Do you finally want to play padel? We have the most important tips and tricks to help you cut a really good figure on the court right from the start.
Most people discover padel through friends and often the first 10 minutes are enough to make them fall head over heels in love with the tennis-squash hybrid. But this doesn’t just have its advantages, because it’s not uncommon to lack the basic knowledge required to play the game correctly and without mistakes. And that’s exactly why we’re here: here you’ll find everything you need to know before you thunder your first balls over the net!
The walls
The walls and boards are often the strangest part of the court for beginners – and that’s completely normal. It takes a while to get used to the fact that the ball can bounce over the walls and suddenly change direction. Whether it’s tennis, squash or padel, the technique and the bounce of the ball are simply very different and have to be learned first.
More skill than strength
Playing the ball over the net as often as possible, the unique sound when you hit it, the quick rebounds, the opponents who give their all together with you on the court — all these are the appealing things about this popular ball sport. But what many people don’t realize is that padel is not about power or strength. In fact, excessive force often causes problems and is counterproductive. The right timing when smashing, for example, is much more important. Of course, there are also strokes that require maximum force, but this is rarely the case. In the beginning, it’s all about getting a feel for the ball and controlling it. Only then should you concentrate on the quality and hardness of your shots.
Playing in a team
Padel is the perfect sport for anyone who enjoys being in company. Why? Because it is played in doubles. This means you always have a partner next to you who you can blame for your mistakes 😉
A good tip is to look for a doubles partner who is roughly at the same level as you, as this will allow you to work together better both tactically and in terms of play. On the court, you should play your moves together as best you can and cover the spaces at the net well – without colliding, of course, because having fun should always come first!
Practicing your serve
Take time to practice your serve technique thoroughly. Padel is a sport that is relatively easy to learn, but this also means that players often get used to it too quickly and don’t think it’s important to internalize the basics. To improve your serve, you need to practise it over and over again. The most important thing? Precision. The trick is to throw the ball shoulder high and make sure it’s in front of your left foot. Then you should hit the ball at hip height. Then it’s all about bouncing the ball as high as possible, as this makes it all the more difficult for your opponents to launch a counter-attack. After the serve, you run forward towards the net to get into a good attacking position.
Playing on both sides
Now that we’ve told you the most important things about gameplay and technique, you should switch sides. This means playing on both the right and left side. This way you’ll better understand what to do in the different positions. It will also turn you into a more versatile player and you will automatically become a better teammate.
Warming up is a must
We’ve all been there: sometimes you’re just too lazy to warm up. But remember, a targeted warm-up before a padel match can make the difference between winning and losing, as well as whether you get injured or not. You should therefore definitely use these 5 or 10 minutes before the match to warm up your muscles and joints and get your body up to temperature.
The right racket
Most experts agree that the right racket can be the key to success. So take your time when making your choice and make sure you adapt your racket to your level and style of play.
