What is Padel and How to Play It: A Starter’s Guide

As the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world, padel is making a splash in fitness circles. This sport originated in Mexico and became popular among Spanish-speaking countries, but today, padel is played in over 35 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and some parts of Asia. If you are wondering “What is padel?” then read on as we give you the lowdown.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is an indoor sport played in a court that is slightly smaller than a tennis court. However, the court is enclosed in glass walls and has a low net that is surrounded by a wire fence. The ball used in padel is similar to tennis, but it is smaller, and the racquets are smaller and solid, with no strings- they are built of carbon fiber, fiberglass, and rubber. The sport is played in doubles, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and make it bounce on your opponent’s side without them being able to return it.

How to Play Padel

The sport follows simple rules, making it perfect for beginners. Here are the basic steps to playing padel:

1. Serve – Like in tennis, the serve initiates the point. Before serving, the server must bounce the ball once on the ground and hit it diagonally into the opponent’s court.

2. Return – The opponent must return the ball on the first bounce. If they fail to do so, the serving team gets a point.

3. Volleys – After the initial bounce, any player can hit the ball on the fly, which is called a volley.

4. Scoring – Points are earned by hitting the ball outside the court or into the net. In padel, games are usually played to 6, and a set is won by the team who wins six games.

Benefits of Playing Padel

Now that we have answered your “what is padel” question, let’s explore some benefits of playing padel:

1. Full-Body Workout – Padel is an excellent cardiovascular workout that gets your heart pumping, but it also engages the entire body.

2. Social Activity – Padel is a doubles game, which promotes socialization, competition, and teamwork.

3. Indoor Facilities – Padel is played indoors, making it a great option for individuals who prefer indoor sports.

4. Easy to Learn – As we mentioned earlier, padel is easy to learn, even for individuals with no experience in racquet sports.

Conclusion

In conclusion, padel is an exciting and engaging racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Many people are drawn to this game for its fast-paced nature, but it is also an excellent workout routine that engages the whole body and promotes socialization. Now that you understand what is padel, it’s time to gather your friends, grab your racquets, and hit the court!