If you've been following the women's game, why is there a need for a tennis version played with paddles instead of rackets? It all comes down to how the ball is hit and travels through the air. The rules on how to play padel are very similar to those in tennis, but there are some differences. Here are the essential things you need to know on how to play padel:
What You Need to Know About Playing Padel
Padel is as exciting as any tennis game, where players show their skills in playing the sport. In the 1910s, a game similar to padel was played in New York and Washington and on British cruise ships, known as platform tennis. It was in 1969 when padel was created, and it became more popular through the years.
1. Padel Equipment
Padel equipment is similar to that of tennis, with a few exceptions. The racquet is smaller than a tennis racquet and has fewer strings (ten in total), while the ball is also smaller at 50 cm in diameter compared to 85 cm for a conventional tennis ball. Players may use a padel or handball ball to play padel, but those who prefer playing with their feet prefer the more petite padel balls because they are easier to handle when hitting them down onto an opponent's court.
Different shoe styles are available depending on their purpose: some have raised heels while others do not. Some have rubber soles while others do not; etcetera!
Padel tennis shoes are similar to tennis shoes but with a raised heel. The raised heel allows players to stand more comfortably while they play padel and enables them to move around the court more efficiently.
The game of padel tennis is played in two teams of three players each. One player from each team starts the play by serving the ball over the net, which one of their teammates then hits back across to the other team's side.
2. Padel Court
A padel court is a rectangular court with a net at each end. The total length of the court is 44 feet (13.4 m), and its width is 20 feet (6.1 m). It has a clay surface, which helps the ball bounce higher and faster than if it were on asphalt or concrete.
The padel court is surrounded by a low wall with a net in front of it. There will be two players on both sides of the padel court, and they will use a perforated ball instead of a solid one. The rules are similar to tennis rules, but there are some critical differences in how to play padel.
Players must hit the ball before it bounces twice, and the players can't hit it over the net. A player can hit the ball with both hands at once or with one hand after hitting it with the other hand. There are also some differences in terms of scoring and serving.
Padel is a popular sport in Spain, Argentina, and other Latin American countries. People also play padel in some parts of Europe, including Italy and Portugal.
3. Padel Ball
You must use the appropriate size and weight of the ball to play padel. Padel balls are smaller and lighter than tennis balls, so they may need to be more durable.
The most common padel ball is made of rubber and has a diameter of 28–30 cm (11–12 inches). It weighs approximately 200 grams (7 ounces). The size can vary slightly depending on what type of padel you're playing with—most professionals use a 29 cm (11 inches) diameter ball for their courts. Still, some elite players prefer a larger one at 32 cm (13 inches), which has been known to shatter when hit too hard or fast. Keep practicing until your skills improve so that these accidents won't happen again when you play padel.
The weight of padel balls varies by manufacturer and model. Still, they are usually heavier than tennis balls because padel balls are made of rubber instead of plastic, making them more durable and able to withstand high speeds. While this is great for the game, it can make it difficult for beginners who are familiar with playing with heavier balls.
4. Padel Gameplay
Padel is a game of two players on each side of the net, with a padel ball. This game aims to score points by hitting your opponent's padel ball past them.
The court comprises six lines:
- Two lines in front and back (the sidelines), which run parallel with each other.
- Two horizontal lines cross diagonally at right angles along their length.
- One vertical line runs down from above (the ceiling).
The court is 7.5 meters long by 2.5 meters wide and has a height of 3 meters from the floor to the ceiling. Players can hit the ball with any part of their body except their hands, but you cannot use anything else to hit it (like shoes).
If you want to play padel, keep in mind that players can use any part of their body to hit the ball except their hands. Players must hit the ball in a way that causes it to bounce once on their side and then pass over or around their opponent's padel ball (located directly across from you).
If a player hits the ball in such a way that it bounces twice before passing over or around his opponent's padel ball, he will receive a warning. If he continues to do this, he will be penalized by having one point removed from his score. The winner of the game is determined by whoever scores the most points within a set time limit (usually two hours).
5. Padel Scoring
Padel scoring is simple: you score one point every time your ball bounces over the net or if it touches your opponent's side of the court.
You will lose a point if you hit the ball out of bounds, which happens when it crosses mid-court.
Once you have scored a point, you retain possession of the ball and must hit it over to your opponent. They will try to make contact with their racket as far away from them as possible without touching another player's equipment or going out-of-bounds.
When you play padel, a point is scored when you make contact with a teammate's racket while serving. One point for each hit on their side of the court and one bonus point if they hit yours back across theirs. The first padel player to reach eleven points wins the game, but you can also play a best-of-three or five series.
6. Padel Rules
The basic rules to play padel are simple. It would be best if you served the ball with your hand, which you can do by hitting it with a racket or using your foot. The server then has two minutes to hit the ball as far away from them as possible without touching another player's equipment or going out-of-bounds.
A point is scored when you make contact with a teammate's racket while serving: one point for each hit on their side of the court and one bonus point if they hit yours back across theirs. You also gain points if your opponent makes contact with their equipment during this period; however, if they miss entirely, then they will not receive any points because there needed to be more time left to do so.
The game continues until one team reaches 11 points. If you're playing for fun and don't want to keep score, then play until the end of time. However, to play padel competitively with your friends, it is best to establish some ground rules before starting.
If you want to play padel with a group of friends, it is best to determine how many points each team needs to win before the game starts. For example: if your partner hits the ball back twice, then they get one point; if they hit it across their side of the court, then they get two points; and so on.
7. Padel Betting
If you know how to play padel, padel betting is another way to enjoy the sport. It is a great way to make money, but it's also one of the most complicated sports to bet on.
If you're new to padel betting and need help determining where or how to begin, this guide has all the information you need. Here are some of our top tips:
The first padel player to score eleven points wins. The game is tied if both players have 10 points when the time runs out. Once you have scored a point, the server will then serve again. You can only hit the ball once per point, and it's up to your opponent to return it across the court before they can score themselves.
If they take advantage of this opportunity, their turn ends and becomes your turn again. Find the right site to bet on padel. We recommend using a site like PadelBet, the best option to make money betting on this sport.
Padel: A Different Kind of Tennis
Padel is a great sport to play with your friends. It's an indoor sport where players can play it on grass courts, hardwood floors, and even concrete. Knowing how to play padel is essential to enjoy a fun game with your friends and family!
