When our lovely editor Lucy asked me to write about the gaining worldwide popularity of the sport padel, I admit that I was a little apprehensive due to my past failures with anything involving a racquet or a bat. I will admit that I have never scored a rounder in the hundreds of games we played during my school years.
However, whether you’re a seasoned tennis/squash player or – like me – can’t connect a racquet with a ball to save your life, padel might be right up your street!
This is a fun sport that combines elements from tennis and squash; padel is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, not only because it’s an enjoyable way to keep fit (whatever your age or ability). Padel is played on a small court surrounded by walls. It’s usually played as a doubles sport. The game uses a solid racquet called a paddle and a special ball – like a tennis ball, but with less pressure. Players hit the ball back and forth, trying to score points by making it bounce in the opponents’ area without them returning it.

How to Play

Like tennis, the main goal is to hit the ball over the net to your opponents’ side. You score points when your opponents can’t return the ball before it bounces twice.
Padel is played in teams of two, and each team takes turns serving.
The serve must go diagonally to the opposite side of the court. The scoring works in the same way as tennis (love). First, you stand in your designated position, ready to hit the ball. When it’s your turn to serve, you must bounce the ball once on your side and hit it over the net into the correct area.

During a game the ball can be played off certain areas of the surrounds. Communication with your partner by shouting “Mine” or “You” adds to the fun and makes it much easier to know who will get the ball. It’s easy to pick up the rules (see the websites under More info).

The benefits

Improved coordination, cardio fitness, strength and agility. It’s social, fun and rapidly becoming more accessible.
Because padel is easier to learn than squash or tennis, it makes it much more inclusive. I have dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder). Although I have worked hard to improve my coordination, trying to play tennis and squash has been something that has eluded me. For us uncoordinated souls, padel is a revelation. I only wish I had known of the sport earlier and would have saved many years of frustration and disappointment. The moment I whacked the ball, and it bounced off the wall, all of the humiliation I had accumulated over the years with my clumsiness and lack of coordination melted like ice cream on a sweltering hot day.
For young, old, unfit and uncoordinated, if you get an opportunity to have a go, do it; you won’t regret it!

Sarah Maxwell is a multi-award winning Lifestyle Wellbeing and Fitness coach. You can find her at sarahmaxwell.com
Get in touch via email at sarahmaxwell@mail.com
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More info

Padel UK thepadelclub.co.uk /
ukpadel.org

Dyspraxia (DCD)
exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/what-is-dyspraxia /
nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia-in-adults