PLAY PADEL
PADEL IS FOR ALL, FUN AND SOCIAL
We are proud to offer floodlit padel courts at Lowther Gardens, Lytham.
All are welcome to join padel courses and social sessions, take a lesson with a qualified coach or book the courts for a match with friends – whatever your experience, age or ability level is.
What is Padel?
Padel (or padel tennis) is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. It is a racket sport that can best be described as a cross between tennis and squash. The game was invented in Mexico in 1974 and has since become very popular in Spain and Latin America. Due to its accessible fun and social aspects, padel has spread rapidly in the past 10 years and is now a part of Fylde Tennis at Lowther Gardens!
How to Play Padel?
Padel is more about strategy and cooperation between you and your partner, rather than power.
Padel is usually played in doubles. Just like tennis, padel is played on a pitch that is divided by a net, the difference being that in padel, the player also uses the walls, as in squash. Scoring is exactly the same as tennis.
Padel balls are similar to standard tennis balls but with less pressure. Rackets are smaller, solid (with no strings) and perforated.
A regular padel court is 10 x 20 m and is surrounded by glass and metal walls. On this type of court, games are always played in doubles. Padel can also be played in singles on a narrower pitch (6 x 20 m).
Padel Rules
To a large extent, the rules of padel are the same as in tennis, except that in padel, you serve by bouncing the ball on the ground and below hip height. In addition, special rules apply with regards to the walls. The serve is underhanded, with 2 attempts allowed.
A padel match is most often the best of three or five sets, with a set being the first side to win six games. In padel, you score points if:
- the ball bounces on the ground twice on the opponent’s side
- the opponent hits the ball into the net
- the opponent hits the ball outside the play area, i.e. outside of the cage or against one of your walls
- the opponent hits the ball into their own grid
- an opponent is hit by the ball.
What’s Your Playing Standard?
Level 0: I have played less than 3 times in my whole life.
Level 1: Initiation, still does not use the correct handles, prepares the blows late, keeps the ball in play, but with little technique. You need track experience. You have weaknesses in the blows, but are familiar with the basic positions for the game and can return and keep balls at low and medium speed in play, you have no continuity in the service.
Level 2: Intermediate, you are learning to discriminate where the ball is going, although sometimes it is difficult for you to occupy a good position on the court. You can sustain a short exchange of background shots, at a slow pace with other players of similar skill, still anticipate badly and arrive late to most of the balls. Start taking out with some continuity.
Level 3: High intermediate, consistent when hitting the ball with medium speed, but does not feel comfortable with all the blows and has a hard time controlling the direction, depth and power of the blows. You are starting to compete with others of your level and can play a continuous game without problem.
Level 4: Advanced, you have control of the blows, both in direction and in depth and a more aggressive network game. You start hitting with more power and use the “effects”. You play at least twice a week and are able to start points from the service. Player has competed or is competing. Controls all hits (service, drive, reverse, volley, half volley, shot, left and balloon).
Level 5+: Pro, dominates the use of power and effects, and has a fast pace with a solid set of legs. You can control the depth of your hits, and begin to vary your game plan to suit your opponents. Competes regularly.
Visit British Padel at www.britishpadel.org.uk. for more information about Padel.