A Beginner’s Guide to Padel: Overview and Origins

If you’re a fan of racquet sports, chances are you’ve heard of padel. This fast-paced game has been growing in popularity around the world, and for good reason. Padel is a fun and exciting way to get your heart rate up while testing your agility and strategic thinking. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll give you an overview of padel and its origins.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racquet sport that is similar to tennis and squash. It is played on a smaller court with walls around the sides and back, creating a unique playing experience. The game is typically played in doubles, with players using solid paddles to hit a small, pressurized ball back and forth over the net. Padel is a fast-paced and high-energy sport that is sure to give you a great workout.

Origins of Padel

Padel originated in Mexico in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the sport gained popularity in Spain. Today, Spain is considered the hub of padel, with more than 5 million players and over 13,000 courts. Padel has also gained a following in other countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Brazil.

The Rules of Padel

The rules of padel are similar to those of tennis, but there are a few key differences. For example, the serve must be underhand and the ball must bounce on the ground before being hit. Additionally, the walls around the court are considered in play, so players can use them to their advantage. Like tennis, a point is scored when the ball goes out of bounds, hits the net and doesn’t go over, or the opposing team is unable to return the ball.

Strategy in Padel

Like any other sport, strategy is an important aspect of padel. One common strategy is to aim for the back wall to create a difficult shot for the opposing team. Another strategy is to use angles to get the ball out of reach of your opponents. Because the walls are in play, you can use them to your advantage to surprise your opponents with unexpected shots.

Conclusion

In summary, padel is a fun and exciting sport that is similar to tennis and squash. With its unique court and wall-play, padel offers a new and challenging playing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting into racquet sports, padel is definitely worth a try. We hope this beginner’s guide has given you a good overview of the sport and inspired you to give it a try. Happy playing!