Padel for beginners

What is padel

Padel is a racket sport for four players, two against two. The court is 10 × 20 metres with a net in the middle and glass walls and mesh fencing all around. You play with a solid, stringless racket and a ball similar to a tennis ball, only with slightly lower pressure.

The walls are part of the game: when the ball bounces and then hits the glass, the rally goes on. That keeps rallies going even without perfect technique, so beginners enjoy it straight away.

The basic rules

These rules are plenty for your first game. The full rules are published by the International Padel Federation (FIP).

• Serve: serve underhand. Drop the ball behind the service line and, after it bounces, hit it at or below waist height. Serve diagonally into the opponents' service box, where it must land. You get two attempts.
• If the serve lands in the box and then hits the glass, it is good. If it hits the mesh fence, it is a fault.
• In play, the ball may bounce only once on your side. After the bounce it can come off the walls and you can still return it.
• Volleys, hitting the ball before it bounces, are allowed. The one exception is the return of serve, which must be played after the bounce.
• You can play the ball off your own walls to send it over the net. On the opponents' side, though, it must hit the ground first; hitting their wall or fence directly is a fault.
• You also lose the point if the ball bounces twice on your side, goes into the net, hits you, or if your racket or body touches the net.

Scoring

Scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. A set goes to the first pair to win six games by two; at 6–6 a tiebreak decides it. Matches are usually best of three sets.

At 40–40 amateur games often use the golden point: one deciding rally with no advantage, where the receiving pair chooses which side the serve goes to. Agree on it before you start.

Gear for your first game

You don't need to buy anything to start. Many clubs rent rackets; check availability and the fee when booking.

• Racket: solid, stringless, with holes. A round shape is best for beginners because it forgives off-centre hits.
• Balls: buy padel balls, not tennis balls. Tennis balls have higher pressure and bounce differently.
• Shoes: indoor court or tennis shoes with a sole suited to artificial grass. Running shoes don't support side-to-side movement and slip on the sand.
• Clothing: normal sportswear. Outdoors, dress for the weather, and for cooler evenings.

What padel costs in Prague

You pay for the whole court. In and around Prague an hour costs 382 to 1,200 CZK, typically about 600 CZK. With four players that is roughly 150 CZK each.

Outdoor courts are usually cheaper than indoor halls, and mornings cheaper than evenings. Racket hire, floodlights or a coach may cost extra.

Booking tips

• Book 90 minutes for your first game: enough time to warm up and play a few sets.
• Weekday evening slots fill up fastest. Mornings and weekends tend to be quieter.
• In winter or rain, look for indoor courts (9 of the clubs we track have them); outdoor venues (15) are cheaper but depend on the weather.
• Playing with eight? The finder can look for two courts free at the same time at the same club.
• If you want a coach, many clubs offer beginner lessons; ask the club directly.

Where to play your first game

Choose by where you live and by the weather. Each guide shows clubs on a map, prices and links to live open slots.

• Indoor courtsIndoor padel · all year
• Outdoor courtsPadel in the open air
• Prague 10Prague 10 · Hostivař · Dubeč
• Prague 5Prague 5 · Smíchov · Zličín
• Prague 9Prague 9 · north Prague
• Prague-WestPrague-West · Vestec · Jinočany
• Prague-EastPrague-East · Říčany · Modletice