Padel - A Complete Beginner’s Guide
What Is Padel? A Complete Beginner’s Guide.
Padel is taking the UK by storm currently and is currently the fastest growing sport in the world, for good reason. It is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls, which are part of the game. Padel is great for being social, easy to learn, and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Because rallies last longer and serves are underhand, beginners can enjoy competitive play very quickly.
How to Play Padel
Padel is nearly always played in doubles. The ball is put into play with an underhand serve that must bounce behind the service line and be hit below waist height. Players rally by hitting the ball over the net into the opponent’s court, allowing it to bounce once on the ground. After the bounce, the ball may also rebound off the glass walls, adding tactical variety and longer exchanges. Points are scored using the same system as tennis.
Where to Play Padel
Padel courts are popping up in and around cardiff at a rapid rate. Locations you can play padel in South Wales and Cardiff are:
- House of Sport Cardiff
- Smash Padel Llandaff
- Cwmbran Welsh Padel Centre
- Hereford racket centre
- Porthcawl the Kenfig Club
- St Mellons Country Club
- Padium Cardiff Bay
The Basic Rules of Padel
The serve must be underhand and diagonal, landing in the opponent’s service box. The ball must bounce once on the ground before hitting any wall. Players may use the walls on their own side after the ball has bounced. A point is lost if the ball bounces twice, is hit directly into the opponent’s wall, or goes out of the court without touching the ground. Matches are typically played as best of three sets.
Padel Court Layout Explained
A padel court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide, making it smaller than a tennis court. The net divides the court in half, with service boxes on each side similar to tennis. The back walls are usually made of glass, while the side walls combine glass and metal mesh. These walls are fully integrated into play and create unique angles and rebounds that define padel’s style.
Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls
Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but are slightly smaller and have lower internal pressure. This results in less bounce and slower speed, making rallies more controllable and beginner-friendly. Using tennis balls in padel is not recommended, as they change the game’s pace and can stress the walls and rackets.
Beginner Padel Rackets to Consider
New players should look for control-focused rackets that are lightweight and forgiving. Popular beginner options include the Bullpadel Indiga Control, Adidas Drive series, Head Evo Sanyo, and Babolat Contact. These rackets offer large sweet spots and soft materials to reduce vibration and improve comfort.
Differences Between Padel Racket Shapes
Padel rackets come in three main shapes. Round rackets offer maximum control and a large sweet spot, ideal for beginners. Teardrop-shaped rackets balance control and power, suitable for intermediate players. Diamond-shaped rackets generate the most power but have smaller sweet spots and are best for advanced players.
Summary
- Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court using walls
- It is easy to learn and emphasizes long rallies and teamwork
- Serves are underhand and scoring follows tennis rules
- The court is like tennis but with glass and mesh walls
- Padel balls have lower pressure and bounce than tennis balls
- Beginner rackets focus on control, comfort, and large sweet spots
- Racket shapes include round (control), teardrop (balanced), and diamond (power)