Padel for Beginners: Rules, Tips & Your First Game in Dubai

Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world - and Dubai is no exception. Whether you've seen it played at the JLT lake, been invited by a colleague, or just seen it everywhere on social media, now is the perfect time to try it. The good news: padel is incredibly easy to pick up, even if you've never held a racket before.

What Is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's played on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court, always in doubles (2 vs 2). The court is surrounded by glass walls and metal fencing - and the walls are in play, just like in squash.

The smaller court size and walls make padel much more forgiving than tennis. Rallies last longer, the ball travels more slowly, and reading the game is far easier. This is why complete beginners can have genuinely fun games within their first hour.

The Basic Rules

Serving

Serves must be underarm - you bounce the ball and hit it below waist height, diagonally into the opponent's service box (same as tennis). The ball must bounce once in the service box; if it hits the back wall after bouncing, that's still in play.

Scoring

Padel uses the same scoring as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Sets are first to 6 games (with a tiebreak at 6-6), and matches are usually best of 3 sets. For casual games, many players just play sets or even timed sessions.

The Walls

This is what makes padel unique. After the ball bounces in your court, you can play it off the walls - including your own back wall and side walls. This means a ball that looks like it's going out can bounce back into play, opening up completely new angles and strategies.

• The ball can hit the walls after bouncing on your side - still in play
• The ball cannot hit the net before bouncing on the opponent's side
• If the ball goes over the fence (out of the court), it's out
• You can exit the court through the doors to retrieve a ball - and still play it

Essential Beginner Tips

1. Stay at the net

In padel, the net position wins points. Unlike tennis where the baseline is often dominant, padel rewards teams who control the net. Move forward after your serve and try to maintain a net position throughout the rally.

2. Use the walls

Don't be afraid of the walls - they're your biggest advantage as a beginner. When the ball comes to your back wall, let it come to you rather than chasing it forward. Practice reading the wall bounces and you'll improve quickly.

3. Communicate with your partner

Padel is a doubles game. Simple calls like "mine" or "yours" prevent the most common beginner mistakes. Talk constantly, cover each other, and move together as a unit.

4. Keep it simple

As a beginner, focus on consistency over power. A soft, controlled shot that goes in is always better than a powerful shot that goes out. The slower pace of padel rewards patience.

What Equipment Do You Need?

For your first game in Dubai, you need very little:

• Padel racket - available to rent at Padel Islands for 25 AED
• Padel balls - available to rent (25 AED) or purchase (40 AED) at the venue
• Sports clothes and non-marking court shoes
• Water - Dubai is hot, even in the evenings

You do not need to own any equipment for your first game. Most venues in Dubai, including Padel Islands, offer full rental options.

Booking Your First Court in Dubai

The most popular way to book padel courts in Dubai is through Playtomic, the dedicated padel booking app. At Padel Islands JLT, you can book directly through Playtomic and choose from morning, lunch, or evening slots - all at different price points.

If you're a complete beginner, we'd recommend booking a coaching session alongside your first court hire. At Padel Islands, 60-minute coaching sessions start from 450 AED and are run by certified coaches who are used to working with first-timers.