Lesson 2: The Playing Area and Equipment

Understanding the court is essential before you pick up a racket. **The Court:** - The court is a rectangle **20 m long and 10 m wide**. - It is completely **enclosed** by walls made of glass and metal mesh fencing — both are part of the playing area. - The court is divided in the middle by a **net**, which stands **88 cm high at the centre** and up to **92 cm at the posts**. **Service Area:** - A line **6.95 m from the net** on each side marks the service zone. - A **centre service line** divides each service zone into two boxes. **Key Equipment:** - Players use a **padel racket** (solid, no strings) and a **padel ball**, similar to a tennis ball but with slightly less pressure. **Important:** Because the walls are part of the court, the ball can legally **rebound off the glass walls** during a rally — this is one of padel's most unique and fun features! Learning to use and read wall rebounds is a big part of the game.