Whether you’re hitting the gym on a weekly basis, have been playing football for almost all of your life or you sporadically hit a ball in a game of tennis, we all get bored of our sports from time to time. So why not try out a new sport? Not only is it healthy to change the way you move every once in a while, but it can also boost your motivation. Going to the gym 4 times a week is fun for the first few months, but it can become a bit monotonous after a while. Whether you’re looking for a new sport to practice on a weekly basis or just to change things up every few months, padel is a relatively new sport that is becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
What is padel?
Padel, or padel tennis as some people call it, is a racket sport that is a crossover between tennis and squash. If you know how to handle a racket sport but have never tried padel before, this is the perfect chance. Whereas tennis and squash are usually individual sports where you play against one another player, padel is a sport that is played in teams of two. Two doubles teams play against each other in a padel court, and hit a ball back and forth. The scoring system is exactly the same as tennis, counting from 15, 30, 40 and then game point. However, the way in which you can actually get those points are a bit different. You get points for playing shots off walls (similar to squash), for example. Or even by volleying the ball during a rally. You can also lose points if it is determined as ‘out’ or if you miss the third attempt to hit into an opponent’s box.
Where can I play padel near me?
If you’re willing to give padel a try, it’s time to start scouting for a great location near you. As padel is relatively new to the UK, you may not be able to find a padel court in every single small village. But we assure you there will be one within driving range from where you are based. From London-based padel clubs to courts based in the South or Scotland. Consult a list of all the padel courts in the UK to see where the closest club is based.
Padel rackets and attire
For your first time playing padel, it’s probably fine to wear sports clothing and your regular sports shoes. However, when you start picking up on padel more seriously and you can be found on the padel court multiple times a month, it’s worth investing in professional padel clothing. Especially shoes designed specifically for the padel court can help to improve your performance.
When it comes to rackets, it’s highly likely that your local club will have a collection of padel rackets that you can use as a beginner. However, if you’re more serious about it, you may like to purchase your own racket.