In recent years, the number of padel players and clubs around the world has grown exponentially, making it one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Padel is played by people of all ages, social status and physical ability levels. Not only do these characteristics make padel matches longer compared to other racket sports such as tennis and badminton, but the dynamics of the game also make it attractive to players of all levels. In this article, we will explore the nuances of this amazing sport.
Kas ir padel? Atklājiet aizraujošo rakešu sportu!
Padel is an exciting racket sport that is always played in doubles on a compact, enclosed court measuring 20×10 meters. Often described as a combination of tennis and squash, padel is a dynamic game that features a net on the court that separates the teams and walls that enclose the playing area.
The main goal of the game is to skillfully hit the ball with the racket over the net towards the opponent’s court. Padel has a unique feature – the ball can bounce off the walls, giving each shot an exciting twist and ensuring an entertaining playing experience!
Padel is not just a sport – it is a source of joy, addiction and socialization. Its inclusive nature makes it accessible to people of all ages, skill levels and physical abilities, promoting player friendliness and a sense of community. The compact size of the court and the strategic use of walls make padel particularly attractive to beginners, providing an environment that encourages learning and growth. With all four players actively involved in the game, padel offers an unparalleled level of excitement and motivation that attracts both recreational players and competitive athletes.
Kā tas sākās?
Padel was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969 by businessman Enrique Corcuera. The wealthy Mexican loved tennis, but he didn’t have enough space for a full-size tennis court, so he built a smaller 20×10 meter court.
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), Corcuer did not like the fact that the ball often flew into trees or neighboring houses. So he decided to build three-meter-high walls that enclosed the court. He and his friends found it very interesting to continue the game even after the ball hit the walls. They enjoyed the new game, which they later called “padel”, for hours.
Kā spēlēt padel?
Here are the padel rules every player should know:
The game is always played two against two (2 vs 2).
After the serve, the ball is in play and can be played by any of the players.
When you kick the ball, it must first land on the ground in your opponent’s half of the court.
If the ball is coming towards you, you must hit it to the other side before it hits the ground a second time. It can be hit from the air or after one bounce.
If the ball hits the wall after the first bounce, you can still bounce it back, but you must do so before the second bounce.
If the ball is hit directly into the wall on the opponent’s side of the court, it is a foul and the opponents score a point.
It is allowed to hit the ball against the glass wall on your own side, but it must land on the opponent’s side of the court.
Kā servēt?
The serve is made from below, below waist level.
The player kicks the ball behind the line.
The player releases the ball from his hand and hits it diagonally into the opponent’s service court.
After the first bounce in the correct service court, the ball may touch the glass and be bounced before it bounces a second time. However, if it touches the metal fence after the bounce, it is considered a fault.
You have two serve attempts. If both are wrong, you lose a point.
Your partner can be anywhere on your team’s side when you serve.
When you serve, you change serving positions (right – left – right – left). The opponents do not change positions and each serves in their own part of the game.
If the serve touches the net and is not a fault, it is replayed.
Kā uzvarēt punktu padel spēlē?
The ball bounces twice after the first bounce in the opponent’s half of the court.
The opponent hits the ball before it has gone over the net.
Your opponent hits the ball, which hits the glass, metal fence, or goes out of bounds before bouncing on your side of the court.
The ball touches the opponent’s body or clothing before or after the first bounce on the court.
An opponent or his racket touches the net or the net posts while the ball is in play.
After a correct bounce, the ball goes out of bounds over the end wall (this is called a “Por4” shot).
The opponent hits the ball twice (double hit).
The opponent hits the ball by throwing their racket at it, or jumping over the net while the point is being played.
Kā skaitīt punktus?
Padel has a similar scoring system to tennis. In a game, the server is always the same player.
First point – “15”
Second point – “30”
Third point – “40”
Fourth point – “game”
If the score is 40-40 (tie), there are two options:
Komanda, kas uzvar divus secīgus punktus, iegūst spēli. Pēc “deuce” (vienādi), nākamais uzvarētais punkts tiek saukts par “advantage” (priekšrocības punkts). Ja tas pats pāris uzvar arī nākamo punktu, viņi uzvar spēli. Ja punkts tiek zaudēts, rezultāts atkal būs “deuce”.
A “Golden Point” is played, in which the opponents choose which player will receive the serve. The winners of the point win the game.
To win a set, you must win 6 games. If the score is 5-5, you must play to 7. If the score is 6-6, you must play a round in which the first to score 7 points, with a 2-point lead at 6-6, wins the set.
To win a match, you need to win in 2 sets.
Kur spēlēt padel?
Padela laukums ir 20m x 10m, sadalīts ar tīklu un norobežots ar stikla sienām un metāla sētu. Tīklam jābūt 10 metrus garam un 0,88 metrus augstam vidū, palielinoties līdz 0,92 metriem galos. Laukuma segums parasti ir izgatavots no mākslīgās zāles, kurai dažreiz tiek pievienotas smiltis.
Laukumā ir viena durvis katrā pusē. Spēlētāji drīkst pamest laukumu izspēles laikā, lai atgūtu bumbu, ja ārpus laukuma spēle nav aizliegta.
Kādu aprīkojumu izmantot padela spēlēšanai
Padel rackets
Padel rakete sastāv no divām daļām: galvas un roktura. Sitiena virsmai ir neierobežots skaits caurumu. Tai jābūt aprīkotai ar neelastīgu auklu, kas piestiprināta pie roktura, lai spēlētājs izvairītos no negadījumiem.
Padel balls
A padel ball looks similar to a tennis ball, but has less pressure. After playing, the balls lose pressure and no longer provide the same performance as new balls.
Ball changes depend on the level of play. In international competitions, new balls are introduced after the first 7 games and then every 9.
To ensure the best performance and fun, we recommend using new balls for each match.
Padel shoes
Padel shoes are one of the most important pieces of equipment. Using special padel shoes will help you prevent injuries, play more freely, and fully enjoy the game.
The new technologies are designed to adapt to the rotations, jumps and explosive movements of the padel game, ensuring comfort, flexibility and stability on the court.
If you want to know the difference between tennis and padel shoes, check out our article.
Padel accessories
Padel bags
Padel bags are similar to tennis bags, but their dimensions are adapted to accommodate padel rackets. They usually have several compartments for shoes and small accessories. It is recommended that the compartment for the rackets is isothermal to protect them from heat.Padel overgrips
Overgrips make the racket handle more comfortable and help prevent blisters on the palms. Although tennis overgrips can also be used on a paddle, special paddle overgrips are available that are tailored to the length of the paddle racket handle to reduce material waste.Frame protectors
Padel rackets are quite fragile, so it is recommended to use frame protectors to protect them. They protect the racket from impacts against glass, fences or even your partner’s racket. The protector should be durable but lightweight so that it does not significantly affect the weight and balance of the racket.
