A Beginner’s Guide to Padel Language: Terms Every New Player Needs to Know

If you’re just starting out with padel, it can be hard to follow the conversation among regular players. The sport has its own unique lingo, and picking it up can go a long way in making you feel like part of the group. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the basic terms you’ll need to know to start sounding like a true padel player.

The Court

The first thing you’ll need to know is the layout of the court. The padel court is rectangular in shape and measures 10 metres wide and 20 metres long. There are two service boxes on either side of the net, and these are the areas where the ball must land when you serve.

The Serves

Speaking of serving, there are a few terms you’ll need to understand here as well. The person serving is referred to as the “server”, and the person receiving the serve is the “receiver”. When the server hits the ball into the service box on their side of the court, this is referred to as a “first serve”. If they miss the service box, they get a “second serve”. If they miss the service box again, they lose the point.

The Shots

Now that you understand the basics of serving, let’s take a look at some of the different shots you’ll be hitting during a game of padel.

The most common shot in padel is the forehand. This is where the player hits the ball with their dominant hand on the same side as the ball. The backhand is when the player hits the ball with their non-dominant hand on the opposite side of their body. When a player hits the ball just after it bounces off the wall, this is referred to as a “volley”. A “smash” is when a player hits the ball hard and high, usually aiming for a winner.

The Scoring

Finally, we can’t forget about the scoring system in padel. Unlike in tennis, where only the server can score a point, in padel, either player can score a point on any serve. The first player or team to reach six games wins the set. If the score is tied at five games each, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner.

Conclusion

Learning the padel language can take some time, but the more you play, the easier it will become. Understanding these basic terms will help you communicate with other players and follow the action on the court. So get out there and start practicing your serves, forehands, and backhands, and soon enough, you’ll be speaking padel like a pro!