A progressive coaching model for youth padel: Expert-based validation of developmentally adapted practice environments

Padel has expanded rapidly worldwide, yet children are still often introduced to the sport on courts, with equipment and under game conditions designed for adults. This study aimed to design and validate the content of a progressive coaching model to guide the manipulation of task constraints in youth padel, including playing space, net height, equipment and rules. An instrumental mixed methods design was used, combining a structured narrative review with expert judgement for content validation. Twelve specialists in padel, racket sports, coaching and physical education assessed a 28-item rubric on a 1 to 7 Likert scale and answered open questions about the educational and methodological value of the model. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, high-agreement percentage, Aiken's V and internal consistency, while qualitative responses were analysed through thematic analysis. The overall evaluation was favourable, with a total mean score of 6.07 ± 1.45, an overall Aiken's V of .845, 76.5% of responses rated 6 or higher and high internal consistency ( α = .953). These results should be interpreted as content validity evidence based on expert judgement, rather than as empirical evidence of player outcomes. Experts supported the need to adapt youth padel and valued the model as a practical framework for coaches. The green stage received the highest score, suggesting that the transition to the official court should still be understood as a pedagogical phase rather than an immediate move to adult play. The findings provide initial content-validity evidence for a progressive coaching model in youth padel, although future empirical studies with young players are needed.