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Padel guides

New to padel or looking to level up? Clear, jargon-free guides on the rules, the gear and the game, written to get you onto the court with confidence.

Padel levels explained: what your rating actually means

Beginners

14 July 2026 · 6 min read

Padel levels explained: what your rating actually means

Booking apps ask for a number from 0 to 7 before they will let you join a game, and that number decides who you play with. Here is what the bands mean, why published tables contradict each other, and how to rate yourself honestly.

Technique

12 July 2026 · 6 min read

The Padel Serve and Return

In padel the serve is not a weapon; it is your ticket to the net. Here are the rules as the FIP actually writes them, the two serves worth learning, why the return matters more, and what to do in the seconds right after the ball is struck.

Technique

9 July 2026 · 6 min read

How to Use the Walls in Padel

The glass is the single biggest thing separating padel from tennis, and learning to let the ball come to you off the back wall is the moment the game finally makes sense. Here is the rule, the technique, and the drills.

Padel balls explained: pressure, types and when to replace them

Equipment

6 July 2026 · 6 min read

Padel balls explained: pressure, types and when to replace them

Padel balls look like tennis balls but are slightly smaller and slightly softer, and the whole court is calibrated around that small margin. Here is what the rules actually specify, why balls die whether you play with them or not, how to spot a dead one in seconds, and whether pressurisers are worth the money.

Padel shoes: why they matter more than your racket

Equipment

3 July 2026 · 6 min read

Padel shoes: why they matter more than your racket

Running shoes are the single most common (and most injury-risky) mistake new padel players make. Here is what a padel shoe actually does, how sole patterns work on sand-dressed turf, and how to know when yours are finished.

Padel racket shapes explained: round, teardrop and diamond

Equipment

30 June 2026 · 6 min read

Padel racket shapes explained: round, teardrop and diamond

Round, teardrop and diamond are not just outlines; they move the balance point, which moves the sweet spot. Here is what each shape actually does to your game, and why almost every beginner should start round.

Beginners

23 June 2026 · 6 min read

7 Tips to Level Up Your Padel Game

Seven actionable tips to take you from flailing at the back glass to playing smart, controlled padel. Positioning, the walls, the lob, the bandeja and more.

Technique

13 June 2026 · 7 min read

The Essential Padel Shots Explained

From the bandeja to the chiquita, here are the core padel shots every player should understand: what each one is, when to play it, and one tip to get it working.

Etiquette

8 June 2026 · 6 min read

Padel etiquette: the unwritten rules

Padel is a social game first. Here are the unwritten rules that make you the player everyone wants in their four, from calling lines honestly to sharing the middle.

Padel positioning: where to stand and why

Tactics

3 June 2026 · 7 min read

Padel positioning: where to stand and why

In padel, the team that controls the net controls the point. Here is where to stand, how to move as a pair, when to lob your way forward, and the positioning mistakes that quietly cost beginners every match.

Equipment

28 May 2026 · 6 min read

How to Choose Your Padel Racket

Shape, weight, balance, core and surface all change how a padel racket plays. Here is how to read those specs and pick the right one for your level.

Beginners

21 May 2026 · 5 min read

What to Wear and Bring to Padel: A Beginner's Kit Guide

Heading to your first padel session? Here is exactly what to wear, why court shoes matter more than you think, and a simple checklist of everything to pack in your bag.

Padel vs Tennis: What Is the Difference?

Sport

15 May 2026 · 5 min read

Padel vs Tennis: What Is the Difference?

Padel and tennis share scoring and a racket-sport feel, but the court, walls, equipment and serve set them apart. Here is what actually differs, and why padel is so much easier to pick up.

Rules

4 May 2026 · 6 min read

Padel Rules Explained: A Clear Guide for New Players

A plain-English guide to padel's rules: the underarm serve, tennis-style scoring, playing off the glass walls, when a ball is out, and the mistakes nearly every beginner makes.

Beginners

27 April 2026 · 5 min read

What Is Padel? A Beginner's Guide to the World's Fastest-Growing Racket Sport

Padel is the racket sport everyone is suddenly talking about: doubles, glass walls you can play off, and a learning curve so gentle you'll be rallying within minutes. Here's what it actually is and what your first session looks like.