Booked your first game and not sure what you have signed up for? Do not worry. Padel is one of the easiest racket sports to pick up, and you can enjoy a game from your very first session. Here is everything you need to know to turn up ready.
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles, two against two, on an enclosed court a bit smaller than a tennis court. The walls are part of the game, so the ball can bounce off the glass and stay in play, a little like squash. You use a solid, stringless bat and a ball that looks like a tennis ball but with slightly less pressure.
It is easy to start and hard to master, which is exactly why it has spread so quickly across Greater Manchester. You do not need a big serve or years of practice to have a proper laugh on court.
What to bring
- A racket, or not. Most Manchester venues have bats to borrow or hire, so you do not need to buy one before your first game. Ask when you book if you are unsure.
- Trainers with a flat, grippy sole. This is the one that matters. Padel or tennis shoes are ideal. Avoid running shoes with deep tread or heavy cushioning, they grip wrong on court turf.
- Comfortable kit. Anything you would wear to the gym. A t-shirt or vest, shorts or leggings, whatever you move freely in.
- Water. Padel is more physical than it looks, lots of short sprints and quick changes of direction. Bring a bottle.
- A light layer. If you are on an outdoor court on a typical Manchester evening, you will want something for the walk in and out.
Balls are not usually included in a casual booking, so bring a tube, most clubs also sell them at the desk if you turn up without.
How to book a court
Most Manchester venues take bookings through an app, usually Playtomic, or through their own website. Pick a venue near you from our venues page, choose a time and pay online, simple as that. Off-peak slots during the day and early week are cheaper than peak evenings and weekends.
You will need four players for a standard game. If you cannot get a group of four together, look for an open session, a social night or an Americano, where the venue pairs players up for you. These are the friendliest way in if you are new.
Where to learn
A taster session or a few beginner lessons before you commit to a regular game will save you a lot of early frustration. Clubs right across the city, from the north side down to Stockport and out towards Trafford, run structured beginner sessions and group coaching. Prices and timings vary, so check with the venue or coach directly before booking.
Basic etiquette
- Turn up on time. Courts are booked in blocks and the group after you is waiting.
- Call the score before you serve so everyone is on the same page.
- Do not apologise for playing the walls, that is the whole point of the game.
- Keep balls off other courts and knock any stray ones back between points, not mid-rally.
- It is doubles, so talk to your partner. A quick word on who takes the middle goes a long way.
How scoring works
If you have watched any tennis, you already know most of it. Points go fifteen, thirty, forty, then game. Win six games to take a set, and most matches are best of three sets. The serve is the one big difference: it goes underarm, bounced once and struck below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box. A full match usually runs somewhere between sixty and ninety minutes.
Do not stress about the details on day one. Your group will keep you right, and by the end of your first session it will all make sense. The best way to learn padel is to play it, and Manchester has never had more places to do exactly that.