Activity 54: Padel game

Activity summary

This fast-paced tactical game sees four players each defend their quarter and attempt to attack others’ quarters to score points—strategy, positioning, and quick decision-making are key.

Activity setup

  • Group of 4, each with a racket and one ball shared.
  • Mark four quarters with cones or lines (or use existing court lines).
  • More players? Rotate in after alternating shots. Fewer? Use two quarters or have players share quarters.

What to do:

  • Each player has 5 lives and defends their quarter.
  • Ball must bounce once before hitting; cannot hit any wall first.
  • If ball lands in your quarter and bounces twice, you lose a life.
  • Hit the ball into another quarter; last player with lives wins. Rotate corners as players are eliminated.

Activity video

Watch this video to see the session in action.

Coaching Tips

  • Stay central on the balls of your feet to cover more ground.
  • Control pace—flat hard shots risk hitting the wall first and losing a life.
  • Use lunges and low positioning to step in and absorb impact.
  • Open racket face to hit under the ball into desired corner.
  • When attacking, disguise shots and target difficult-to-reach spaces, reading opponents’ positions.

Make it easier

  • Use a sponge ball, play cooperatively, allow volleys and wall hits, or let players tap up before sending.

Make it harder

  • Disallow hitting back to the previous feeder.
  • Add floor targets in each quarter that the ball must land in.

Safety

Use the STEP framework—Space, Time, Equipment, and People—to adapt difficulty.

Always ensure clear space for all players, and that under-18s wear protective goggles.

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