The padel ball is probably the most important accessory in a match, as without it, there is no game. It seems like a simple object, but it has a science and physics that allows the game to develop correctly. It's time to give padel balls the importance they deserve and get to know them in depth to understand how they work and how the court's altitude can influence the balls and our game.

Padel Balls: Behavior and Characteristics

As mentioned in the introduction, padel balls can greatly influence our game. A ball is created with the strictest possible specifications for the most efficient performance. All these specifications are dictated by the International Padel Federation to create a standard applicable to all balls. The padel ball has often been compared to tennis balls. Since both are racket sports, it is believed that they use the same ball, but this is not the case. The rules written by the FIP address the dimensions of the ball, its size, and its pressure, which is what the most important padel brands use as a guide for manufacturing their balls.

Basic Characteristics of Padel Balls

The regulations created by the Federation detail the physical characteristics that balls must have to be considered legal. It is true that there are training balls for children that have different weight and size characteristics, but we will focus on the standard ball. The regulations state that the ball "must be a rubber sphere with a uniform outer surface of white or yellow color. Its diameter must measure between 6.35 and 6.77 cm and its weight will be between 56.0 and 59.4 grams." As can be seen, the federation is very meticulous regarding the regulatory measurements of the ball. There is also much discussion about the topic of pressure (one of the most important points of this publication, which we will address in a moment). The rule states that "the ball must have an internal pressure between 4.6 and 5.2 kg per 2.54 square cm."

How Does a Padel Ball Behave at Higher Altitudes?

This is one of the most important topics of this publication and why you have surely read this far. Believe it or not, the altitude of the geographical area where you are located influences the game, and even more so the ball. The regulations state that "when playing at more than 500 m above sea level, other types of balls may be used, being identical to the type described above except that the bounce must be more than 121.92 cm and less than 135 cm." Playing at sea level and playing at high altitude is very different. When playing at a higher altitude, the ball tends to bounce more and have greater speed. That is why some brands create balls specially designed for high-altitude situations. These types of balls have lower pressure and are slower with less bounce, so that at altitude, their behavior is the same as playing at sea level.