Paddle is an increasingly popular racket sport. It is a combination of tennis and squash - the rules are similar, but the racket used for the game and the way points are scored are fundamentally different. Learn about the rules of paddle and how paddle equipment differs from classic tennis and squash rackets.
What is a pallet?
Padel is a sport that combines elements of tennis, squash and football. This game can be played by all ages, both amateurly and competitively, making it not only a great pastime, but also a great way to spend time with family or friends. The history of the game of padel dates back to the 1960s in Mexico, and the name comes from the word paddle, which means paddleboard. Over time, the game became popular in South American countries. In Europe, this new sport was first played in Spain and Portugal.
Padel is a game for 4 players. To play, you need a dedicated racket. Tennis or squash equipment will not fit in padel due to the nature of the game. Although the ball can bounce off the walls of the court when playing padel, the rackets are designed for larger balls than when playing squash. The game is played on a special 10×20 m court indoors or outdoors. The court is fenced up to 4 meters high. It differs from a tennis court in that it has side and back walls, making it more similar to a squash court.
What does the pallet equipment look like?
Rackets are usually made of carbon or fiberglass. Their standard length is 45 cm. Unlike tennis rackets, paddle rackets are lighter – weighing just over 300 grams. Their design makes it difficult to hit the ball with the same force as when playing tennis. You might think that this makes a paddle match less exciting, but this is not true.
Racket to paddle The racket always comes with a loop that you need to put on your wrist before starting the game. This reduces the risk that the racket may slip during a jump and, for example, hit an opponent.
The paddle ball, although similar in appearance to a tennis ball, is constructed differently, making it fly slower. Many people, including novice players, believe that paddle can be played with a regular tennis ball, but the difference in pressure is significant. This is due to the special design of the racket and paddle balls, even novice players can enjoy an interesting and exciting match.
Clothing and shoes for the position
Padel is played on an artificial surface, which is sprinkled with quartz sand for greater slipperiness. It is advisable to wear comfortable clothing for the first game. sports shoes, if they are not football boots. If after a few training sessions you decide that this racket sport is right for you, it is worth deciding to purchase special padel shoes. Their sole has a so-called herringbone pattern, which not only ensures maximum grip with the ground, but also proper sliding.
Padel clothing It should be functional, comfortable and breathable to ensure proper comfort on the court. Depending on the weather conditions and whether you are playing outdoors or indoors, you will only need shorts / sports skirt / dress (for women) and a short-sleeved shirt / shirt with a jacket or long pants / pants and a long-sleeved shirt or sweater. A very important piece of clothing when playing padel is protective glasses that protect your eyes from accidental ball hits.
When choosing paddleboarding clothing and footwear, choose reliable manufacturers and quality products made of maximum comfortable materials and based on modern technologies that will improve the quality of the game at every level. On the Servuok.lt website we have collected famous brands such as: Babolat, HEAD, Wilson, HYDROGEN, Joma, Lacoste, Mizuno, VICTOR, Wilson or YONEX.
Rules of the plot
It is played on a special 10×20 meter court, indoors or outdoors. The court is fenced to a height of 4 meters. It differs from a tennis court in that it has side and back walls, making it more similar to a squash court.
When serving with a paddle, the serve is always done from below. The ball, after bouncing behind the service line, is bounced onto the court and then hit with the racket. The racket must not be raised higher than the waist line.
In each game, the first serve starts from the right side of the court, and subsequent serves alternate from one side of the court. It is important that the ball is hit during the serve, but it cannot bounce after hitting the court floor - in this case, the opposing team scores a point.
Collecting points in the game
The team that wins the rally wins the first point. Each match is played until 2 or 3 sets are won. A set is played until one side scores 6 points. If the score is tied at 5:5, the team that gains a 2-point lead in the remaining time wins the set.
Points are scored when the opponents bounce the ball off the court or hit the ball outside the opponent's court. The service is changed after every 2 points scored by the server. If the service is performed incorrectly, the playing team loses a point, and the right to play is gained by the opponents. As you can see, most of the rules are taken from the game of tennis. The main thing that changes in paddle tennis is the way points are counted. Interestingly, the rules listed are only basic guidelines, they may differ in detail depending on the tournament or local paddle rules.