Padel, a sport to discover with the whole family

Padel is one of the world's leading racquet sports. Increasingly in vogue these days, it allows young and old alike to enjoy family fun in a convivial atmosphere. A group activity par excellence, this discipline is ideal for those who need to strengthen their bonds while having fun. Let's find out more about this sport, which is currently very popular with the French.

Padel, a discipline with a remarkable history

Padel originated in Spanish-speaking countries. Conceived during a cruise on British ships, it was put into practice with the aim of entertaining passengers during their sea voyage. Since there wasn't enough space to erect a tennis court, travelers were forced to make do with the limited surfaces of the boats to play on. And that's where padel was born.

Padel, a unique sport

Padel is a team racket sport very similar to tennis. Sometimes described as "squash in the sun" or "tennis with walls", it is played on a 20 m x 10 m synthetic turf court, framed by fences and picture windows, with two players on each side of the net. The balls used in a match are similar to those used in tennis, but the racket has no strings and is much smaller. This discipline is becoming increasingly popular with the French, not only for its fun and family-friendly aspects, but also for its practicality and low constraints.

What makes padel a sport for the whole family?

Unlike other sports, padel is accessible to all and requires no particular physical condition. It requires no specific tactics, and the rules of play are uncomplicated. As a result, it's suitable for all members of the family, whatever their physical or technical level. Even very young children can enjoy the game, for the following reasons:

• The racket is thick, stringless and riddled with tiny cavities. It fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and is as easy to handle as a table tennis racket.
• Service is spoon-fed. This makes it easier to develop the exchange at every point.
• Thanks to the glass walls at the back and the pediments on the sides, the ball is automatically returned to the players on the pitch.
• There are no lanes to respect or lines not to cross, apart from those on serve. As a result, fouls are rare, as players are free to play as they please.
• The dimensions of the pitch are much smaller than those of a tennis court, which simplifies exchanges between players and movement during matches.
• You don't have to play hard to score points. Playing softly is also a good way to win by letting the ball crash. Perfect for children
• The point-counting system is similar to that used in tennis, making it easy to understand for everyone.

Simple rules, one of padel's main assets

The simplicity of the game's rules is one of the reasons why padel can be played by everyone, even the youngest players. A game of padel is played over two sets of six winning games. The serve is spooned in the direction of the opponents, behind the service line; then, it's a fault for the ball thrower if the ball hits the fence or wall before bouncing to the ground. As for the restart, players can do so after a rebound on the floor, on the volley, or after several counter-strokes on the wall.

Padel, a sport with many advantages

Padel is not just another sport. Rather, it's a naturally playful discipline that has both a physical and a mental impact on players. On a technical level, it stimulates every muscle in the body without tiring them. Ideal for strengthening arms and calves, it is also excellent for developing endurance in younger players and boosting stamina in older ones. It's even efficient for sharpening limb speed and optimizing coordination of body movements for children.

On a relational level, it is particularly effective in developing team spirit. As the game is played in a small area, exchanges are facilitated by the physical proximity of the participants. And it's precisely this sharing principle that makes padel a real source of mutual attachment for the family.