First game guide
Your first padel game in Lisbon
What to wear, what happens on court, and the few details worth knowing before your first game in Lisbon.
Pack the basics
You can arrive in ordinary sports clothes. A few small choices make the first hour easier.
Court shoes if you have them.
Tennis or padel shoes give you more grip than running shoes on artificial turf. If you only own trainers, use the pair with the least-worn sole.
Clothes with pockets.
You will often hold a spare ball while serving. Pockets save you from putting it behind the fence every two minutes.
Water, plus sun cover outdoors.
Bring water. For an open court, add a cap and sunscreen, especially for a late-afternoon game.
A racket and balls.
Some clubs rent rackets, but check before you leave. Ask the organiser or club whether balls are supplied; do not assume the booking includes them.
Learn the shape of the game
Padel looks familiar for about thirty seconds. Then the glass gets involved.
- 01
Serve underarm and diagonally.
Bounce the ball first, then hit it at or below waist height into the opposite service box. You get two attempts, as in tennis.
- 02
Let the return bounce.
The return of serve has to bounce before you volley it. After that, you can hit the ball out of the air when it makes sense.
- 03
Use the glass after the floor.
If the ball bounces on your side and then reaches the glass, it is still live. One floor bounce is allowed; glass does not count as another bounce.
- 04
Ask about the last point.
Scoring follows tennis, but social games may use a deciding point at 40–40. Ask before the first game starts and nobody has to guess later.
Know where to stand
The easiest first-game rule is to move with your partner, not ahead of them.
Choose a side.
You and your partner each cover one half of the court. Keep that side through the rally unless you have agreed to swap.
Return to your side after serving.
The serve alternates sides. Once the point is under way, get back to your normal position so your partner knows what you are covering.
Move forward and back together.
When you are attacking, both players can move towards the net. When defending, both players should give themselves room near the back glass.
Call the middle ball.
Say “mine” or “yours” early. It feels unnecessary for the first couple of points and then saves a lot of crossed rackets.
Play the social game
The first game is usually more social than serious. The small things matter.
Arrive ten minutes early.
Court time starts when the booking starts. Give yourself a minute to find the entrance, collect a rental racket, and say hello.
Warm up cooperatively.
The warm-up is for finding the ball, not winning points. Hit it back at a pace the other players can use.
Keep the balls moving.
Collect loose balls and pass one to the next server. It is a small courtesy that keeps the game from stopping every point.
Replay a disputed point.
If nobody is sure whether the ball caught glass or fence, replay it. A first social game is a poor place for a long argument.
Say hi, and say thanks.
Introduce yourself at the start, encourage your partner, and thank the other players at the end. That is enough etiquette for day one.
Book with confidence
You do not need to know the perfect club before you start. Check three things before you confirm a court:
- 01
The court setup.
Look for indoor, covered, or outdoor courts and choose a location you can reach without turning the game into a travel project.
- 02
The useful extras.
If they matter to you, check whether the listing mentions racket rental, showers, parking, coaching, or social games.
- 03
The booking path.
Follow the club's listed booking page and confirm the date, duration, price, and what is included before you pay.
Questions people ask before their first game
Do I need to know tennis before playing padel?
No. Tennis experience can help with the scoring and serve, but a first padel game is a reasonable starting point. Tell the organiser you are new so the game can be set up at the right level.
What should I wear to padel?
Normal sports clothes are fine. Choose shoes with grip, and use pockets if you can. For an outdoor court, bring water and sun protection.
Do I need my own padel racket?
Not necessarily. Some clubs rent rackets, but rental is not automatic, so check the club or booking page before you go.
How long does a padel game last?
The booking sets the court time. There is no single duration for every game, so check the length of the slot before you confirm it.
You do not have to be good yet.
Show up, ask the question you think is obvious, and keep the ball moving. The first game is for learning how the court works.