The emergence of padel gives birth to a new social practice where sport is no longer the element that is in the foreground but is accompanied by a trend where many people meet there to exchange.

First, we must not confuse the “practice” which, according to Reckwitz (2002), represents “an emphatic term to describe the whole of human action” (P133) and a “practice” representing, “a type routine behavior which consists of several interrelated elements: forms of physical activity, forms of mental activity, “things” and their use, basic knowledge in the form of understanding, knowing- do, states of emotion and motivational knowledge. "(P133). The theory of social practice dissects this last meaning of a practice where three elements constitute the pillars of the emergence of a social practice, images, skills and materials.

Indeed, if one were to describe the theory of social practice in sociology, we would emphasize a "way of doing" followed by a collective or individual activity socially present in a social context. This theory is more complex than that because it puts several elements into action in situations that may be different with different communities. This is why we are going to focus on the emergence of a new practice as a new social practice.

Le padel is a new market which is developing day by day and which already constitutes a large community where players, producers and consumers share the same passion and the same rules.

Indeed, because beyond sport lies a real social practice. For example, Giddens, (1984), says that when someone plays football, "he is actively participating in the reproduction of the game itself. » (P2), that is, the rules are considered more by the players than the sport itself. We can thus think that it is found at padel because the rules and respect for other players is a very important element in a sport where only 4 players are present on the field.

 The theory of social practice has been separated into several elements in order to be better analyzed.

If we take this practice in the field of sport, three interconnected elements have been separated in order to be better analyzed. Indeed, Shove et al (2012), say that the three-element model includes “images (meanings, symbols), skills (skill forms, procedures) and materials (materials, technologies) dynamically integrated by skilled practitioners through regular and repeated performances ”(P24). These elements fully constitute the construction and transmission of a social practice.

First, the "materials", denoting the things allowing the birth of the practice are often according to Shove & Pantzar (2005) "directly involved in the conduct and reproduction of daily life" (P24) so ​​we can determine the " materials ”of this new sporting practice which are rackets, outfits, sports brands, fields and clubs thus constituting the first elements in the construction of social practice because these elements are fully involved in the reproduction of daily life allowing players to participate in this new practice.

So we can say that, Reckwitz (2002) “Realizing a practice very often means using particular things in a certain way. It may seem trivial to point out that in order to play football we need a ball and objectives as indispensable "resources" (P250), indeed things are inevitably at the center of the practice, as for example, a racket or a balloon but to ensure the production and reproduction of the practice, skills and meanings must be integrated.

Secondly, meanings / images, this refers to Bourdieu's concept of habitus (1984) which emphasizes the sociological aspect of individuals and "their way of being, constituting the set of habits and acquired behaviors. by an individual, a group of individuals or a social group ”(P24). Thus, the understanding of the meanings of a new sport practice is shared within a social group which brings the group together. In addition, Rettie, Burchell, & Riley (2012) note that “behaviors are fair or appropriate” (P24) and this is strongly linked to the feeling that a practice is considered social when the number of participants practicing sport is large. and that the group shares the same passion thus attracting other individuals.

Indeed, if people do not engage in sport and do not see others engage with it, they come to think that the practice is not suitable and cannot be transmitted. This is not the case with the padel where from its emergence a community was formed, investments were presented and tournaments were organized proving that the number of participants is large enough to bring this practice to life and share a social practice.

Third, skills refer to procedures, know-how and technique. This element of social practice theory has its roots in Bourdieu (1986) and Shilling (1991) and emphasizes that skills are like “multiple forms of understanding and knowledge” (P24) and so this type of knowledge is necessary for the realization of the practice.

Thus, these three elements of the theory of social practice, although distinct in their characteristics, must be interconnected in order to bring out a new social practice. They constitute a block whose common factor allowing the interconnection of these elements is the individual, that is to say, the player, the entrepreneur, the investor or the sponsor.

Indeed, the practices can be defined according to Schatzki (1996) as a “set of facts and words” (P24) but also according to Reckwitz (2002) as “ways of understanding, of knowing and of desiring” (P25). The individual is then the second centerpiece of the practice, it is through his performance and his actions that social practice can emerge. If we take the example of football, the footballer is not only used to kick a ball and participate in the proper functioning of the game. Indeed, he has become in the process of emergence of social practice, a practitioner. active and creative reproduction of the practice. Thus, it would be wise to consider consumers more as players who come to play sport and fulfill objectives but rather as individuals wanting to share their emotions by transmitting their passion for sport.

Thus, this new sport practice as a new social practice shows that there is a whole process and a multitude of elements and actors put together to build this social practice. Beyond this new social practice, sport is proving to be a very important consumer practice in our society.

Tanguy Le Roux

Student in Master 2 entrepreneurship and innovation at IESEG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT in Paris and passionate about sport, I decided to devote my end-of-study thesis to the emergence of padel in France as a sport and social practice and the associated market development. Having lived 22 years in Morocco and for 5 years in France, I am delighted to be able to share my skills.

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