History of Padel
Padel, a racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash, originated in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico. Enrique Corcuera is credited as the inventor, modifying his home’s squash court to create a smaller tennis-like playing area with enclosed walls. The sport quickly gained traction in Spain and Argentina during the 1970s and 1980s, where it became a cultural phenomenon. Its popularity spread further into Europe and the Middle East in the 21st century, bolstered by its accessible rules, emphasis on doubles play, and smaller court size, which makes it less physically demanding than traditional tennis.
Today, padel is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, with federations in over 90 countries and professional tournaments gaining significant viewership.
Celebrity Involvement
Padel has attracted numerous high-profile figures, both for its social appeal and fitness benefits. Tennis legends such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have embraced the sport, with Nadal even establishing his own padel centers. Football stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zlatan Ibrahimović have been spotted playing, using it as a way to unwind and stay active. Additionally, entertainment icons like Shakira, Sting, and Elle Macpherson have taken to padel, further increasing its global visibility. The sport’s reputation as a fun, community-oriented activity has made it a favourite among celebrities and contributed to its rapid growth.
About Padel
Essential Padel Tips for Beginners and Intermediate Players. If you're just starting out in padel or looking to refine your skills, here are some key tactics to improve your game. These padel basics can help you make fewer mistakes, control the game, and play smarter on the court:
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Reduce Errors: Matches are often won by the team that makes fewer unforced errors. Focus on consistency to keep the game in your favor.
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Hold the Net for Advantage: Points are frequently won by the team controlling the net. Stay up front when possible to take control of the game.
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Aim Down the Middle: From the back, aim most of your shots down the middle. Hitting down the sides is riskier and can lead to more errors.
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Use Lobs Strategically: When playing from the back, lobs should make up about a third of your shots. This can disrupt your opponents' rhythm and give you more time to reposition.
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Use the Wall to Your Advantage: Get comfortable playing off the back wall. Letting the ball pass and bouncing it off the wall can buy you time and create better shot opportunities.
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Serve Wisely: In padel, you can serve in a traditional "tennis" style or use the i-formation. If using the i-formation, serve down the middle to make returns more challenging.
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Partner Positioning: If you have a left-handed partner, they should play on the right side, so both players can hit forehands down the middle. With two right-handed players, the stronger player typically plays on the left, handling more forehand shots.
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Choose the Right Formation: The tennis formation rotates players, distributing the workload more evenly. However, the left player often handles a higher volume of shots, which can help the team’s strategy.
Explore Our Range of Padel Rackets
With these tactics in mind, having the right equipment is key. Browse our selection of high-quality padel rackets designed for every playing level. Find your perfect padel racket today and take your game to the next level!
TUYO Video Tutorials
We have teamed up with TUYO to bring you video tutorials below of some of the basic shots played in Padel. The serve /The Backhand / The Forehand / The Smash. You can find more amazing help on their YouTube channel here
British Padel Rating System
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1.0 This player has no experience and is just starting to play
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2.0 This player is consistent at a low pace
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2.5 This player is consistent at a medium pace, however some shots can lack direction
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3.0 This player is building confidence at a medium pace and is consistent at a medium pace
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3.5 This player has control and pace. Previous racquet skills generally fall into this category
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4.0 This player has experience constructing padel points and is generally a consistent player
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4.5 This player is resourceful - Executing winners and the ability to force errors
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5.0 This player has experience competing at a tournament level
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5.5 This is a top nationally ranked player regularly competing at a high tournament level
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6.0 This is a semi-professional player with a World ranking outside the World's top 250
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6.5 This is a professional player ranked inside the World's top 250
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7.0 This is a professional player ranked inside the World's top 100
Padel Terminology
Americano - Unlike a regular padel match, an Americano is won by individual participants, not teams.
Players will change partners after every round, ensuring that everyone plays with every other person at least once.
Bajada - From the Spanish, bajadar, “to bring down”. A usually aggressive padel shot from the back of the court where the player hits the ball down low from a high contact point.
Bendeja - Perhaps the most famous shot in padel. Coming from the Spanish word for tray because the way the player holds the racket upon impact. The Bandeja is a defensive overhead hit, often with slice, to keep opponents in the back of the court.
Boast - To hit the ball off the glass to pass it to the other side.
Chancletazo - This is an aggressive, flat, finishing shot from a player very close to the net when they receive an easy ball to their forehand side.
Chiquita - The chiquita is a slow, low shot hit from the back of the court to the feet of opponents standing at the net.
Contrapared - Spanish for “against the wall”. This shot is normally used defensively when the defender has no other option.
Cuchilla - Spanish for “blade”. This is an aggressive form of a bajada shot from the back wall that applies more side spin
Dormilona - A type of offensive drop shot hit with slice when the ball has hit the receiving player’s back glass and bounced back toward the net.
Drive - This often refers to the forehand or forehand side of the court.
Efecto - Spanish for “spin”. It can refer to spin in any direction, but it is usually referring to the slice and/or side spin of viboras and bandejas.
Fridge - A controversial strategy where a team hits all the balls to a specific player on their opponent’s side so the other player gets "cold."
Gancho - Spanish for “hook”, a defensive overhead used to regain the net position, similar to the bandeja but with a higher contact point and normally hit without spin toward the side glass or fence.
Globo - Spanish for “lob”. A high shot to the back of the court, with the intent of pushing the opponent back from the net.
Kick Smash - Also referred to as a “topspin smash”. This is a smash that puts a lot of topspin on the ball with the goal of the ball bouncing so high that the opponents can not reach it.
Lob - One of the most important shots of padel.
Lobs are often hit over the heads of opponents at the net in an attempt to gain the net for one’s side.
Pala - Spanish for “shovel”, another name for a racket.
Remate - Spanish for “finish”. This usually refers to smashing.
Reves - Spanish for “reverse” or backhand, which refers to hitting the ball on one's non-dominant side.
Smash - A smash in padel is an aggressive overhead shot to finish the point, such as a top spin smash or a flat smash.
Rulo - A rulo is a soft overhead shot targeting the side fence or the side glass
Vibora - This is an aggressive overhead shot
Contact should be made at eye-level, low height, and spin are this shot's strategy, it need not be the fastest shot to be damaging.
