Padel is a serious thing! And so the first match of your life must be faced with the right intentions and with the right equipment, knowing what type of shoes to use, what racket, what balls and what type of clothes to wear. Before starting to play a match it is right to know the rules, the unwritten rules and useful advice for facing this type of sport, after all it is like the first day of school or the first day of work, YOU MUST BE PREPARED! Often you do not know the opponents you will face and therefore equipment, score and basic rules are a necessary starting point for all enthusiasts, to not be caught unprepared and not make a bad impression even if it is only the first match.
RACKET
The racket is the starting point, you cannot and must not make mistakes, this will improve our performance or on the contrary make it disastrous. When the choice is very wide it is necessary to make it in a correct and thoughtful way. As a first step it is important to recognize the three categories into which the rackets are divided: round , drop , diamond . These go in ascending order based on the power and technical skills of the player: in fact the round one is used mostly by beginners, having a good control of the shot, leaving out however the part related to the power. The diamond racket is mostly used by professional players with an advanced level of play, lovers of attack and power. The drop one is a mix of the two described previously, and with its medium-high balance it offers both precise and controlled shots, without neglecting however the power.
BALLS
Balls are a fundamental object in this sport, without which you could not play. It is useless to use more than 3 balls for each match, as it would increase the risk of having obstacles on the playing field, with consequent risks of ankle injuries. FITP itself also recommends a maximum of 4 balls per match even for international circuits where pro level players are involved. It is essential to wear shorts with pockets, so as to store the balls that are not used during the game and always have a ball in your hand, and the other in your pocket for the next service. The fun in this sport is also dictated by the length of the exchanges that are made, and therefore having deflated balls could be an unfavorable factor in this sense. We recommend evaluating the condition of the balls from time to time, buying a tube the first time and evaluating: if they are too deflated, change them, without falling into the opposite excess of buying one again for each match.
SHOES
The shoe is an important choice in the economy of a match: it must be comfortable and provide mobility, taking into account the continuous changes of direction that are made during a match. The soles must have surfaces that can adhere to the playing field and allow for correct horizontal and vertical sliding. These must have a "herringbone" or "omnia" sole with dotted reliefs, but there are also those with a mixed sole, presenting both types of relief.
SCORE
The score is the same as tennis, so whoever wins 4 points wins the game. There are advantages in the event of a tie at 40-40, and as for the service, it is first served from the right, crossing the shot; if it touches the net and goes into the court, it should be repeated. The first to reach 6 games wins the set, and in the event of 5 all, it would reach 7, unless the score reaches 6 all, in which case the winner would be declared at the tie break.
You can find the detailed rules in our blog " WHAT ARE THE RULES OF PADEL "
https://projectxpadel.com/blogs/news/quali-sono-le-regole-del-padel
GOOD MANNERS
These are those little unwritten rules that are implemented between friendly matches or against opponents who do not know each other. For example, it is good manners not to celebrate in a dramatic manner after having scored a point, or to apologize if, after a shot, the tape is touched and bounces into the opponent's court. If there is a doubtful ball, therefore contested by both sides, it is a good solution to go and repeat the point. Last but not least, at the end of the match, whatever the result, the players will meet in the middle of the court to shake hands.
