Fast-paced and strategic, worldwide padel has seen a 304% increase on Google Trends over the past five years.
The latest racket sport to hit the courts, it’s the game on everyone‘s radar. But what is padel? And more importantly, how do you play it?
What is Padel?
Padel (Spanish: pádel) is a combination of two other racket-based ball sports: tennis and squash.
Originating from Mexico in the late 1960s, it is typically played in doubles on a court that looks very similar to that of tennis. The main difference? Padel is enclosed and players can hit the ball after it bounces off the wall, much like in squash.
Suitable for all ages and abilities, it offers a fun, social atmosphere that could be a refreshing addition to your workout plan, helping to mix up your exercise routine.
How to Pronounce Padel
Commonly mispronounced, padel is pronounced ‘paddle’.
How to Play Padel
Now we’ve got your interest, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty: how to play padel.
As with any sport, there are a few essential pieces of equipment and rules to grasp before you can hit the court. From the kit to the scoring system, stick with us and you could be on your way to winning your first set.
Padel Equipment
First things first, you need the right gear. And, while most padel clubs will be able to kit you out, it helps to be prepared.
The equipment you’ll need to play includes:
Padel Racket
The padel bat is solid with no strings. The frame is typically carbon fiber or fiberglass which encases an ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) core.
Much smaller than its tennis counterpart, the head is covered in tiny holes. A key design feature, this helps to reduce air resistance for more agile and powerful hitting.
Padel Ball
While they are made of the same color and material as tennis balls, the ones used in padel are slightly smaller and less pressurized.
This means they have less bounce, making for an interesting game given all the surfaces they can be hit against.
Padel Court
The court is a tennis and squash hybrid (notice a theme?). It is 10 meters wide and 20 long, divided by a net, and surrounded by 4-meter-high walls that can be made of concrete, glass or wire mesh.
To adhere to padel regulations the turf of the court will be blue, green or terracotta.
Padel Clothing
The quick gameplay of padel means it's important to dress with movement in mind, so comfortable activewear in breathable, moisture-wicking materials is key.
As there is a lot of running, jumping, and direction changes, trainers that are supportive and offer good stability are also essential.
Padel Rules
To get you started, there are some basic rules of the game you need to know:
- Who serves first is decided with a coin toss.
- To serve, bounce the ball off the ground and hit it diagonally into the service box on your opponent's side.
- When serving you must keep one foot on the court and use your underarm to hit at waist level or below.
- While the ball can hit any wall, when sending it over the net, if it does not bounce on your opponent's side of the court first, it is out.
- If the ball bounces twice on your side or hits a player, it is out.
Padel Scoring
Padel is played in sets, with each one comprising of six games. To win, your team must achieve the best of three sets.
The scoring system is very similar to tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. With a tie also referred to as ‘deuce’.
In the case of a tiebreak, the winner is the first player to reach seven points. This is known as ‘the golden point’. Unlike the advantage scoring system used in tennis, this adds a dynamic element to the game, keeping the play quick and strategic.
New sports may come and go but we think padel is here to stay. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a racket and we’ll see you on the court!
Whatever sport you include in your routine, supporting your performance with post-exercise nutrition is vital. Ensure you are fueling your body right by discovering what to eat after a workout with our guide.
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