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Padel is a racquet sport that is similar to tennis, but with a few key differences that make it unique.
It might feel like new racquet sports are popping up every minute, but padel is far from a newcomer. Originating in 1969 in Mexico, it has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports globally, combining all the best elements of tennis, squash, and racquetball in a fast-paced, easy-to-learn and social game that's fun for all ages and fitness levels.
But what exactly is it, how do you play, and what do you need to get started? Let's dive in and break it all down.
So, What Is Padel?
Padel is a racquet sport that is similar to tennis, but with a few key differences that make it unique. It's played with a solid, perforated racket and a rubber, felt covered ball – not a tennis racquet, and is typically played in doubles (2 vs 2) on an enclosed court, with walls surrounding the playing area.
The ball bounces on the ground like tennis but can also rebound off the walls like squash, adding in an extra layer of strategy.
What Equipment Do You Need to Play Padel?
The good thing about padel, is you don't need much to get started. A racket, ball, partner and a court and you're set to go. Here's the list of essential gear:
1. Padel Racket
Unlike tennis racquets, padel rackets are solid and perforated with holes to reduce air resistance. The core is made from EVA foam in different design and density and with the face made of carbon fibre, fibreglass or a combination of both. Padel rackets are smaller than tennis rackets, with an average length of 17.91” (vs 27” for tennis).
2. Padel Ball
The ball used in padel may look like a tennis ball, but in fact it's slightly smaller and with less bounce. It's a good idea to use the proper padel ball because other types of balls may not bounce in the right way.
3. Clothing and Footwear
If you're playing a social game then typically you can wear whatever feels comfortable. When it comes to shoes though, you'll need a pair suitable for court sports. Many padel courts are made of artificial grass or turf, so look for shoes that provide good grip and support. Tennis or indoor sports and turf shoes are great choices.
ShopHow to Play Padel: The Basic Rules
Padel is typically played in doubles, so you'll need to partner up. Here's a quick breakdown of padel rules:
1. The Court
A padel court is like a tennis court, but with a twist – it's smaller and more dynamic. Measuring 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, it's compact. The court is typically enclosed by glass walls (or sometimes concrete) along with some metal netting, which play a huge role in the game – you can bounce the ball off them, much like in squash.
In the centre, you'll find a net dividing the court in two, and a service area marked by a line just 3 metres from the back wall. This setup keeps the game fast and full of surprises – you'll need to bring your A-game and stay on your toes, always guessing where the next bounce will take you.
There are two types of surfaces commonly found in padel courts:
- Artificial Grass: This is the most popular surface, which mimics natural grass while providing better durability.
- Wooden or Synthetic Flooring: Often used for indoor courts, these surfaces allow for faster ball movement.
2. Scoring
The scoring system in padel is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, and game point. You play sets, and typically, matches are best of 3 sets. If the score is tied at 6-6, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner.
3. Serving and Ball Play
The serve in padel might be the biggest difference to tennis being that the serve in padel is underarm and must be made below the waist.
The server has two attempts to get the ball into the opposite side of the court, diagonally across. The ball must bounce once on the server's side before crossing over to the opponent's side. After the ball bounces, it can hit the walls but must land within the designated area.
Being able to use the back and side walls means there can be longer rallies than in a conventional game of tennis, where points are won more by strategy than power or strength. The key is to keep the ball in play and anticipate where it will bounce, including off the walls.
In padel, for the ball to be considered good it must touch the ground before hitting the walls or fences; the ball cannot hit the walls/fence on the full.
5. Fouls and Let
If the ball doesn't land in the proper court area or the ball is hit out of bounds, it's a fault. If the ball hits the net or a player interferes with the ball, it's also considered a fault. A let (replay of the point) can occur if the serve hits the net but still lands in the correct service box.
How Padel Differs from Other Racquet Sports
While padel shares similarities with other racquet sports like tennis, pickleball, and squash, it has unique features that set it apart:
Padel vs. Tennis
- Court Size: A padel court is smaller than a traditional tennis court, measuring 20 x 10 metres vs. 23.77 x 8.23 metres for (singles) tennis.
- Walls: The most significant difference is the walls. In padel, you can use the walls to play the ball, similar to squash. This makes for more rallies and a faster-paced game.
- Racquet: Padel rackets are solid with holes, unlike the stringed racquets used in tennis.
- Serve: In padel, the serve is underhand, which is different from tennis' overhand serve.
Padel vs. Pickleball
- Court Size: Padel courts are about twice the size of a pickleball court, making for a larger playing area and more running.
- Walls: Unlike pickleball, where the walls are not used, padel players rely on the walls for strategy and ball placement.
- Racquet: Padel uses a perforated solid racquet, whereas pickleball uses a solid paddle with no strings.
Padel vs. Squash
- Court Size: A padel court is much larger than a squash court, which is enclosed but smaller.
- Walls: Both sports allow the ball to bounce off the walls, but squash is generally played with more emphasis on the front walls, whereas padel uses all the surrounding walls as part of the game strategy.
- Racquet: Squash uses a traditional racquet with strings, while padel uses a solid racquet with holes.
With its simple rules, social atmosphere, and low-impact nature, it's no wonder padel is becoming a favourite worldwide. So, grab a racquet, find a court, and get ready to play.
Have you tried padel yet?
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