Beginner’s Guide to Padel: Rules, Scoring, What to Expect at SMASH

Quick Takeaways

• Padel is easy to learn, with underhand serves, simple rules, and tennis-style scoring that most players pick up quickly.
• SMASH makes starting padel approachable, offering a welcoming environment, available equipment, and guidance for first-time players.
• Most beginners are surprised by how quickly they can rally and enjoy real gameplay during their very first session.
• Padel is social, doubles-based, and fun from day one—making it ideal for friends, couples, and groups trying something new.

If you’re brand new and want a simple, no-pressure explanation of how padel works, how scoring goes, and what your first visit to SMASH will feel like, this guide breaks it all down in an easy, beginner-friendly way.

What Exactly Is Padel?

Padel is often described as “tennis meets squash,” but that comparison doesn’t fully capture how approachable the sport is. It’s played on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls, and those walls are part of the game—they keep rallies going longer and add a dynamic rhythm that feels different from anything else.

Padel is almost always played in doubles. With a smaller court and shared responsibility between partners, beginners tend to feel comfortable quickly. There’s no intimidating overhead serve to learn, no need for extreme power, and no pressure to cover huge distances. The game rewards positioning, teamwork, and smart shot choices more than raw strength.

Most first-timers walk off the court surprised by how quickly they picked it up.

Understanding the Basic Rules



Even if you’ve never played tennis or racquet sports before, padel’s rules are simple and intuitive.

The serve is always underhand and must bounce in the service box before crossing into the diagonal box on the other side. Once the rally begins, the ball can bounce once on the ground and then hit the wall—your side or your opponent’s—and still be in play. This is what creates padel’s signature long rallies and fun, fast exchanges.

You can even use your own back glass wall to return the ball, which can feel strange at first but quickly becomes one of the most exciting parts of learning the game.

While padel does have additional rules and nuances, beginners don’t need to memorize much. Most people learn everything they need to know within the first ten minutes of playing.

Scoring: Easier Than You Think



If you know tennis scoring, you already know padel scoring. Games go from love to 15, 30, 40, and then game point. Sets are typically played to six games.

But don’t let scoring be the reason you hesitate to try the sport. Recreational padel at SMASH is designed to be welcoming, and beginners pick up the flow quickly. The focus is always on learning, enjoying the rallies, and having fun—not keeping perfect track of every point.

What Your First Visit to SMASH Feels Like

Your first time playing padel should feel exciting, not overwhelming, and that’s exactly the experience SMASH is built around.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a bright, upbeat facility filled with players ranging from total beginners to experienced regulars. If it’s your first time, staff will guide you through everything—how to hold the racket, how the walls work, and how to get a simple rally going. You don’t need special gear to start. Padel rackets are available, balls are provided, and any comfortable athletic clothes will do. The court itself is enclosed but spacious, giving you a sense of movement without the intimidation of a huge space.

Most first-timers start with a quick warm-up rally, get a feel for the bounce off the walls, and then ease into a simple game. The small court size and built-in teamwork make padel feel welcoming from the very first moment.

Why Padel Is Perfect for Beginners

Padel strikes a rare balance: it’s beginner-friendly but still fast and exciting. You don’t need a powerful serve, complex footwork, or advanced technique to enjoy yourself. The game naturally creates longer, smoother rallies that feel engaging right away.

As you improve, the sport opens up layers of strategy—angles, shot placement, partner communication—but the learning curve stays fun instead of frustrating.

It’s one of the few sports where you can show up with zero experience and walk away feeling like you actually played the sport on your first day.

Ready to Start Playing?

If you’ve been searching “padel near me” or thinking about trying something new, SMASH is the perfect place to jump in. Whether you come solo, with a friend, or with a group, you’ll find the sport approachable, social, and surprisingly addictive.

Book your first padel session at SMASH, and discover why the sport is taking off around the world—and why so many local players make it a weekly favorite.