Padel: The sport taking Krugersdorp by storm
From beginners looking for fun to players chasing competition, padel is bringing people together one rally at a time.
With padel becoming an increasingly popular sport over the past few years, a local coach has explained the rules and how the game works.
Reese Shelver, a padel coach at Krugersdorp Padel and league player, describes padel as a racket and social sport that experienced a major boom around 2023.
“You can play the sport competitively, but also just for fun and to be social, especially with friends,” he explained.
The basics of how it works
Shelver explained that the scoring system works exactly like tennis. The ball must bounce once on the opponent’s side of the net, and it may only bounce once on the floor.
“The ball also cannot hit the glass panel at the back directly and has to hit the floor first. If the ball hits the glass and metal fencing on the side directly, the other team gains the point,” he said.
He added that after the ball has bounced on the floor, it is allowed to hit the glass, and players can continue the rally by playing the ball off the glass.
A padel court consists of two service blocks and a backline. Shelver explained that when serving, the ball must be played diagonally into the opposite service box. The serve must be taken from behind the backline and, unlike tennis, must be performed below waist height.
The skills needed
Shelver explained that padel can be a more relaxed sport and is not as intense as tennis.
“If you have a group of friends who want to start playing, I want to encourage you to join social matches, where players shuffle between courts, and you get to play with other people,” he said.
He added that while there is technique involved when hitting the ball, especially when trying to create backspin, it is not always necessary.
“The best way to hit the ball is to do so in the way you are most comfortable,” he explained.
The gear
Apart from a racket, which can be rented, Shelver said the only other necessary equipment is padel balls and suitable shoes.
“Shoes are not a must-have, as you can play with regular takkies; however, they can wear out quickly,” he concluded.
