Why should you play padel with specific shoes?
Padel is played on sand-filled artificial grass. This makes the court very slippery. Padel shoes have a sole with a specific shape so that players of all levels have the grip they need. They also provide lateral stability, foot support, and cushioning as they absorb impacts.
How do you play padel?
Matches are played in teams of two (doubles). Two serves are allowed and must be played underhand, diagonally across the court. One bounce is allowed. The ball must hit the ground before any other part of the court. The ball can be hit against a wall after it has bounced (wall only, not the metal fence). The ball can leave the court after bouncing and can be hit back into play from outside the court. The points system is the same as tennis.
To start off on the right foot, our design team has some tips:
Besides kitting yourself out with the right shoes, it's a good idea to use specific beginner balls when you start learning padel. They are softer and slower so that you can easily learn to control their trajectory.
Taking lessons is also a good way of saving time and making sure you don't just mimic tennis or squash moves.