You’ve probably heard the buzz around Chester, seen the strange-looking rackets on social media, and wondered, “What exactly is Padel?” Simply put, it’s the most exciting and fastest-growing sport in the world, and we’re thrilled to have brought it right here to Padel Sheds.
If you’re curious, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down.
Think Tennis Meets Squash
At its core, Padel is a racket sport that combines the best elements of tennis and squash into something new, dynamic, and incredibly fun. It’s played in doubles on a court about one-third the size of a tennis court, enclosed by glass and mesh walls. And yes, you can use the walls!
The Gear: Simple and Accessible
The Racket: Unlike a tennis racket, a Padel racket has no strings. It’s a solid, perforated paddle that’s easy to handle and control.
The Ball: A Padel ball looks just like a tennis ball, but it has slightly less pressure, making the game a bit slower and easier to manage for beginners.
The Rules: Easier Than You Think! The best part about Padel is how easy it is to learn. Here are the key differences from tennis:
The Serve is Underhand: No need to practice a powerful overhead serve! In Padel, you simply drop the ball and hit it below waist height. This makes starting a rally incredibly easy from your very first game.
The Scoring is the Same as Tennis: If you know how to score a game of tennis (15-0, 30-0, 40-0, etc.), you already know how to score in Padel.
The Walls are Your Friend: Just like in squash, the ball can bounce off the glass walls after hitting the ground, adding a fun, tactical dimension to the game. It keeps rallies going longer and leads to some amazing points!
Why is Everyone So Obsessed with Padel?
There’s a reason Padel is exploding in popularity across the UK. Here’s why we think you’ll love it too:
It’s Easy to Pick Up: Honestly. Most beginners are playing fun, competitive points within their first hour on the court. The learning curve is gentle, but the skill ceiling is high.
It’s Incredibly Social: Padel is almost always played in doubles (2 vs 2), making it the perfect activity to do with friends, family, or colleagues. The court is smaller, so you’re always chatting and laughing.
It’s a Fantastic Workout (in disguise!): You’ll be running, lunging, and sweating, but you’ll be having so much fun you’ll barely notice. It’s a brilliant way to stay active without feeling like a chore.
It’s for Everyone: From kids to grandparents, Finley and his friends to your work team, Padel is a multi-generational sport that all fitness levels can enjoy together.
Ready to Try It? Get Started at Padel Sheds!
Feeling inspired? The best way to truly understand Padel is to play it. Here at Padel Sheds, we make it easy and fun to get started.
Our Free ‘Intro to Padel’ (The First Hit) sessions are the perfect, no-pressure way to learn the basics from a certified coach in a friendly group setting. We provide all the equipment – you just need to bring yourself!
