If you have decided to start playing padel, but you still aren’t familiar with it, you should use some advice from someone who knows this sport really well.
We at Sporting Versilia thought that asking some questions to our two super padel instructors, Silvia and Carlos, might be helpful. But, before we proceed, allow us to introduce them to you.
Silvia Storari
Silvia a Federazione Italiana Tennis second level instructor, beach tennis European champion, with more than 20 years in tennis, beach tennis and, since 2015, padel teaching.
Carlos Blanco
Carlos Blanco, Spanish with more than six years of experience in teaching padel to pros and semi-pros. He was trained by some of the most important Spanish and Argentinian padel coaches.
Well then, know that you know them a little bit more, you are ready to discover their suggestion to properly start playing padel..
Sporting Versilia: discover our padel courts
Padel: our teachers’ suggestions
Why do you think padel is having such a huge success?
Carlos: Because everybody can play it. Starting is really easy, and everybody has fun, at every level. And, as opposed to other sports, you can play without being in ten or twenty, because all it takes to play are four persons.
What would you suggest to those who are trying padel for the first time?
Silvia: Since starting is easy, many think that you don’t need a teacher. But that’s not true.
Carlos: I would tell him that he is going to have a lot of fun and, as we said, starting is easy. But getting good at it is another thing, and without taking lessons, it’s impossible. It’s not one of those sport where you learn just by practicing it.
Which is the main difficulty for the beginners?
Silvia: The glass, because those who already play tennis are not used to it, while those who play squash are used to have it in a different position. In padel the glass is quite peculiar. (learn how a padel court is)
Carlos: Holding the racket in the right way, especially if you already play tennis.
How do you find the right partner since padel only features double matches?
Silvia: My advice is to try and play with many different partners because then a sort of “natural selection” occurs, and you find someone at your level.
What would you suggest to someone that already plays tennis and wants to try padel?
Carlos: To forget what he knows, because padel is a whole new game. One could think: there’s a racket, there’s a ball, there’s a net… it’s the same game! But game style and pace are totally different. In tennis, you put everything in the racket, while in padel, you have to play with your head, with your legs, and with the racket. I would advice him to play in a more relaxed way.
Silvia: It’s quite common, for us, to teach to players that “bring” a tennis game inside a padel court, therefore they don’t properly exploit the walls or don’t move in the right way.
How much choosing the right accessories matters?
Silvia: Personally I suggest avoiding a “low cost” racket, because you can totally feel the difference. The weight is important. A good racket should be light and well balanced.
Carlos: In padel, there are many different rackets. You can do some test and find the right one. But what’s important is who is using the racket…
Now that you know something more about padel, are you ready to play? If you are willing to book a lesson with our teachers or to book a padel court, contact us now!
