How to Play Padel: Practical Guides for Every Level
Padel.how is a practical guide to learning and improving at padel
How to Play Padel
How-to guides that explain how to play padel, start practicing, and use common tools.
How padel is played, from the court and scoring to basic game flow.
The basics new players need to start playing padel.
What you need to begin playing padel, from equipment to your first games.
A structured way to learn padel progressively.
Using Playtomic to book courts, find games, and manage matches.
Positioning and shot choices when returning serve.
Padel Rules
Clear explanations of padel rules, scoring, serves, and match formats, written for players who want to understand how the game works.
Read the complete official padel rules from the International Padel Federation.
An overview of the basic padel rules and how points are played.
How games, sets, and tie breaks are counted in padel.
How tie breaks work and when they are used.
Rules that apply specifically to doubles play and service order.
Learn what the Star Point System is, and how this new scoring rule could change the game.
Clear rules on when the ball can hit the cage in padel — on serve, during rallies, and in defense.
Techniques
Step-by-step guides to padel strokes and ball control, focused on consistency, timing, and correct execution.
The rules and key details of the padel serve.
Ball control in padel, with focus on technique and positioning.
Net volleys with control and correct positioning.
Proper forehand mechanics for consistent shots.
Backhand preparation and contact in padel.
Using the lob to gain time and court position.
The bandeja shot and its role in controlling rallies.
Soft, low shot played at the feet of net players to force them back.
Timing and shot selection for padel smashes.
Attacking overhead shot with heavy side spin.
A soft, deceptive shot that curves after the bounce and finishes into the side fence.
An attacking shot played after the ball comes off the back wall.
A hooked overhead shot used when the ball gets too close or behind you.
Soft touch shot designed to pull opponents forward and break their positioning.
Defense
Guides on defending in padel, using the glass, handling pressure, and playing effectively from the back of the court.
Basic defensive positioning and shot selection.
Using the glass to defend and reset points.
Staying consistent when defending deep.
How to survive awkward cage balls without losing control.
Options for defending overhead attacks.
How to handle corner balls, double glass situations, and stop losing points.
Padel Strategy
Explanations of padel tactics, positioning, doubles play, and decision-making during points and matches.
Building points with patience and positioning.
Common patterns that lead to winning points.
Core tactical ideas used during matches.
Playing effectively from the net position.
Where to stand during different phases of play.
Team positioning and decision-making in doubles.
Adjusting tactics against higher-level players.
Strategies to neutralize constant lobs and keep net control.
Smart padel tactics to exploit tennis habits, slow the game down, and turn speed into mistakes.
Mistakes
Common padel mistakes explained, with practical guidance on how to fix them and improve consistency.
Frequent mistakes seen during matches.
The most common tactical padel errors that cost points.
Reducing unforced errors and keeping the ball in play.
Why errors happen and how to correct them.
Common reasons players lose shot control.
Training
Practice ideas and training guidance to help you improve padel skills on and off the court, with or without a partner.
Solo practice ideas for padel players.
Physical preparation that improves movement, stability, and endurance.
Simple drills for building consistency.
Key areas to focus on for quicker improvement.
Training frequency and recovery considerations.
Padel Equipment
Instructional guides on padel equipment, focusing on usage, grip, care, and choosing the right gear for playing.
How racket shape, balance, weight, and materials affect control, comfort, and injury risk at different skill levels.
How undergrip and overgrip affect comfort, vibration and sweat absorption.
When and how to change an overgrip.
What to look for in padel footwear.
Basic racket care and maintenance.
How to select padel balls, how to maintain their pressure, and when it’s time to replace them.
How to choose a padel bag and how to protect your equipment properly.
When padel sleeves make sense, what problems they can actually help with?
What padel grip sprays actually do, can they improve my grip?
Find in-depth racket reviews, honest rankings and expert tips to choose the best padel racquet for your level.
All guides on padel.how are written to help you understand what to do on court and why, without unnecessary theory or promotion. Whether you are starting from scratch or trying to improve consistency and decision-making, you’ll find structured explanations you can apply directly in your next match.
The content is organised by topic, so you can learn padel at your own pace — beginning with how to play, then moving through techniques, strategy, training, and key terms used in the game.
If you are completely new to padel or still deciding whether this sport is right for you, start with the two guides below. They provide a clear foundation before you move deeper into rules, techniques, and tactical concepts.
The first guide explains what padel is, how it is played, where it comes from, and why its playing style is different from other racket sports.
The second guide compares padel with pickleball, focusing on court design, game rhythm, physical demands, and long-term progression, helping you understand which sport fits your preferences and expectations.
The content is organised by topic, so you can learn padel at your own pace — beginning with how to play, then moving through techniques, strategy, training, and key terms used in the game.
If you are completely new to padel or still deciding whether this sport is right for you, start with the two guides below. They provide a clear foundation before you move deeper into rules, techniques, and tactical concepts.
The first guide explains what padel is, how it is played, where it comes from, and why its playing style is different from other racket sports.
The second guide compares padel with pickleball, focusing on court design, game rhythm, physical demands, and long-term progression, helping you understand which sport fits your preferences and expectations.
