We have written previously about why padel is so great for children, but it is a fantastic sport for all ages. The thrilling blend of strategy, skill, and teamwork means that padel is a game that can be enjoyed regardless of your age.
As we age, our bodies and abilities naturally change and it is necessary to adapt some aspects of one’s gameplay to remain competitive and injury-free. That does not simply mean slowing down - it is about playing smarter.
Padel is the sport of a lifetime. There is no reason why you cannot enjoy padel for decades. Here are some tips from the Padel39 team about how you can evolve your game as you get older.
Younger players tend to have the advantage if they rely on explosive movements and raw power to win points. There is no denying that the passing of time will impact your physicality, but all is not lost if you refine your approach to give you a competitive advantage. Instead of hitting the ball as hard as you can, focus on:
Court positioning: Reduce the need for excessive movement by improving your anticipation of where the ball is going and ensuring you are in the right place.
Control: Focus on making your opponents move through careful ball placement rather than trying to overpower them. Tire the youngsters out so that they lose the physical advantage!
Master the soft shot: Practice the lob, drop shots (Chiquita), and well-positioned volleys to outwit your opponents.
There is no denying that a person’s physician attributes like agility and time to recover will change with age, but you can learn to be much more efficient if you focus on some simple footwork adjustments. Not only will this help reduce fatigue, it will reduce unnecessary strain on the body. Consider the following adjustments:
Short steps: Use smaller, controlled, and timely steps that are more efficient than large, excessive, and explosive strides, which will help your endurance on the court.
Target weaknesses: Identify your opponent’s weaker side or tendency to overcommit and exploit it. Sometimes, that means going to a strength before targeting the weakness.
Optimal position: Seek to actively recover to the right place on the court to force your opponents to go wider, with bigger shots, or make more errors, and, in turn, it shortens the distance you need to cover.
Anticipation: Your experience will provide a mental edge that, if used wisely, will overcome any physical disadvantage you might have. Watch your opponent’s body language to predict where they will hit the ball so you have more time to get to the right place.
Communicate with your partner: Strong teamwork and communication can compensate for any decline in physicality.
It is a sad reality that recovery takes longer, and the risk of injury increases with age. There are, however, some simple steps that you can take to mitigate these risks so that you can keep playing for years to come:
Warm-up and cool down properly: Spend at least 10 minutes warming up with dynamic stretches and light exercises before playing. And don’t underestimate the importance of a good stretch after your game before you take that car ride home. The team at Padel39 can help recommend a routine to follow.
Strengthen key muscle groups: Focus on core stability, hips, legs, and shoulders to support your movements and reduce injury risk. Yoga or Pilates can help keep your joints and muscles flexible, whilst activities like swimming, cycling, or brisk walking improve endurance without excessive strain.
Listen to your body: If you feel pain or discomfort, don’t push through it. Take rest days or consult a physiotherapist.
As your body changes, you should think more carefully about your padel equipment. Using age-appropriate gear can make a significant difference in your comfort and performance. We would recommend the following:
Suitable racket: Padel rackets have different characteristics based on shape, weight, holes, and various technologies that affect racket performance. Selecting a suitable racket will reduce the strain on your wrist, arm, and shoulder, helping prevent injuries like ‘tennis’ or ‘golf’ elbow.
Comfortable shoes: Invest in high-quality padel shoes that provide cushioning, support for your joints, and grip on the playing surface. Consider using custom or orthotics.
Correct overgrips: Padel is a fast-paced, dynamic sport, and having the correct size and type of overgrip is crucial. Some players even wrap two overgrips to increase the grip size and reduce vibration to protect their wrists and elbows.
We hope we have helped to show padel is a brilliant sport for all ages and that getting older does not mean that your abilities on the padel court will be compromised.
There is no reason why you cannot enjoy padel well into the later years of life. It is a very accessible sport, and a few simple considerations will keep you competitive against the youngsters.
Our advice? Embrace the changes, focus on your strengths, and keep enjoying the thrill of padel - after all, age is just a number!
