Category
Beginners.
Getting started with padel — rules, kit, your first session, and the LTA pathway.
60 posts in Beginners
Padel Bandeja Shot Explained UK 2026
Padel bandeja UK 2026: when to use the defensive overhead, technique, body position, common errors, and how it differs from vibora and smash.
scoring
Padel Scoring Explained 2026: Star Point and Tiebreaks
How padel scoring works in 2026 - points, games, sets, tiebreaks, and the three deuce options under FIP rules: Advantage, Star Point, and Golden Point.
padel vs pickleball
Padel vs Pickleball UK: Which Is Right for You?
Padel vs pickleball in the UK in 2026: how the courts, rackets, scoring and growth trajectories differ - and which sport suits new players better.
padel basics
Padel for Beginners UK 2026: The Complete Guide
Everything UK beginners need to start playing padel in 2026 - rules, kit, costs, etiquette, and how the LTA pathway works.
lta padel
LTA Padel Pathway Explained: Grades 5 to 1 (2026 UK)
How the LTA padel pathway actually works in 2026 - Grade 5 entry events, the LTA ranking system, what each level demands, and how to plan a season.
beginners
Padel vs Tennis: How They Differ and Which to Pick
Padel and tennis look similar but play very differently. Court, rackets, serve, walls, and crossover tips for tennis players in 2026 UK.
padel rules
Padel Rules Explained 2026: A Complete UK Guide
A complete guide to padel rules for UK players in 2026 - court layout, scoring, serves, wall play, the new FIP changes, and the faults most amateurs miss.
King of the Court Padel: Rules and How to Run One (UK 2026)
King of the Court padel explained: the court ladder, round timing, tie rules, and when to pick KOTC over an Americano or Mexicano.
beginners
Padel Serve Rules, Faults and Lets Explained (UK)
Padel serve rules explained: the legal underarm serve, what counts as a fault, lets and net cords, second serves, and the 2026 FIP rule change.
injuries
Padel Injuries Beyond the Elbow: Knee, Shoulder, Ankle
After tennis elbow, padel's commonest injuries hit the knee, shoulder, ankle and lower back. What causes them, how to prevent them, and when to see a GP.
padel
Prescription Glasses and Contacts for Padel
Can you wear glasses to play padel? Why regular specs are risky, why contacts plus impact-rated goggles win, and the real eye-injury danger in padel.
padel tactics
Padel Hand Signals and On-Court Communication
Padel hand signals explained: the behind-the-back serve signals, the verbal calls that matter, and how to build a system with your partner.
padel
Playing Padel in the Rain and on Wet Courts
Can you play padel in the rain? Why wet courts are slippery and risky, how indoor and covered courts help, what clubs do, and kit for damp UK weather.
Padel for Kids: Getting Started (UK 2026)
A parent's guide to padel for kids in the UK: what age to start, junior rackets, finding LTA coaching, and what to expect at a first session.
padel fitness
Is Padel Good Exercise? Calories and Fitness Benefits
Is padel good exercise? Yes - a typical hour burns around 400-600 calories and gives a full-body cardio workout. Here's what the numbers show.
padel
Padel Glossary: Key Terms Explained (2026)
A padel glossary of key terms for UK players: shots like bandeja and vibora, the walls and por tres, scoring, tactics and gear, explained simply.
Padel String Tension Explained UK 2026
Padel string tension UK 2026: tension matters less in padel than tennis - here's what does affect power vs control.
Padel Doubles Tactics: Partner Positioning UK 2026
Padel doubles positioning UK 2026: net pairing, side-switching, who takes the middle, communication patterns, and recovery after each shot.
Padel Court Etiquette Beyond Basics UK 2026
Advanced padel etiquette UK 2026: between-game conventions, mixed doubles, club culture, social conventions beyond basics.
padel
The Padel Smash (Remate): How to Hit It (2026)
The padel smash (remate) explained: when to smash, the grip and technique, the por tres and por cuatro, and how it compares with the bandeja and vibora.
padel technique
How to Serve in Padel: The Complete Underarm Guide
The padel serve is underarm-only and almost never wins points outright. The complete guide to rules, mechanics, serve types, and common beginner mistakes.
beginners
Mixed Doubles Padel Strategy (UK 2026)
Mixed doubles padel strategy: positioning, who covers the middle, handling being targeted, communication and the tactics that win mixed matches.
beginners
Padel Nutrition and Hydration: Fuelling for Play
Padel nutrition and hydration made simple: what to eat before, during and after play, fuelling for long tournament days, and staying hydrated on court.
beginners
The Australian Formation in Padel (UK 2026)
The Australian formation in padel: what it is, why high-level pairs use it to disrupt the return, how to play it, and when it's worth trying.
beginners
Padel vs Beach Tennis: What's the Difference? (UK 2026)
Padel vs beach tennis compared: courts, nets, the no-bounce rule, equipment and where to play each in the UK - and which racket sport suits you.
beginners
Padel Shot Selection: Which Shot to Play and When
Padel shot selection made simple: when to lob, drive, dink, bandeja or smash - a decision framework based on court position and ball height.
beginners
The Out-of-Court Ball in Padel: Playing Through the Door
The out-of-court ball in padel explained: when you can chase a ball through the door and play it back, the rules, which courts allow it, and how to do it.
beginners
Padel Court Dimensions and Net Height Explained
Official padel court dimensions: the 20x10m size, net height, service lines, wall and glass specs to FIP standards - and how it compares to a tennis court.
beginners
Padel vs Squash: Which Should You Play? (UK 2026)
Padel vs squash compared for UK players: court, equipment, intensity, learning curve, cost and social appeal - and which racket sport suits you best.
beginners
How to Enter Your First Padel Tournament (UK 2026)
How to enter your first padel tournament in the UK: the LTA membership you need, picking a Grade 5 or 6 event, booking, and what to expect on the day.
health
Padel Elbow: Causes, Treatment and Prevention (UK)
Padel elbow (tennis elbow) explained: what causes it, the symptoms, how it's treated, and how to prevent it with grip size, racket choice and technique.
rules
Padel Golden Point and Tie-Break Rules Explained
How the padel golden point and tie-break work: the 40-40 deciding point, who chooses the side, tie-break scoring, and how sets and matches are won.
solo drills
Padel Solo Drills: How to Improve Without a Partner
Padel solo drills that build real skill without a partner: wall hitting, serve targets, lob depth and overhead rehearsal, with reps and targets for each.
formats
Padel Americano Format Explained (UK 2026)
How the padel Americano format works: rotating partners, individual scoring, points per round, and how it differs from a Mexicano. The UK 2026 guide.
formats
Padel Mexicano Format Explained (UK 2026)
How the padel Mexicano format works: leaderboard-based pairings each round, individual scoring, and how it differs from an Americano. The UK 2026 guide.
padel
Indoor vs Outdoor Padel: Which Is Better? (2026)
Indoor vs outdoor padel compared: reliability, cost, how wind and weather change the game, and which to choose in the UK climate.
padel
Padel for Tennis Players: The 5 Biggest Adjustments
Coming to padel from tennis? Scoring is identical, but five things need unlearning: wall play, racket weight, swing, net position and the serve.
Padel for Left Handers UK 2026
Padel for left-handed UK players 2026: doubles geometry advantages, racket considerations, finding lefty partners + UK community.
Padel Injury Prevention UK 2026
Padel injury prevention UK 2026: tennis elbow, ankle sprains, shoulder strain. Warm-up routine, equipment choices, common technique fixes for club players.
Padel Doubles vs Singles Format UK 2026
Padel doubles vs singles UK 2026: court differences, rules, fitness demands, where to play singles in the UK.
Padel Coaching Cost UK 2026: Lessons + Academies
Padel coaching cost UK 2026: group lessons £15-£30, private £45-£80/hr. LTA coaches, academies, club packages, choosing a coach.
Padel Paddle Holes Perforation Guide UK 2026
Padel paddle holes UK 2026: hole count, sizes, patterns - how perforation affects spin, power, control, and pre-purchase decisions.
padel etiquette
Padel Etiquette UK: The Unwritten Rules for Club Play
From walking behind active courts to who calls the score, the unwritten padel etiquette rules every UK club player should know - written down at last.
padel
Padel Warm-Up Routine to Prevent Injury (UK 2026)
A dynamic 8 to 10 minute padel warm-up that primes shoulders, wrists, hips and ankles to cut injury risk, plus what to skip and how to cool down.
padel
How to Play Off the Back Glass in Padel (2026)
How to play off the back glass in padel: reading the rebound, footwork, timing and the common mistakes that cost beginners easy points.
padel
Your First Padel Session: What to Expect (2026)
Your first padel session, explained: what to bring, how to book and find players, what happens on court, the one rule to know, and what it costs.
padel
Common Padel Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes) 2026
The most common padel beginner mistakes and how to fix them: hitting too hard, not using the walls, poor positioning and rushing the net.
padel
How to Play Off the Side Wall in Padel (2026)
How to play off the side wall in padel: reading side-then-back vs back-then-side balls, the footwork, timing the rebound and resetting with a lob.
padel
How to Return Serve in Padel UK 2026
How to return serve in padel: where to stand, the best low return or lob, hitting the ball off the back glass, and the move to the net that wins points.
padel
The Gancho (Hook Smash) in Padel UK 2026
The gancho or hook shot in padel explained: the advanced overhead that rescues a high ball escaping off the side glass, when to use it and how to hit it.
padel technique
Padel Lob Shot Technique UK 2026: A Complete Guide
Padel lob shot technique guide UK 2026 - defensive and offensive lobs, when to use, common mistakes, drills. Master the most under-rated padel shot.
padel
Padel Footwork Drills UK 2026
Padel footwork drills to move better: the split step, lateral shuffles, the side-on cross-step, solo shadow drills, and the mistakes that slow you down.
padel
The Chiquita Shot in Padel UK 2026
The chiquita shot in padel explained: the soft, low ball that wins you the net, when to play it, how to hit it, where to aim and common mistakes.
padel
The Padel Volley: Technique and Tips (2026)
Padel volley technique explained: the continental grip, ready position, the split step, a short punchy stroke, forehand vs backhand, and common mistakes.
padel
The Vibora Shot in Padel UK 2026: How and When
The vibora shot in padel explained: what it is, when to use it, the grip, swing and spin, and how it differs from the bandeja and smash.
Padel Court Positioning Fundamentals UK 2026
Padel court positioning UK 2026: net vs baseline play, partner coverage, attacking vs defensive, wall play positioning.
Padel Fitness Training UK 2026
Padel fitness training UK 2026: cardio, lateral movement, reaction time, racket-specific exercises - off-court training programme.
Padel for Seniors Over 50 UK 2026
Padel for over-50s UK 2026: physical adaptations, injury prevention, recommended rackets, senior leagues + UK clubs.
padel partner
How to Find a Padel Partner in the UK (2026 Guide)
How to find a padel partner in the UK in 2026 - Playtomic Open Matches, MATCHi, club mixers, coaching, and the etiquette of joining a 4.
junior padel
British Padel Junior Pathway 2026: Parent's Guide
British Padel junior pathway 2026: LTA Mini Padel, U10/U12/U14/U16 levels, national rankings, regional academies, tournament calendar.