Padel, written plainly.
How-to guides, gear reviews, scoring explainers, and regional court guides — all written by humans who actually play the sport.
17 articles
How to Play Padel: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Padel in plain English: the rules, the court, the gear, and what your first session actually looks like — with no jargon.
Padel Rules Explained: Everything You Need to Know
The complete padel rulebook in plain English: serve, walls, lets, double-bounce, lobs over the fence, and every edge case that comes up at recreational play.
Padel vs. Pickleball: Key Differences and Which to Play
Pickleball is the easier sport to start. Padel is the more interesting one to keep playing. Here's the honest head-to-head.
Padel vs. Tennis: Which Is Actually Harder?
An honest breakdown of the physical, technical, and mental demands of padel versus tennis — from someone who's coached both.
Padel Court Dimensions Explained
Every measurement that defines a padel court — playing area, walls, net, service boxes — and how they compare to a tennis court.
How to Serve in Padel: Technique and Common Mistakes
The padel serve is underhand and looks easy. It isn't. Here's the technique that actually wins points and the four mistakes most beginners make.
Padel Scoring Explained: Sets, Games, Tiebreaks, and Golden Point
How padel scoring works — and the three rule variants (golden point, super tiebreak, no-ad) you'll run into at recreational and league play.
What to Wear for Padel: A First-Timer's Gear List
Exactly what to wear (and not wear) for your first padel session. Shoes are the only thing that matters; everything else is preference.
Padel for Beginners: 10 Tips That Actually Work
Ten tips that will improve your padel game in your first month. None of them involve buying gear. Most require unlearning a tennis instinct.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Padel: Which Should You Play?
Indoor padel plays faster and more predictably. Outdoor padel is cheaper and more authentic. Here's how to choose, and what changes about your game.
Padel Doubles Strategy for Beginners
The five doubles patterns every beginner should learn — positioning, movement, the lob, and how to actually win points without trying to hit winners.
Padel in Florida: A Complete State Guide
Florida is the densest padel market in America. Here's where to play in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and the rest of the state — plus what to expect at each scene.
Padel in California: A Complete State Guide
California's padel scene is younger than Florida's but growing fast. Here's where to play in San Diego, LA, the Bay Area, and beyond — plus what makes the California scene different.
Padel in Texas: A Complete State Guide
Texas padel is the fastest-growing scene in the US outside Florida. Here's where to play in Dallas, Houston, and Austin — plus the local scene quirks.
The Bandeja Shot Explained: Padel's Most Important Overhead
The bandeja is the shot that separates good padel from average padel. Here's what it is, when to hit it, and how to actually learn it.
Padel Lingo: A Glossary of 25 Terms Every Player Should Know
From bandeja to chiquita to contrapared — every padel term you'll hear at a club, with plain-English explanations.
Padel Overgrips Guide: What They Do and Which to Buy
Overgrips matter more than you'd expect. Here's what they actually do, when to replace them, and the four worth buying.