Padel, unlike other sports, is a discipline that is very conducive to those people who have inevitably reached a certain age. Although your physical condition is not the same in your twenties as it is in your fifties, you can learn some tricks to remain competitive on the padel court and continue to enjoy the wonderful sport.

So if you are thinking of hanging up your sports uniform, banish the idea from your mind. Now that we’ve just entered the year 2023, it’s the perfect time to make good resolutions. Here are some tips for learning to play padel after 50:

Lighter pala and appropriate footwear.
In terms of equipment for playing padel, choose a lighter pala, a racquet for playing padel. By doing so, you will gain more speed and dexterity while avoiding possible muscle strain or other types of injuries. It is also important that you purchase padel shoes according to your physical condition and weight. Which helps to reduce the risk of injury.

Balloon or candle, a resource to remember.
One of the ball strikes when playing padel, aka, the Balloon Ball, is a resource to keep in mind. This type of shot will help you break up the explosive play of the opposing pair, avoiding fast balls and slowing down the rhythm of the game. High and deep air balls between four and six metres high are a great alternative for all veterans. A very effective shot to break the pace of the padel game.

Improve your technique.
A great way to compensate for a lack of strength as a natural consequence of age is to practice playing padel a lot and properly, improve your technique. The speed of hitting the ball depends on both strength and technique, and the latter can be improved with time spent practising padel.

Use controlled ball strikes.
Build your padel game on controlling technique, juxtaposed to power strokes. The latter involve much more explosive movements that have a higher injury rate.

Distribute your strengths.
The smutch is the strongest and most accurate ball striking shot when playing the padel, and it goes without saying that when you are a veteran or mature player, you don’t have the same energy as before. If we add to that to get to the ball and make optimal conditions to hit it, we have to do a sprint. Perhaps the most sensible option is to skip the ball and play it when it bounces off the wall, even if it means losing your attacking position at the net.

Avoid positions at the net.
Avoid moves that require sudden movements and great reaction. This situation usually occurs at points on the padel court that are in the attacking zone near the net, especially with younger pairs. Needless to say, the most veteran padel players almost always have all of these tricky points in their game plans.

Maintain good physical condition.
It has been shown that those players, both young and veteran, who train and maintain good physical condition and take care of themselves with a healthy and balanced diet are less likely to suffer injuries on the padel court.

Learn tactics and strategy.
Learn to read the padel game and key moments in matches. If technique is important to senior players, don’t underestimate tactics or strategy. It’s about maximising opportunities by doing the least amount of physical wear and tear. Study your opponents’ weaknesses and learn how to score points in the parts of the padel court where you have the best chance of success. To achieve this, it is a prerequisite that is developed by good contact and in close communication with your partner.

Choose the right side of the court.
If your partner is younger than you, always choose the right side of the court to play padel. You will run less mileage, you will make less effort, and fatigue will come later.