in tennis. The big difference: if the ball bounces in your court and then hits the glass wall behind you, you can play it back. You quickly learn to use the wall as an ally instead of chasing the ball down. Because the court is compact, all four players stand close together — which makes padel a very social sport, too.

How scoring works

The scoring is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. A set is won over six games, and a match usually over two sets. So if you've ever watched tennis or table tennis, you'll understand the score instantly.

One important difference is the serve:

• You serve underarm, not with a high toss like in tennis.
• The ball has to bounce on the ground once before you hit it.
• It's played diagonally into the opponent's service box.

This underarm serve is the main reason padel is so beginner-friendly: there's no complicated motion you have to train for months before you can rally.

What gear do you need?

Honestly: almost none. For your first time, this is all it takes.

• Racket: a padel racket is shorter than a tennis racket, has no strings and a perforated hitting surface. At PDL Zürich you can rent a racket for CHF 5 right at reception — so you don't have to buy anything to get started.
• Balls: they look like tennis balls but hold a little less pressure. A tube of three costs CHF 8 with us.
• Shoes: normal indoor or sports shoes with a clean, light sole are fine. Dedicated padel shoes are a plus, but not a must.
• Clothing: whatever you can move in. Showers and changing rooms are on site.

In short: bring three friends, rent rackets and balls on the spot, and just start playing.

Why padel is so addictive

Padel rewards you right away. Because the court is small and the walls are in play, you'll hit real rallies in your very first hour — not just serve faults. At the same time there's enough tactics and touch to keep improving for months. Add the social factor — you always play in fours, laugh a lot and meet new people.

Three tips for your first game

1. Patience beats power. Play the ball back with control instead of smashing every shot. At the start, whoever keeps the ball in play wins most of the points.
2. Use the walls. Let the ball rebound off the glass and then play it — it buys you more time than you'd think.
3. Stay close to your partner. You move across the court as a team, roughly in parallel. That way no gaps open up.

Where to play padel in Zürich

At PDL Zürich in Schlieren — just 10 minutes from Zürich and a 5-minute walk from Schlieren station — you'll find eight courts: five indoor and three covered outdoor, so weather is never an issue. The courts are bookable around the clock by reservation, with no membership required.

The easiest way to book is online via Playtomic: you'll see available times in real time and pay directly. Book a court now — grab three friends and give it a try. Prefer to start with some guidance? Then take a look at how you can learn padel with us.