Is It Difficult to Play Padel? A Reality Check

Why Everyone is Falling in Love with Padel

Padel’s explosion in popularity isn’t an accident. It’s by design. The game is engineered for fun.

It has also gained a surge of popularity in recent years in India. Some of the primary reasons behind its popularity are its simplicity, pace, instant fun, and its ability to build social connections.

Padel offers excellent physical exercise, as it requires intense physical activity. It helps in maintaining cardiovascular health, building stamina, and preventing potential health risks.

But the real magic? It’s a social powerhouse. Playing in pairs means you’re in it together, sharing laughs and moments of brilliance. It’s a brilliant way to connect with friends or meet new people. Such games aid in the release of the happy hormones such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, thereby stimulating a good mood.

Gear Up Without Breaking the Bank

Forget the social media hype. You don’t need a high-end racket and designer kit to start.

In reality, you just need a simple racket to start. Your first racket should be simple: focus on finding one that’s lightweight and has a soft feel (usually one with a foam core) so it’s forgiving on your arm and helps get the ball back in play. The balls look like tennis balls but are a tad smaller and have less pressure, making them easier to control.

For clothing, think comfort and movement. Padel requires instant left-to-right movement and quick direction changes. Therefore, shoes with a good ankle support and grippy sole are non – non-negotiable. The same goes for the apparel. Choose moisture-wicking materials that are comfortable and breathable. Remember, you are not participating in a fashion show. It’s about feeling good so you can play well.

Padel Court & Rules in 60 seconds

• The Arena: A padel court is a 10 m x 20 m rectangular block enclosed by glass and mesh walls. The court is divided by a 10m net right in the center.
• Net Height: The net height of the court is 88cm at the center and 92cm at the posts.
• Scoring: Don’t overthink it. Padel follows a similar tennis system of scoring: 15, 30, 40, game. To win a padel game, one team must reach at least four points and have a lead of at least two points over the opponent.
• The Serve: This is a key difference. It must be underhand, and the ball must bounce in the diagonal service box.
• The Magic Rule: Remember, the walls are your friends. After the ball bounces on the ground, you can and should play it off the glass. This is where the fun begins.

Find Your Starting Point

Understanding your sports background shapes your starting line and can give you a clear understanding of challenges, advantages, and specific focus areas. But we all end up on the same court.

A Complete Newcomer

Welcome! For a beginner, your advantage is a blank slate. You will have no bad habits to unlearn. You need a few games to get used to padel. Focus on getting a feel for the ball off the walls and mastering that underhand serve. The learning curve is short and incredibly rewarding.

The Tennis Player

Tennis players get a lot of advantages, such as existing skills of footwork, hitting, and game strategy. However, one challenge is to learn the underarm serve and learn to use the walls strategically.

The Squash or Pickleball Player

Having played games like squash or pickleball gives an upper hand in learning padel. Players can leverage skills like hand-eye coordination, court awareness, and strategic thinking, needing to adapt to unique dynamics of padel such as wall play and underarm serving.

New Player Hurdles  (And How to Clear Them)

New padel players often encounter several issues, including equipment problems, improper gear, poor techniques, positioning challenges, and communication breakdowns. Some players also report mental fatigue and discouragement while playing padel. However, to every problem there is a solution. Let’s scan through them.

Improper Technique & Common Injuries: New players are often unaware of the correct techniques, movements, and strategies, which result in injuries. Research shows elbow injuries are most common (28.5%), followed by shoulder (15.4%) and knee (13.4%). The most effective way to prevent such injuries can be through a warm-up, seeking guidance, and using proper padel equipment.

Positioning Pitfalls: This usually occurs when the player is too close or too far from the net, resulting in a lack of control. Regular practice and focusing on court dynamics can help overcome these issues.

Communication Breakdowns: Padel is a doubles game, and a lack of understanding between partners can lead to misunderstandings, negatively impacting the game. The solution to this problem is to streamline information exchange. Talk constantly. Simple calls like “Mine!”, “Yours!”, or “Leave it!” are the glue of a successful partnership. It’s a dialogue.

Mental Fatigue: A player can end up feeling demotivated due to lack of rest, demanding schedule, and performance pressure.

How to Get Good, Fast

Want to accelerate your game? There is a set of drills that helps you improve quickly.

Beginner Foundation: Don’t even play points at first – just rally. Practice your underhand serve until you master it. Hit the ball against the glass to understand the angles.

Intermediate Development: Focus on your lob (your primary defensive shot) and your smash (your primary finishing shot).

Advanced: This is all about tactical drilling. These drills usually involve placing the ball to move your opponents, using the walls to create impossible angles, and developing a killer plan for attacking opportunities.

The Verdict: So, Is Padel Difficult?

No. Padel is not difficult to start. It is difficult to master – but that’s what keeps you coming back. You can experience the joy of a long, thrilling rally on your very first day.

This instant feeling of joy is real.

At our FindYourFit events, we see over 80% of newcomers feeling confident and hooked within their first month.

For Consistent Recreational Play: To become a consistent recreational player, expect a journey of 6-12 months of casual play. It is very common to find partners for padel games, as it welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds.

For Competitive Intermediate Level: Players wanting to play padel at the competitive intermediate level may require a structured practice for about 2-3 years. However, it can vary for individuals.

For Advanced Play: It requires athleticism, strategic thinking, and coaching under an expert and certified trainer. Advanced players must master strategies and tactics through intensive training to reach this level.