Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and in recent years it has taken Israel by storm too. It's easy to learn, exceptionally social, and gets you into a real game from your very first try. In this guide you'll find everything you need to get started: what padel is, what gear you need, the basic rules, beginner tips, and how to find a court and partners to play with.
So what exactly is padel?
Padel is played in doubles (2 vs. 2) on an enclosed court roughly 10 by 20 meters, surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh. You play with a solid, stringless racket and a ball similar to a tennis ball but at slightly lower pressure. The big difference from tennis: the walls are part of the game. The ball can bounce off the wall and you keep playing, much like in squash. That combination makes padel dynamic, tactical, and incredibly fun.
Why padel is right for almost anyone
- Easy to start: the court is smaller than a tennis court and the racket is light and easy to control. Most people manage to keep a rally going in their very first lesson.
- Social: it's always played in doubles, so it's a game that brings people together and builds community.
- Fun at any age and level: great for kids, adults, beginners and pros alike.
The gear you need to get started
Padel racket
You don't need an expensive racket to begin. A light racket with a large "sweet spot" (teardrop or round shape) will be more forgiving and help you learn faster.
Balls
Dedicated padel balls, similar to tennis balls but at slightly lower pressure, which suits playing off the walls.
Shoes and clothing
Sports shoes with good grip (tennis/padel shoes are ideal) and comfortable sportswear. That's it, you don't need anything more.
The basic rules of padel (in brief)
- Scoring: the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game; a set is played to 6 games.
- Serve: below waist height, after one bounce, diagonally (just like in tennis).
- The walls: after the ball has bounced once on the floor on your side, it may hit the wall and you can still return it. The ball must not hit the wall before it touches the floor on your side.
- Objective: to make the ball bounce twice on the opponent's side, or have the opponent fail to return it legally.
That's the basics, and you learn all the finer points best while playing.
5 tips for beginners
- Patience over power: in padel, positioning and timing beat raw force. Don't try to "smash" the ball.
- Play with the walls: don't be afraid of the wall, it's your ally. Let the ball bounce and learn to read it.
- Communicate with your partner: call "mine" / "yours". Good padel is first and foremost about teamwork as a pair.
- Returns above all: most points are lost on errors, so just get the ball back and let your opponent make the mistake.
- Play against people at your level: a balanced match means faster improvement, less frustration, and real fun.
How to find a padel court and partners to play with in Israel
The number of padel courts in Israel is growing at a dizzying pace: in Tel Aviv and the center, the Sharon region, Jerusalem, Haifa and the north, and the periphery. The real challenge usually isn't the court, but finding partners at your level, at a time that works for you.
That's exactly why we built PlayRocket: an app that matches you with partners by skill level and location, shows open games you can join, and helps you coordinate everything in one place, without five more WhatsApp groups and endless back-and-forth. And it's not just for padel: it's also for tennis, pickleball, badminton, beach tennis, squash, table tennis and volleyball.
Want to start playing padel?
Join the PlayRocket waitlist and be among the first to find partners and courts in your area.
Join the waitlist →Frequently asked questions about padel
Is padel hard to learn?
No. Padel is considered one of the easiest racket sports to pick up. The court is smaller than a tennis court and the racket is light and easy to control, so most people manage to keep a rally going in their very first lesson.
What's the difference between padel and tennis?
Padel is always played in doubles on an enclosed court where the walls are part of the game, with a solid stringless racket and an underhand serve below waist height. It's easier to learn and more social than tennis.
What gear do you need to start?
A padel racket, padel balls, sports shoes with good grip and comfortable clothing. Beginners should go for a light racket with a large sweet spot, and you can rent a racket at the court before buying.
Do you need a regular partner to play?
No. You can find partners and open games by skill level and location through apps like PlayRocket, even without a regular group.
How do you find a padel court in Israel?
The number of padel courts in Israel is growing fast all over the country. The easiest way to find an available court and partners to play with is through a dedicated app like PlayRocket, which finds games and players in your area.
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