So You Want to Try Padel — Here's Everything You Need to Know
If you've been asking yourself how do I get started playing padel, you're not alone. Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and for good reason — it's incredibly fun, easy to pick up, and social by nature. Whether you've seen friends playing, watched it on TV, or just walked past a court and got curious, this padel beginners guide will walk you through everything you need to hit the court with confidence.
Unlike tennis, padel is played in doubles on a smaller enclosed court with glass walls — and yes, you can use those walls. That's part of what makes it so addictive. The learning curve is gentle, rallies last longer, and you'll be having proper fun from your very first session.
The Basic Rules of Padel (Simplified)
Let's start with the essentials. If you're looking for a quick rundown of padel rules for beginners, here's what you need to know:
Always doubles. Padel is played 2v2. You'll need four players to book a court.
Underarm serve. The serve must be hit underarm, below waist height, after bouncing the ball once. This makes serving much easier than in tennis.
Scoring is identical to tennis. 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage — if you know tennis scoring, you already know padel scoring.
Walls are in play. After the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the glass walls and you can still return it. This creates longer, more dynamic rallies.
The ball must bounce before hitting the wall. You can't volley the ball directly into the wall on the opponent's side — it must cross the net and bounce on the floor first.
One bounce maximum. Like tennis, the ball can only bounce once on the floor before you return it. Wall bounces don't count as a floor bounce.
That's genuinely all you need to know to start playing. The rest you'll pick up naturally as you play more. For a deeper look at the sport and what makes it special in this part of the world, check out our complete guide to padel in Cyprus.
What Equipment Do You Need?
One of the best things about padel for beginners is how little gear you actually need. Here's your checklist:
Padel racket. Not a tennis racket — padel rackets are solid (no strings), shorter, and have holes in the face. If you're just starting out, most clubs have rental rackets available. At Green Padel Club, our pro shop carries beginner-friendly rackets if you decide to buy your own.
Padel balls. They look like tennis balls but have slightly less pressure. Courts usually provide balls, or you can pick up a can at any club.
Sports shoes. Wear proper court shoes or clean trainers with non-marking soles. Avoid running shoes — the lateral support isn't enough. Clay court tennis shoes work perfectly for padel.
Comfortable sportswear. Anything you'd wear to the gym or for a run. Shorts, a t-shirt, and you're sorted. In summer here in Limassol, lightweight breathable fabric is your best friend.
That's it. No special gloves, no specific clothing brands. Padel is refreshingly low-barrier when it comes to gear.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Feeling nervous about your first time on court? Don't be. Here's what a typical first session looks like if you're completely new to the sport:
You'll arrive, grab a racket if you don't have one, and step onto the court. If everyone in your group is a beginner, expect to spend the first few minutes just rallying — getting used to the feel of the racket, the bounce of the ball, and the pace of the court. The enclosed walls mean fewer balls fly off into the distance, so there's less time chasing and more time playing.
Most beginners are genuinely surprised by how quickly they start enjoying themselves. Because the court is smaller and the serve is underarm, you'll have real rallies within minutes — not hours. It's nothing like the frustration of learning tennis from scratch.
If you really want to learn to play padel with proper technique from day one, consider booking a coaching session. A good coach will teach you grip, positioning, and basic shots in a single hour, giving you a massive head start. We offer padel coaching in Limassol for all levels — from complete beginners to competitive players looking to sharpen their game.
How Much Does It Cost to Play Padel?
Padel is one of the most affordable racket sports out there, especially when you split the cost four ways. Here's a rough breakdown:
Court hire: A 90-minute session typically costs between €48 and €72 total, which works out to roughly €12–18 per person when split between four players.
Racket rental: Usually €3–5 if you don't have your own.
Coaching: Group and private sessions are available at various price points — a worthwhile investment when you're starting out.
Compare that to a gym membership or golf green fees, and padel starts looking like seriously good value — especially for the amount of fun and exercise you get in return.
How to Book Your First Game
Booking a padel court is straightforward. Most clubs use online booking platforms so you can reserve a slot in seconds from your phone. Here's the simplest way to get started:
Download the Playtomic app (available on iOS and Android). It's the most popular padel booking platform in Europe.
Search for a club near you. If you're in Limassol, you'll find Green Padel Club in Germasogeia — we have 6 courts open from 7AM to 11:30PM, so there's almost always availability.
Pick a time slot that works for your group.
Pay online and show up ready to play.
Don't have four players? No problem. Playtomic also has an open match feature where you can join games with other players at your level. It's a great way to meet people and get regular games going.
Tips for Padel Beginners
Before you step on court for the first time, keep these tips in mind:
Focus on consistency, not power. Padel rewards placement and patience over raw power. Keep the ball in play and let your opponents make mistakes.
Use the walls. It feels unnatural at first, but letting the ball come off the back glass gives you more time and better angles. Practice this early.
Stay at the net. The net position is dominant in padel. When you get the chance to move forward, take it.
Communicate with your partner. You're always playing doubles. Call the ball, coordinate positioning, and have fun with it.
Don't overthink the serve. The underarm serve is meant to be simple. Focus on getting it in and setting up the point.
Take a lesson. Even one hour with a coach will dramatically improve your game. You'll learn proper technique instead of building bad habits that are harder to fix later.
Why Padel Is Perfect for Beginners
There's a reason padel has exploded globally — and it's not just because it's trendy. The sport is genuinely designed to be accessible. The smaller court means less running. The underarm serve removes the biggest barrier in tennis. The walls keep rallies alive longer. And because it's always doubles, there's a built-in social element that makes every session feel more like hanging out with friends than a workout.
Whether you're 15 or 65, athletic or not, padel for beginners is as welcoming as sport gets. All you need is three other people and a court.
Ready to Play? Book Your First Session at Green Padel Club
If you're in Cyprus and wondering where to learn to play padel near you, Green Padel Club in Germasogeia, Limassol is the place. With 6 premium courts, professional coaching, a fully stocked pro shop, and courts available from 7AM to 11:30PM daily, we make it easy to get started — and even easier to get hooked.
Book your court now on Playtomic, or get in touch with us directly:
See you on court. 🏓