Padel is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash and is known for its accessibility to players of all skill levels. In this article, we will explore in detail how to play Padel, from the basic rules to tips to improve your game. We will learn how to play Padel and offer advice on how to get started and how to improve your skills. So, get ready to dive into the world of Padel!
The Basic Rules of Padel
Before you start playing Padel, it is essential to understand the basic rules. Here are some of the most important rules:- The court : The Padel court is rectangular, divided in half by a net. It measures 20 x 10 meters, with glass and metal walls on the sides and bottom, 4 meters high on the back side and on the first part of the long side and 3 meters on the most central part of the long side.
- The service : The service is performed from behind the service line, hitting the ball after it has bounced, directing it diagonally into the opposite service area. The service must be performed by hitting the ball below the waist height of the player who is serving. Once the ball has bounced in the opposite square diagonally, it cannot hit the metal grate, otherwise it is considered the first fault. As in tennis, there are two balls for the service and in the event of a net, it is repeated without considering it as a fault. It is not allowed to return the service on the fly.
- Wall play : The ball can bounce off the walls before being returned, but in the opponent's court it must first bounce on the court otherwise it is considered a foul. It is possible to defend using your own glass (directing the ball onto the glass behind you or on the side of your court), but it must then touch the opponent's court before ending up on other walls. It is not allowed to defend using the grates on your half of the court, when a ball touches the grate before falling into the opponent's court it is always a point for the opponents.
- Point lost : A point is lost if the ball touches a wall or goes out of bounds before bouncing into the opponent's court, if it bounces twice on the ground before being returned into the opponent's court, if the serve is misserved twice, or if a player commits a fault.
How to Play Padel: Singles or Doubles?
Padel can only be played in doubles even if single padel courts of smaller dimensions have become widespread (20x6 instead of 20x10) which however are not approved by any federation and therefore cannot host official competitions. Padel 1vs1 is today considered above all a type of training. Competitions are therefore held exclusively in doubles.
What are the Padel scores?
The scores in padel are the same as those in tennis. It is developed on games and sets. The games are played with the same scores as tennis (15-30-40-game), with the difference that in some competitions (as historically in the World Padel Tour, a circuit that ended in December 2023) a two-point advantage is not necessary to win the game. In fact, on a score of 40 all, you can choose whether to play with the dry point (in English killer-point, in Spanish punto de oro) as per the rules, or with the so-called "killer-advantage" which provides that at the first 40-40 you play with the classic advantage, but in the event of a new tie you play with the dry point. In the dry point, the pair that receives decides on which side to serve. Official tournaments are always played with the "best of 3" formula, which means that the pair that wins two sets first wins the match.
In amateur tournaments, however, there are many different formulas that adapt to the times of the tournament itself, which is often played on a single day. There are timed formulas in which the match is won by the player who is ahead after a certain number of minutes (usually 20 or 30) or formulas with classic scoring but with matches of a single set. These variations, however, are not recognized by the Federations.
Techniques and Tips to Improve Your Game
Here are some tips to play Padel better:
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Positioning and Movement : Maintain good position on the pitch, covering key areas and moving quickly to reach the ball.
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Take the net: the game of padel is divided into two phases: defense and attack. The goal is not to score a point with every shot, but to try to “take the net” from where it is much easier to get the point.
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Patience: The game of padel, unlike tennis, makes - thanks to the help of the side walls - the exchanges much longer. For this reason it is essential to have a good dose of patience because it could take a lot of shots to win the point.
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Serving Technique : Work on your serving technique to improve the accuracy and power of your shots. Unlike tennis, serving is rarely a winner, but applying pressure from the serve helps you receive easier balls that will allow you to close the point later.
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Communication : In the game, communication with your partner is essential. Make plans and plan your moves together and during exchanges communicate the position of the opponents at that moment.
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Ball Control : Learn to control the direction and bounce of the ball to put pressure on your opponents. If you don't have a good basic technique, it can be very helpful to perform basic exercises such as long and continuous rallies of the forehand or backhand against the glass in order to gain more control in the various shots.
How to Start Playing Padel
If you haven't tried playing Padel yet, here's how to get started:- Find a club or facility : Search for a club or sports facility that offers Padel courts and equipment rental.
- Initial Training : Take lessons from a qualified instructor to learn the basics of the game.
- Constant practice : As with any other sport, constant practice is essential to improve. Play with friends or participate in amateur tournaments to gain experience.
- Athletic Condition: To be played at a good level, padel requires excellent athletic preparation. Certainly, beginners can play it even without great physical condition, but as the level of play increases, greater athletic preparation is required as the exchanges become longer and more intense. You also need to be very careful, because any sport played without adequate physical preparation exposes you to the risk of injury.
FAQ about Padel
Here are some frequently asked questions about Padel:
Question 1: Can I play Padel alone?
Answer: No, there are no official singles competitions, but there are one-on-one courts that can be used for training or games between friends.
Question 2: What are the dimensions of a Padel court?
Answer: A Padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, divided into two 10x10 halves.
Question 3: What is the origin of Padel?
Answer: Padel originated in Mexico in the 60s and has become popular all over the world. It has spread mainly in Argentina and since the 90s in Spain. These two countries are still home to the strongest players in the world.
Interesting Statistics
According to statistics, Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with millions of players and growing in Europe, Latin America and other regions.