New to padel

Never played padel? Start here.

Rules, booking, equipment, finding partners: everything you need to know before your first game. Padel is the easiest racket sport to pick up, and most beginners enjoy real rallies within their first hour.

The basics

Padel in 30 seconds

Born in Mexico in 1969 and now a phenomenon in Spain and across the world, padel sits between tennis and squash. It is played in doubles on a compact court enclosed by glass walls that keep the ball in play.

20 × 10 m

A compact court surrounded by glass and mesh: you are always close to the action.

2 vs 2

Padel is always played in doubles, which makes it social by nature.

1 hour

Enough for most beginners to enjoy real rallies, thanks to the underhand serve and the walls.

The rules

6 rules to know before stepping on court

What is Padel? Padel Tennis Explained · P1 Padel, in English. The video loads from YouTube when you press play.

Underhand serve

Bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it at or below waist height, diagonally into the opponents’ service box. You get two attempts, like in tennis.

One bounce, then the walls

The ball must bounce once on the ground in the opponents’ half. After that bounce, it can hit the glass walls and stay in play.

Play off the glass

On your side, you can let the ball bounce and come back off the glass before hitting it. It is what makes padel unique, and forgiving for beginners.

Volleys allowed

You can hit the ball before it bounces, except on the return of serve, which must bounce first.

Your shot lands directly

Your shot must reach the opponents’ ground directly. You may use your own walls to send it back, but it must not touch their walls or fence before bouncing.

Scoring like tennis

15, 30, 40, game. The first pair to win 6 games, with a 2-game lead, takes the set. Matches are usually played over the best of three sets.

No need to memorise everything: coaches and staff explain the rules during your first session.

Booking

Book a court in 3 steps

Everything happens in the Hanoi Padel Club app, on your phone, in a few taps.

  • 1Download the Hanoi Padel Club app (coming soon) and create your account, choosing your level (0 if you have never played).
  • 2Pick a day, a time and a court, then invite your partners or open the game to other players.
  • 3Confirm and pay in the app. Your booking is confirmed instantly.

The app will be available before opening. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive the download link.

Equipment

No racket? No problem.

Rackets for rent

Padel rackets can be rented at reception for each session. A good way to try several models before buying your own.

Balls at reception

Padel balls are sold at reception. One tube is enough for a game between four players.

What to wear

Comfortable sportswear and court shoes with tennis or padel soles. Avoid running shoes: they offer little lateral support on the court surface.

Finding partners

Fewer than 4? We complete the game.

Padel is played 2 vs 2, but you never need to bring a full team. Come alone or as a pair: the club helps you find partners at your level.

Open matches

Join a game published in the app, filtered by level, or open your own and let others join.

Americanos

Regular social sessions where you come alone and change partner every match. The best way to meet the community.

Group lessons

Small-group classes for beginners, led by a coach. No partners needed: just show up.

We connect you

Tell the team when you would like to play: they put you in touch with players of your level.

Staff can join in

Missing a player? Club staff, able to play up to intermediate level, can complete your game, subject to availability.

FAQ

Beginner questions

Do I need to have played tennis or squash?

Not at all. Padel is easier to start than tennis: the court is small, the serve is underhand and the walls give you a second chance. Racket-sport players progress quickly, but complete beginners have fun from the very first session.

Is it physically demanding?

You choose the intensity. Padel is played at a relaxed pace between friends as much as at a high tempo in competition. The small court means short sprints rather than long runs.

What does a level from 0 to 7 mean?

The app uses a level scale from 0 (first time) to 7 (professional). It helps everyone find balanced games. As a beginner you start at 0, and your level evolves with your results.

From what age can you play?

Padel is played at every age, from children to seniors, because it relies more on placement and teamwork than on power.

Your first time

Start with a discovery session

A session with a coach and other beginners to learn the basic shots, the rules and how to use the walls. Rackets can be rented on site. Details and prices will be announced before opening.

Hanoi Padel Club

Reserve your place

Join the founding member list.