Beginner’s Guide: Padel Explained

If you’re new to the world of racquet sports, you might not have heard of padel. But don’t worry, this beginner’s guide will have you feeling like an expert in no time.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racquet sport that originated in Mexico in the 1960s. It is similar to tennis and squash, but is played on a smaller court with a solid glass wall at the back.

How to Play

Padel is typically played in doubles, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and onto the opponent’s court, trying to make it bounce twice before they can return it.

The serve is an underhand serve, and the server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally across the court towards the opposite service box.

One of the unique elements of padel is that the walls are in play, so players can hit the ball off the walls to keep rallies going.

Equipment

The racquets used in padel are similar to tennis racquets, but smaller and lighter. Padel balls are also similar to tennis balls, but are slightly softer and have less pressure.

The court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, with a net running down the middle at a height of 88cm. The back wall is made of solid glass and is 3 metres high.

Tactics

In padel, players typically position themselves closer to the net than in tennis. This allows for quicker reaction times when the opponent hits the ball.

A popular tactic in padel is the “lob”, where players hit the ball high in the air over the opponent’s head, forcing them to retreat and potentially giving the lobber a chance to move closer to the net.

A good padel player will also use the walls to their advantage, hitting the ball off the walls to create angles and put pressure on their opponents.

Benefits of Padel

Padel is a great sport for all ages and skill levels. It is a fun and social game that provides a good workout and improves coordination and reflexes.

Because it is typically played in doubles, it is a great way to meet new people and make friends. And because the court is smaller than a tennis court, it is easier to play for longer periods of time without getting too tired.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a beginner’s guide to padel explained. Whether you’re looking for a new racquet sport to try out, or want to improve your coordination and reflexes, padel is a great option. Give it a try and see how you like it!