An introduction to padel

Padel is a fun and fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It’s typically played in doubles (two players on each team) and is played on a smaller, enclosed court. Here’s a simple guide on how to play padel ball:

1. The Court

• Size: The court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, smaller than a tennis court.
• Walls: There are walls at the back and sides of the court, and these walls are used during play (similar to squash).
• Net: A net divides the court in half, just like in tennis.

2. Basic Rules

• Teams: Played in doubles (two players per team).
• Serving: The game starts with a serve, which must be hit underhand. The serve must land in the opponent’s diagonal service box (like tennis). The server gets two attempts.
• Scoring: The scoring system is the same as tennis (15, 30, 40, game). You need to win 6 games to win a set, and matches are usually best of 3 sets.
• Rally: After the serve, players hit the ball back and forth over the net. The ball can bounce once on the ground, but players can also use the walls to rebound the ball to the opponent’s side.

3. Hitting the Ball

• The Paddle: Players use a solid, perforated paddle (smaller than a tennis racket) to hit the ball.
• The Ball: The ball is similar to a tennis ball, but with slightly less pressure.
• Ball Bounces: After the ball bounces once on the ground, players can use the walls to rebound the ball, but it must always land in the opponent’s side of the court.
• If the ball bounces on your side, you can hit it after the bounce, or you can hit it before it bounces (a "volley"), but it must land inside the opponent’s court.

4. Walls in Play

• Back Wall: You can use the back wall after the ball bounces to play the ball, but the ball must still land in the opponent's court. This is one of the key differences between padel and tennis.
• Side Walls: If the ball hits the side wall (after bouncing), it remains in play, and you can play it like a normal groundstroke.
• Ceiling: In some cases (depending on the rules of the specific court), the ceiling might also be considered out-of-bounds, but generally, the ball is considered "in" if it hits the walls.

5. Types of Shots

• Forehand/Backhand: Just like in tennis, players use forehand and backhand strokes to return the ball.
• Volley: Padel emphasizes quick reflexes, so players often hit volleys close to the net.
• Lob: A high shot that is used to send the ball over the opponents’ heads and into the back of the court. This is especially useful if you’re being pressured at the net.
• Smash: If your opponent lobs the ball to you, you can hit it down with a powerful smash.

6. Winning Points

• Points are won when the ball:
• Bounces twice on the opponent’s side.
• Goes out of bounds (doesn’t land inside the opponent’s court).
• The opponent fails to return the ball properly.

7. Strategy Tips

• Positioning: Players often position themselves close to the net for fast volleys, but also need to be ready to move back to defend lobs.
• Teamwork: Since it’s a doubles game, communication with your partner is key. Often, one player covers the net while the other covers the baseline.
• Use the Walls: Don’t be afraid to use the walls strategically to get the ball back in play, especially in defense.

8. Etiquette

• Padel is played with good sportsmanship, so it’s important to respect the pace of play and be considerate of your opponents.

In Summary:

• Serve underhand to the diagonal box.
• Hit the ball after it bounces once, using the walls if needed.
• Play in doubles, and use teamwork to control the net and respond to lobs.
• Use a combination of volleys, groundstrokes, and smashes to win points.
• Score like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, set, match!

Padel is a social, accessible sport with a lot of fun tactics, and once you get the hang of the rules, it’s easy to get hooked!