How to play Padel- Everything you need to know ( Beginner’s guide)
Padel Tennis, also known as Padel, is a racket sport that originated in Mexico in the 1960s. It was created by Enrique Corcuera, who was looking for a sport that could be played in a smaller space than traditional tennis courts. Padel quickly became popular in Mexico and soon spread to other Spanish-speaking countries.
The sport became popular in Spain in the 1970s, gaining popularity among the country’s elite. Padel courts were built in private clubs and residential complexes, and the sport became associated with the upper classes.
In the 1980s, Padel spread to other European countries, such as Italy, France, and Portugal. It also became popular in Argentina, where it developed its unique style of play.
The International Padel Federation (FIP) recognized Padel as an official sport in 1991. Since then, the sport has continued to grow in popularity worldwide, particularly in Latin America and Europe.
Padel is now played by millions of people worldwide and has become a significant sport in countries like Spain, Argentina, and Mexico. The sport has also gained international recognition, with the FIP organizing world championships and other international tournaments.
What is Padel?
Padel tennis is a racket sport played on a smaller court than traditional tennis. It is played in doubles, with two players on each team, and uses a solid paddle instead of a strung racket.
Walls enclose the court, and the balls can be played off the walls like squash. The scoring system is alike in tennis, and the first team to win six games with a two-game advantage wins the set.
Padel is a fast-paced and exciting sport that combines tennis, squash, and racquetball elements. It can be played by people of all generations and skill levels, and it is a great way to improve fitness, coordination, and teamwork.
Quick Facts
- Padel is played in pairs. A standard Padel court is designed for four players and is approximately 25%-30% smaller than a tennis court. Single courts are also available, but they are less common.
- Padel rules are similar to tennis rules, except that you serve underarm. Points are calculated like in tennis, with points, games, and sets. At 6-6, a tiebreak is used to separate teams.
- Tennis balls are giant and have more air pressure than padel balls.
- Padel Racquet: A solid racquet with no strings. The racket must have perforations.
Padel explained in 2 minutes
The Padel Court and its dimensions
A padel court is a rectangular playing area typically 20 meters long and 10 meters wide. The court is surrounded by walls on all four sides, with a height of around 3 meters. The walls are made of glass or concrete; players can use them to play shots off, similar to squash.
The court is divided into two halves by a net slightly lower than a tennis net. The net divides the court into two service boxes, one for each team. The court surface is usually made of artificial turf, and a clear space of around 3 meters outside each wall allows players to move around the court.
The dimensions of a padel court are smaller than a traditional tennis court, which makes it easier to play for beginners and also allows for more exciting and fast-paced rallies.
The enclosed nature of the court also adds a unique element to the game, as players must be able to play shots off the walls and adapt to the angles and rebounds that the walls provide.
Padel equipment
The Padel racket
The padel racket, also known as a paddle, is a significant piece of equipment used in the sport of Padel. It is a solid, perforated racket that is typically made of materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or foam.
The shape of the padel racket is similar to a teardrop, with a rounded head and a tapered handle. The size of the racket head is regulated by the International Padel Federation (FIP), and it must not exceed 45.5 cm in length and 26 cm in width.
The weight of a padel racket can vary depending on the materials used in its construction, but it typically ranges between 350 and 400 grams. The racket’s grip is usually made of materials such as rubber or leather, designed to be comfortable and provide a good grip for the player.
The padel racket is used to hit the ball during the game, and players must choose a racket suited to their playing style and skill level. Beginners may prefer a lighter racket that is easier to maneuver, while more advanced players may prefer a heavier racket that provides more power and control.
Padel equipment
Padel balls
Padel balls are specially designed for the sport of Padel and are similar in size and weight to tennis balls. Padel balls are made from rubber and have a felt covering, which gives them their distinctive yellow color.
The regulations set by the International Padel Federation (FIP) specify that the diameter of a padel ball must be between 6.35 cm and 6.77 cm, and it must weigh between 56 grams and 59.4 grams. The ball must also bounce between 135 and 145 cm when dropped from 2.54 meters.
Padel balls are designed to be durable and perform well on the court. The felt covering of the ball is designed to grip the court’s surface and allow for spin and control, while the rubber core provides the necessary bounce and speed.
It is essential to use high-quality padel balls in good condition when playing the sport, as the ball is a critical factor in the game and can affect how it is played. It is also essential to use new balls regularly, as worn or damaged balls can affect the bounce and performance of the game.
Quick rules to get started
Here are some quick rules to get started with Padel tennis:
- The game is played in doubles, with two players on each team
- The court is smaller than a traditional tennis court and is enclosed by walls on all sides.
- The game starts with a serve, which must be hit underhand and diagonally to the opposite service box.
- The ball can be played off the walls if it bounces within the court boundaries.
- The ball can only be hit after jumping, except for volleys above the waist.
- The game is scored using the same system as tennis, with sets usually played to 6 games.
- A tiebreak is played if the score is tied at 6-6.
- The team that wins the toss chooses which side of the court to start, and the teams switch sides after every game.
- The server must stand behind the baseline and within the service box when serving.
- Players can request up to two timeouts per set, which last for 1 minute each.
These are just some basic rules to get started with padel tennis, and many more nuances and tactics to the game can be learned through practice and experience.
It is crucial to familiarize oneself with specific rules or regulations that may apply to the tournament or competition.
How to win the point in Padel
In Padel, a point is won when the opposing team fails to return the ball within the court boundaries, hits the ball out of bounds, or commits a fault. Here are some ways to win a point in Padel:
- The opposing team fails to return the ball within the court boundaries: If the ball bounces twice within the court boundaries before the opposing team hits it, or if the opposing team hits the ball out of bounds, then your team wins the point.
- The opposing team hits the ball into the net or the walls: If the opposing team hits the ball into the net or the walls without bouncing on their own side first, then your team wins the point.
- The opposing team commits a fault: There are various types of defects in Padel, including stepping over the baseline when serving, hitting the ball out of bounds, or hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the court. If the opposing team commits a fault, then your team wins the point.
- Winning a rally: A rally in Padel is when the ball is played back and forth between the two teams. If your team hits a shot that the opposing team cannot return, then your team wins the point.
It is important to note that in Padel, the ball can be played off the walls, so players must be aware of the positioning of the ball and be ready to react to shots that come off the walls.
How to lose the point in Padel
In Padel, a point is lost when your team fails to return the ball within the court boundaries, hits the ball out of bounds, or commits a fault. Here are some ways to lose a point in Padel:
- The ball goes out of bounds: If the ball is hit beyond the court boundaries or touches any part of the fencing or netting surrounding the court, your team loses the point.
- The ball bounces twice on your side of the court: If it bounces twice before your team can hit it, your team loses the point.
- Your team hits the ball into the net or the walls: If your team hits the ball into the net or the walls without bouncing on the opposing team’s side first, then your team loses the point.
- Your team commits a fault: There are various types of defects in Padel, including stepping over the baseline when serving, hitting the ball out of bounds, or hitting the ball before it bounces on the opposing team’s side of the court. If your team commits a fault, then your team loses the point.
- Your team fails to return the ball: If your team can return it within the court boundaries after hitting it by the opposing team, your team will retain the point.
It is important to note that in Padel, the ball can be played off the walls, so players must be aware of the positioning of the ball and be ready to react to shots that come off the walls. Players must also be mindful of the rules and avoid committing faults or hitting the ball out of bounds.
Conclusion
Padel tennis is a fun and exciting racquet sport growing in popularity worldwide. With its unique gameplay, social atmosphere, and low-impact nature, it is an excellent sport for anyone looking to get active and have fun.
So why not give Padel tennis a try? You might just come across your new favorite sport.
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