How to choose the right padel balls
Far more than just a piece of equipment, the padel ball is a crucial element that dictates the pace and style of the match.
Types of Padel Balls
There are three different types of padel balls: normal balls, fast balls, and training balls.
Normal Ball: The standard choice for most games, offering a balance between speed and control, suitable for a wide range of playing conditions and skill levels.
Fast Ball: These balls are designed for higher speed and bounce, ideal for experienced players or for use in cooler conditions where the ball tends to move slower and, of course, in tournaments.
Training Ball: These are typically more durable and designed for extensive use during training sessions. They may not offer the same performance characteristics as match balls but are ideal for practice and drills.
The distinction between these padel balls primarily lies in their hardness and felt composition. Training balls are designed to be harder, which enhances their durability for extended gameplay. However, they exhibit a distinct, consistent bounce pattern that differs from tournament-grade balls. Training balls are particularly suitable for situations like a ball basket, where absolute precision in bounce isn't paramount, but maintaining speed remains crucial.
In contrast, tournament balls are engineered to deliver a flawless bounce right out of the tube but may not maintain their speed as effectively over prolonged use compared to practice balls.
How Long Does a Padel Ball Last?
A fresh padel ball is vital for optimal play. As the ball ages, it loses its pressure and bounce, significantly affecting the game's dynamics.
Typically, padel balls have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 weeks or roughly 4-5 matches. Nevertheless, several variables can influence the durability of padel balls, including weather conditions, temperature, the force with which players strike the balls, and whether the balls are filled with Nitrogen or compressed air.
The lifespan of a padel ball depends on its use and quality. Typically, a ball used in regular play might last a few matches before losing its optimal characteristics. Experienced players may replace balls every match to ensure a consistent playing experience.
What is the difference Between a Tennis Ball and a Padel Ball?
Padel balls are similar to tennis balls. However, they differ slightly in size and have different internal pressures. They are made from the same materials and by the same manufacturers, but the pressure is lower in padel balls, causing less bounce. The padel ball is roughly 8% smaller than a Tennis ball.
People often wonder why they aren't the same and why to give a ball less bounce; surely that is less fun, right? That's wrong. Padel is a lot more fun with the less bouncy balls; if they are too bouncy, it will make it too easy for players to return.
Padel is also a much softer game than tennis, and if you were to make the Padel balls with a higher pressure, it would make the ball travel much faster around the court. Making shots like the smash too tricky to get back and too easy for the opponents to win the point.
The materials of the padel balls
Padel balls are almost waterproof, thanks to the surface with the "hair" that allows good friction even in rain. The material they are made of is synthetically combined with felt, which favors the best grip against the walls. The core of the ball, on the other hand, guarantees an efficient bounce even on small surfaces such as the racket.
What is a Padel Ball Pressurizer, and How is it Used?
The moment we open a new padel ball canister and the balls come into contact with unpressurized air; they lose pressure. The idea of a Padel Ball Pressurizer is when cans are reopened; it is like opening a new can of balls.
The Pressurize comes in different types, but The Pascal Box and its type are considered accurate and reliable pressure canisters. It offers precise control of the pressure inside the canister using a manometer and a valve that allows it to be filled with air using a small pump.
How to Best Store Padel Balls?
To maintain the quality of your padel balls, storing them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight is recommended. Extreme temperatures, whether too high or too low, can harm the balls. It's best to keep them sealed in their tube until you're ready to use them. When you're done using them, placing them back in the tube will help protect them from light and moisture and also prevent them from scattering throughout your padel bag.
How Many Balls Are Used for a Padel Match?
Some players coming to Padel from tennis is used to have a lot of balls lying around the court. You don't do that in Padel. The court is smaller, played as a double, and there is no space for many balls.
When playing Padel, a tube containing three or four balls suffices. The server requires one ball for the first serve and another in their pocket as a backup for the second serve. The third ball is typically kept in the partner's pocket, though it may be held by an opponent or positioned near the net.
The key objective is to prevent loose balls from cluttering the court during a rally. This serves two purposes: first, it minimizes the risk of tripping over them, and second, it ensures you do not forfeit a point by colliding with a stray ball and failing to return your opponent's shot. Each player is responsible for maintaining a clear half of the court.
Additionally, this practice facilitates smoother transitions between rallies. It eliminates the need to constantly retrieve balls for the next rally, enabling a more seamless game flow as balls are efficiently returned to the server.
Why are padel and tennis balls yellow?
You must know that the story dates back to around 1972, when color television began to spread, which was previously black and white, including sports broadcasts.
The ball, which was initially white according to ITF (International Tennis Federation) regulations, was very difficult to see on television precisely because of its color. It was challenging to follow such rapid passages in the game because the ball easily got confused with the lines of the field, and the means of the time did not allow for a clear view.
And so, viewers began to complain until the ball's color was changed to yellow.