TP Academy

Padel is played with solid rackets and walls are part of the game, while pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball and is played on a flat court with no walls.

Playtomic is a popular padel app used in the UK and globally to book courts, join matches, track stats, and manage club access.

The UK has more than 1,000 padel courts, with dozens more under development each year.

Yes, ratings update automatically based on performance, so they can rise or fall depending on match outcomes.

Most venues show live or upcoming availability online via their website or booking platforms.

As of 2024, there are estimated to be over 150,000 active padel players in the UK.

Social mix-ins are organised group play sessions where players are rotated to mix experience and meet others.

Clubs use ratings to organise fair matches, seed tournaments, and place players in the correct box leagues or divisions.

Wear light, breathable sportswear and supportive footwear. Standard tennis or gym clothing works well.

Points are scored just like in tennis: 15, 30, 40, and game. You must win by two clear points.

Yes, most clubs are now cashless and use online systems for bookings and payments.

Each venue has its own policy, but most allow free cancellations up to 24 hours before play.

Yes, social games and drop-in sessions are ideal for casual players and newcomers.

Register for an LTA Advantage account and play in rated events or leagues — your performance will determine your initial rating.

A point begins with a serve — underarm and diagonal into the opponent’s service box.

Padel is played with four players — two per team. Singles is uncommon and requires a smaller court.

Yes, beginners can start immediately with basic guidance. It’s very accessible and easy to learn the fundamentals.

Yes, TrustPadel integrates with the LTA padel rating system and supports tracking your progress through linked matches and events.

Yes, many clubs run junior classes tailored to age and skill level to introduce children to padel.

The ball must bounce behind the service line before being struck underarm into the opposite diagonal box.

Padel is primarily played in doubles format; singles is possible but rare and requires a smaller court.

At this time, result logging is not available on TrustPadel.

Yes, most clubs have on-site or partner shops offering rackets, balls, and padel-specific apparel.

The ball can legally hit the walls after it has bounced on the ground. You may also play shots off your own glass to reach the other side.

Yes, many venues allow non-members to book courts, though availability may be limited.

Sets end when one team reaches 6 games with at least a 2-game lead or wins the tiebreak at 6–6.

Balls typically need replacing every few sessions depending on frequency of play and surface wear.

Yes, players can exit the court through the side doors to chase and return a ball that has bounced and exited.

Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, played in doubles on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court.

The final winner is the team that wins 2 out of 3 sets in standard match formats.

The underarm serve must be executed after the ball bounces once, and the ball must be struck below waist height.

Most clubs welcome players from age 6 and up, with no upper age limit — padel is suitable for all generations.

A 'let' serve is one that touches the net but lands correctly in the service box — the server re-serves the point.

TrustPadel is mobile-optimised and will launch a dedicated app in future phases to enhance booking, tracking, and social features.

A few high-end clubs may offer court cameras for performance review or streaming matches, but it’s not standard.

Yes, clubs frequently host tournaments ranging from social fun formats to competitive events.

Yes, many padel clubs run WhatsApp groups to connect players, share updates, and organise friendly games.

Yes, apps like Playtomic and others offer matchmaking features based on your rating, location, and preferred times.

Enrique Corcuera from Mexico is credited with inventing padel in 1969.

No, padel rackets are solid (no strings) and perforated to reduce air resistance.

Yes, after the ball bounces, you can let it hit your own glass wall before playing your return.

Padel equipment is competitively priced. Entry-level rackets start at around £40–£60, with balls costing £5–£8 per can.

A serve is a fault if it lands outside the box, hits the cage after bouncing, or is struck above the waist.

The Golden Point rule is an alternative to standard deuce. At 40–40, a single point decides the game. The receiving team chooses who receives the serve.

Most players can enjoy padel after just one session, though mastering the use of walls and tactics takes more time.

Padel is relatively affordable compared to other sports, especially since costs are shared between four players.

Padel is growing rapidly due to its social, accessible, and fun nature. It requires minimal learning time and suits all ages.

Padel-specific shoes with a herringbone sole are best, providing grip for the sand-covered artificial turf found on padel courts.

Yes, many venues offer concessions or discounted pricing for juniors, students, and senior players.

Yes, TrustPadel features one of the most up-to-date directories of padel venues across the UK, including both public and private clubs.

Yes, many padel venues offer racket hire for a small fee, ideal for beginners or casual players.

Courts can be either indoor or outdoor. In the UK, both types are common depending on the club.

A tiebreak is played when the set reaches 6–6. The winner is the first to 7 points with a 2-point margin.

Some apps and club platforms let you track match history, personal performance, and progress over time.

In the UK, competitions include LTA-sanctioned tournaments, local club leagues, regional events, and national championships.

A set consists of a minimum of 6 games, and must be won by at least 2 games (e.g., 6–4).

You can view your rating by logging into your LTA Advantage account and checking your player profile.

Yes, the ball must bounce before you hit your serve — no direct-hit serves are allowed.

If the serve hits the net and lands legally in the service box, it’s a 'let' and is replayed with no penalty.

TrustPadel is a UK-based platform dedicated to promoting padel through club listings, verified directories, events, player matching, and educational content.

Beginner sessions are widely available, often run in small groups focusing on technique, rules, and court awareness.

Ratings are calculated based on match results in official competitions, taking into account the level of your opponents.

Most padel sets use a tiebreak if the score reaches 6–6, particularly in competitive play.

Padel uses pressurised balls that are similar to tennis balls but with slightly less bounce, tailored for the smaller court and wall interaction.

Matches are usually best of 3 sets. The team that wins 2 sets first wins the match.

Players serve alternately every two points during a tiebreak. The first to 7 with a 2-point lead wins.

Yes, padel is suitable for all ages and is easy to pick up, making it ideal for families and beginners.

TrustPadel helps players by offering a complete guide to UK clubs, booking tools, rating insights, coaching resources, and ways to connect with partners of similar ability.

No, tennis balls bounce too high and are not suitable for the pace and style of padel.

Costs vary, but a typical court rental is around £20–£40 per hour (split between four players).

Yes, core features such as club search, directory access, and beginner resources are free. Some premium services may be available for clubs or event organisers.

Yes, Playtomic is widely used in the UK to find, book, and join padel games at affiliated clubs.

Yes, only competitive match results (not social play) influence your rating within the LTA system.

No, serves must be underarm and struck below waist height after the ball bounces once.

Yes, as long as the ball has only bounced once, you can return it from outside the court after retrieving it through the door.

If your booking is outdoors and weather-dependent, many clubs offer rebooking or cancellation credits.

Yes, many clubs use digital management systems for court bookings, memberships, payments, and scheduling coaching sessions.

Yes, padel is increasingly being introduced in school sports programs as part of its development strategy across the UK.

Yes, an LTA Advantage account is required for anyone looking to compete in rated events or track their official progress.

At 40–40, it’s called deuce. To win the game, a team must win two consecutive points: advantage, then game.

TrustPadel offers beginner guides, FAQs, video tutorials, and easy-to-use tools to get players started and find games that match their level.

You can self-rate initially when joining a league, but your rating becomes official after verified match results are recorded.

TrustPadel offers one of the UK's most comprehensive padel directories, featuring verified clubs, public and private courts, coaching services, events, and player matchmaking tools. The directory is updated regularly to ensure accuracy and is designed to help players of all levels find the best places to play across the UK.

Yes, coaches can list their services, availability, and credentials on the TrustPadel platform to connect with students across the UK.

Some clubs and shops offer demo rackets so you can test before purchasing — check with your local venue.

A 'live' ball is still in play; a 'dead' ball has either bounced twice, gone out, or violated a rule and ends the point.

Ratings range from 1.0 (beginner) to 7.0 (elite). Most recreational players are rated between 2.0 and 4.5.

TrustPadel partners with clubs to promote and help organise leagues, tournaments, and social events for players of all levels.

Yes, a legal serve may bounce and hit the back glass. If it hits the cage after bouncing, it’s a fault.

Only one bounce is allowed before returning the ball. A second bounce ends the point in favor of your opponent.

This varies by club, but many allow bookings 7–21 days in advance.

Yes, junior coaching is available at most active padel venues and follows age-based progression.

Not always. Many clubs offer pay-and-play options for non-members.

Yes, volleys are allowed in padel — you can strike the ball out of the air except on the serve.

A padel court is 20 metres long by 10 metres wide, enclosed with glass and mesh fencing.

You can find courts using websites like the LTA Padel Finder, Playtomic app, or your local club’s site.

Yes, group coaching is common and typically more affordable than private lessons.

Join leagues, take group coaching, and use club memberships or apps to reduce costs with bundled pricing or offers.

Most beginners use a round-shaped racket, which offers control and ease of use. As players progress, they may choose diamond or teardrop shapes for more power.

No, you can’t intentionally block a shot with the wall. The walls are passive — rebounds are allowed, but not for blocking.

Padel is played in doubles, uses walls as part of play, and involves underarm serves, unlike tennis which is often singles and has no wall interaction.

LTA Padel ratings are a numeric system (1.0–7.0) reflecting your competitive level, used to ensure fair match play and track progress.

Yes, apps like Playtomic and club systems often include tools to find players at similar levels or post open games.

You can book courts, join games, and receive notifications about availability using padel-specific apps like Playtomic.

If the ball hits the cage before bouncing on the court, it's out and the point is lost.

There is active lobbying by the FIP and national federations to include padel in future Olympic Games.

Basic fitness helps, but padel is not overly demanding and is often played for fun and social engagement.

Padel originated in Mexico in 1969, when Enrique Corcuera adapted his squash court to create the sport.

A ball is out if it hits the cage or wall without first bouncing in the court, or if it bounces twice before a return.