When asking what is padel, many people imagine a tennis game, right? But when I played padel for the first time, I was surprised by how the game unfolds and the fun on the court. For beginners or those curious about the game, I’ll share some secrets and fundamentals that make padel so special. After all, after your first game, you’ll experience the unique and engaging dynamics of padel.
Padel vs Pickleball: The Difference that Makes the Experience
One of the first questions that came to my mind was: padel vs pickleball, what’s the difference? At first, it seemed like they were very similar, as they are played with rackets and balls. But I soon realized that they would be very different experiences on the court. While pickleball is played on smaller courts, padel sport is played on courts surrounded by glass walls. Additionally, the walls cause the ball to bounce back into play, bringing a completely new strategic dimension.
Padel tennis offered me a feeling of continuous play. No matter how hard you hit the ball, the game always offers you new opportunities. In particular, the biggest difference I experienced was the feeling of control and surprise that padel provides with the help of the walls. A difference that makes the game more dynamic and engaging.
What is Padel: The Fundamentals for Beginners
When I started, I was surprised how simple the game is at first, but challenging as you improve your skills. So what is padel tennis? It would be more than just a mix of tennis and squash, being balance, positioning and a field of possibilities. The fact that the walls are surrounded by glass allows for a game with many strategies. In the first game, I realized that instead of running after the ball, you have to think about the direction of the ball. The strategy is to understand the speed and how the ball will behave when it hits the walls of the court.
Imagine you’re on the court, racket in hand, ready for your first padel match. For the serve, start by bouncing the ball on the ground. Then hit it with the racket to send it diagonally to the opponent’s service box, maintaining control and adjusting the strength of the shot. Use the walls to create unpredictable shots and confuse your opponent. The ball seems to challenge you with every movement, and you feel a little lost. But remember that consistency is more important than power at first. Because padel is a sport to be enjoyed, don’t worry about winning or losing, just have fun.
Choose clothes that allow for good mobility, as the matches are very active. Also, always have something to hydrate yourself during the match. To develop my skills more quickly, I sought a qualified teacher. So, with my practice and dedication, I was able to master the fundamentals and have fun on the courts.
The Suitable Equipment for Padel Beginners: What I Learned Along the Way
I started out using a heavier racket at first, which made my movements difficult. Over time, I realized that choosing the right equipment for beginners is essential to progress in padel sport. After a few games, I opted for a lighter padel racket made of materials like carbon fiber. In fact, not only did the lightness provide more agility, but the structure of the racket contributed to more control over the ball.
The feeling of hitting the padel ball is different from the tennis ball. Because its lightness and pressure make the game flow more smoothly, a relief for beginners like me. Therefore, it helps to get used to the mechanics of the game. When you start to feel the ball and the racket working together, the game starts to flow naturally.
Now that you know what is padel and the first steps to get started, my advice is to try this sport. Padel tennis is not just about technique, but a new opportunity to learn and evolve.
I invite you to continue exploring other sports on our Feel The Beauty Blog for more inspiration!
