Love tennis and other racket sports? Then why not try padel; a racket sport of Mexican origin with the same scoring system as tennis, usually played in doubles on a smaller court. Whilst there are similarities to tennis, padel has different rules, strokes and techniques.
Padel is popular – it is the fastest growing racket sport in the world. Due to it being played on smaller courts the sport is versatile and can be played indoor and outdoor. This makes it a perfect activity option to keep fit throughout the winter. Racket sports aren’t just for summer, here in the UK we automatically think of the Wimbledon championships, sun beaming down on fresh cut grass. Yes, it is more tempting to pick up a racket and head outside when it’s a nice day, but there are many benefits to playing racket sports all year round and choosing to play on an indoor court. There is a growing list of where you can play padel in the UK, outdoor and indoor courts are available across the country.
A sport for all, due to Padel courts being enclosed and about a third of the size of a tennis court it is not a power dominant sport. Padel is a great racket sport that can be played by groups of mixed ages and abilities. Usually played in doubles, Padel is a very sociable sport, why not join a club, play with friends after work/ on the weekend or even suggest it as a family time activity.
Padel is a mix between tennis and squash – so why not combine two epic racket sports for more fun. Most players get the hang of how to play in around thirty minutes, making it accessible for many. While it is similar to tennis and squash you’ll need to pick up a padel racket to play! Just like all other racket sports there’s a huge range of brilliant gear to purchase in order to up your game. There are three main shapes of Padel racket to consider when deciding what racket will work best for you:
- Round Padel Rackets:
Best for players who like a high level of control of the ball. It is great for those who are experienced and have a longer swing allowing the player to really place their shot. This type of racket often works better for intermediate to advanced players.
2. Teardrop Padel Rackets:
A racket design for players who seek power! If you’re looking to give your smashes more drive while retaining some control this is for you. For a fast and more aggressive level of play a teardrop racket is perfect, suitable for all players.
3. Diamond Shape Padel Rackets:
This is the shape most commonly used by padel professionals. This is due to a player needing a certain level of skill to master the advantage of using this type of racket. If used correctly this racket offers both a great amount of power and control.
If you’re not ready to step onto the court just yet, why not watch some professional players, or even visit your local club to get an idea of what this sport entails. There is a full guide to all padel clubs across the U.K that you can visit. If you’re interested in visiting the top clubs – take a trip to london and visit one of the top three clubs in the U.K, where you’ll have a chance to watch and meet some great padel players.
As mentioned, Padel is a great way to stay fit and healthy over winter, but it’s also a sport that offers a great competitive element. If you’re looking for a long term racket sport to become skilled in there are many coaches that offer lessons in the U.K. Coaches can offer private, family, and group sessions. They even offer Padel courses and boots camps for those serious players.
If you’re interested in finding out more about padel you can do so here
