Padel for beginners: a guide to your first games
By the EsoPadel team · updated on October 16, 2026 · 3 min read
To start padel, you need a padel racket (often lent or rented by the club), shoes with suitable soles and three partners. You book a court at a club near you, ideally for an introductory lesson, then play games with players at your level. Most beginners are rallying within the first hour: that is what makes padel so easy to pick up.
Why padel is easy to start
The court is small, the racket is short and has no strings, and you serve underarm. The walls send back balls you would have missed in tennis, which makes rallies longer. You play four, so each player covers a small area and gets less tired. The result: you have fun quickly, even without a sporting background.
Equipment for beginners
- The racket: for your first games, the club's racket is enough. When you buy your own, choose a round shape, which is more forgiving. See our guide Choosing a padel racket. - Shoes: padel shoes, or failing that tennis shoes for artificial courts or clay. Running shoes slip and strain the ankles. - Balls: the club often provides them; otherwise, buy padel balls, slightly less pressurised than tennis balls. - Clothing: light, as for any racket sport.
Booking a court
A court is usually booked for an hour or an hour and a half, for four players. The price, set by each club, is shared between the players. Find a club in the padel club directory: each page gives the address, contact details and, when the club has added them, its facilities. On EsoPadel, some clubs even offer online booking.
Taking a lesson
One or two introductory lessons save a lot of time. The coach teaches you: - the grip and the ready position; - the underarm serve; - playing off the glass, the big novelty for former tennis players; - positioning as a pair. Many clubs offer group lessons for beginners, cheaper than private lessons.
Learning the basic rules
You do not need to know everything to start. Remember three things: you serve underarm and diagonally, the ball must bounce once on the ground on your side before touching your walls, and it must not hit the opponents' walls directly. The rest comes with playing. Our guide Padel rules sums up the essentials.
Finding partners at your level
This is padel's real challenge: you need four players, of similar level for an enjoyable game. A few ideas: 1. Group lessons: you meet other beginners there. 2. Club events: evenings, internal tournaments, open games. 3. An app: on EsoPadel, you set your level and style, find players near you and organise a game. See our comparison of apps for finding a partner. To find your level, take the padel levels test: the scale runs from 1 (beginner) to 8. Most beginners start at level 1 or 2.
Improving without injury
- Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes: shoulders, wrists, calves. - Do not force the smash at first: shoulders and elbows suffer quickly. - Play regularly rather than long: two one-hour games a week are better than one three-hour game. - Stay hydrated, especially indoors in summer.
Your first competition
After a few months of regular games, a small P25 tournament is a good step. You need an FFT licence (see our guide FFT licence for padel) and a partner. Check the tournament calendar to find a P25 near you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have played tennis to start padel? No. Padel is quicker to pick up than tennis, even with no racket experience. How long does it take to learn? You rally from the first session. For balanced games, you need some regular practice, and partners at your level. Should I buy a racket right away? No, the club's racket is enough for the first games. Buy one when you play every week. Can you play alone? No, you need four players. Apps and clubs help you complete a game.