How not to take the joy OUT of padel!
Hey there, padel enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the world of padel etiquette and spice things up a bit. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, these unwritten rules will help you keep the vibes on the court as smooth as your backhand.
Top 10 Padel Don’ts (Ranked in Reverse Order by Annoyance Level)
- Bag Blunder: Keep those bags off the benches, folks! The ground is your bag’s BFF.
- Smash and Dash: Hit someone with the ball? A quick “sorry” goes a long way. No need for a victory dance.
- Net Luck: Caught a lucky break with the net? A little “my bad” nod is all it takes. No need to claim you meant to do that.
- Lob Overload: Excessive high lobs? More like excessive yawns. Too much/many is just disrespectful.
- Ball Chaos: Don’t make your opponents chase balls like they’re in a fetch competition.
- Ghosting After the Game: Don’t pull a Houdini after the match. Shake hands, make eye contact, and keep it real.
- Phone Addiction: Keep those DMs for later. The court is for playing, not scrolling.
- The Fake Rush: Saying you can’t grab a post-game drink but then chilling in the sauna? Not cool, bro.
- Fashionably Late: Time is precious, especially when court time is under 90 minutes. Don’t be that person.
- Serve and Swerve: Give your opponent a sec to get ready. Rushing serves is so not fetch. [BTW that saying comes from the 2004 film, Mean Girls!]
Bonus Pet Peeve: The Silent Treatment
Giving your partner the cold shoulder during a match? That’s a big no-no. Communication is key, both for your game and for keeping things fun.
Self-Awareness Check
Even the best of us have our quirks. Here are some things that I tend to do … that might ruffle a few feathers:
- Grunting like you’re lifting a car
- Talking my partner’s ear off (there’s a fine line between communication and a TED talk)
- Unsolicited advice (even if you mean well)
- Sneaky phone checks (pro tip: explain if it’s for medical reasons like checking glucose levels)
The Golden Manners of Padel
Remember, it’s all about respect, self-awareness, and keeping the fun alive on the court. Padel is more than just a game; it’s a vibe. So, let’s keep it cool, make it fun, and maybe grab that post-game drink together (p.s. anyway, that’s rule #5 of padel). Cheers to good games and even better sportsmanship!
