If you’re looking for a new hobby to do with a friend or partner, you’ve undoubtedly come across the suggestion of sports.
Sports are an obvious go-to: they get you out of the house, they’re a fantastic form of exercise, and they’re a whole lot of fun. There are so many different two-player sports out there to choose from, and no matter what you’re interested in, there’s sure to be something that’ll appeal to both of you.
Racket sports are typically your best bet, but choosing in the beginning can be quite the challenge. Trying a new sport is nerve-wracking, and if you can’t rent equipment, you’re investing money into something that you potentially won’t like.
To help you get started, this short article will cover three popular options to whet your appetite.
1. Padel
Padel is a super fun racket-based sport, and while it’s traditionally played in doubles (two teams of two facing off), it works great as a two-player game.
It’s a good mix between the play styles of tennis and badminton, so if you’ve played either of those sports, you should feel right at home here. Players serve diagonally into the other player’s box, and the ball has to bounce once before it can be returned. The scoring system is actually the same as tennis, which is 15, 30, 40, game.
You should be able to rent the equipment you need at first, but if you get really into it, you’ll want your own bullpadel rackets.
2. Tennis
If you’re looking for a two-player game to play during the summer, then nothing quite beats tennis. Given that the courts are larger and you’ll need more power to send the ball, it’s a more intense form of exercise than most, and most towns and cities have courts you can hire for relatively little money.
The rules are simple. Return the ball before it bounces twice, and make sure it’s always kept within the indicated boundaries.
This is a game where you’ll usually want to purchase your own rackets, as there won’t necessarily be anyone available to rent from when you rent the court.
3. Badminton
If you’re looking for a slightly more relaxed, less strenuous two-player sport, badminton is a great option.
Unlike in Tennis, you’ll spend most of your time vollying the shuttlecock rather than performing a smash hit (though often this is necessary to score). You’ll need to hit the shuttlecock over the net to land in the other player’s court, and a match is usually played to 21 points.
The beauty of badminton is that it’s played indoors, so you’ve got the benefit of being able to participate during all seasons.
Wrapping Up
The above three sports are considered the best entry points for beginners getting into racket sports. Your local sports centre is likely your best shot for trying each of them, so head down, speak to some other players, and see what resonates with you the most. Have fun!