Category

Beginners.

Getting started with padel — rules, kit, your first session, and the LTA pathway.

39 posts in Beginners

Padel for Kids: Getting Started (UK 2026)

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.
22 June 2026
Indoor vs Outdoor Padel: Which Is Better? (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
How to Play Off the Back Glass in Padel (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
How to Serve in Padel: The Complete Underarm Guide

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Your First Padel Session: What to Expect (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Common Padel Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes) 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Padel Glossary: Key Terms Explained (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
How to Play Off the Side Wall in Padel (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
How to Return Serve in Padel UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
The Gancho (Hook Smash) in Padel UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Padel Lob Shot Technique UK 2026: A Complete Guide

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Padel Bandeja Shot Explained UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Padel Footwork Drills UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
The Chiquita Shot in Padel UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
The Padel Volley: Technique and Tips (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
The Padel Smash (Remate): How to Hit It (2026)

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
The Vibora Shot in Padel UK 2026: How and When

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.
Rob Griffiths22 June 2026
Padel Court Positioning Fundamentals UK 2026

Padel Court Positioning Fundamentals UK 2026

Padel court positioning UK 2026: net vs baseline play, partner coverage, attacking vs defensive, wall play positioning.
Rob Griffiths20 June 2026
Padel Solo Drills: How to Improve Without a Partner

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.
Rob Griffiths20 June 2026
Padel for Tennis Players: The 5 Biggest Adjustments

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.
Rob Griffiths18 June 2026
Padel Paddle Holes Perforation Guide UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
Padel for Left Handers UK 2026

Padel for Left Handers UK 2026

Padel for left-handed UK players 2026: doubles geometry advantages, racket considerations, finding lefty partners + UK community.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
Padel Court Etiquette Beyond Basics UK 2026

Padel Court Etiquette Beyond Basics UK 2026

Advanced padel etiquette UK 2026: between-game conventions, mixed doubles, club culture, social conventions beyond basics.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
Padel Doubles vs Singles Format UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
Padel Fitness Training UK 2026

Padel Fitness Training UK 2026

Padel fitness training UK 2026: cardio, lateral movement, reaction time, racket-specific exercises - off-court training programme.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
Padel for Seniors Over 50 UK 2026

Padel for Seniors Over 50 UK 2026

Padel for over-50s UK 2026: physical adaptations, injury prevention, recommended rackets, senior leagues + UK clubs.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
Padel String Tension Explained UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths17 June 2026
LTA Padel Pathway Explained: Grades 5 to 1 (2026 UK)

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
Padel vs Pickleball UK: Which Is Right for You?

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
How to Find a Padel Partner in the UK (2026 Guide)

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
Padel Scoring Explained 2026: Star Point and Tiebreaks

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
Padel vs Tennis: How They Differ and Which to Pick

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
Padel Rules Explained 2026: A Complete UK Guide

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
Padel for Beginners UK 2026: The Complete Guide

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.
Rob Griffiths14 June 2026
Padel Coaching Cost UK 2026: Lessons + Academies

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.
Rob Griffiths12 June 2026
Padel Injury Prevention UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths12 June 2026
Padel Doubles Tactics: Partner Positioning UK 2026

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.
Rob Griffiths12 June 2026
Padel Etiquette UK: The Unwritten Rules for Club Play

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.
Rob Griffiths8 June 2026
British Padel Junior Pathway 2026: Parent's Guide

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.
Rob Griffiths6 June 2026