With pickleball rapidly growing to over 4.8 million players in the U.S. and padel expanding globally with over 25 million players, many athletes are exploring the shift between these two dynamic racket sports.
Both sports have risen to popularity due to the fact they are easy to pick up and play, with low technical entry barriers. If you look at sports like tennis, pickleball and padel don’t need the hours of lessons to play the sport. You can just pick up a racket and get playing straight away!
In this blog we look at three essential tips to help you transition smoothly from pickleball to padel.
Master the Use of Walls
Unlike pickleball, padel incorporates walls as an integral part of the game. Learning to play off the walls is crucial. As you learn padel start by practicing shots where the ball rebounds off the glass, anticipating its trajectory, and adjusting your positioning accordingly.
Learning the glass adds a new strategic element to your play, allowing for more complex rallies and defensive manoeuvres. Understanding how to use the glass is one of the most important aspects of padel and so for all new players coming from pickleball, this is a key part of the game to learn as soon as possible.
Adapt Your Serve
Unlike pickleball’s direct serves, padel serves require more slice and precision. Focus on precision and placement to control the game from the start with your padel serve and if possible aim for the serve to rebound off the opponent’s side glass to give you more time to come to net and make the serve harder to return.
A well-placed serve can set the tone for the rally, allowing you and your partner to control the net and put pressure on your opponents right away.
Adjust to the Padel Racket
The padel racket is heavier with a thicker perforated racket face. In comparison pickleball rackets have a solid racket face. Getting used to the different rackets and the feel of the padel balls (versus perforated plastic pickleball balls) will take some time for pickleball players.
It’s also important pickleball players shift from the sweeping motions common in pickleball, to compact padel strokes that prioritize accuracy over power. This adjustment will help you handle the faster pace of padel effectively.
Summary
By mastering these aspects—the glass, serving, and the rackets —you can transition from pickleball to padel with confidence, enhancing your performance and enjoyment of the game. Embrace the differences, and you’ll quickly find your footing in the exciting world of padel.
