What is the basic principle of padel tactics?
The net. A pair at the net can hit down and at sharper angles, and leaves the opponents less time. A pair in front of the back wall defends and tries to win the net back with a lob or a low shot, so much of the game is a battle for the net.
The second principle is patience. At recreational level, a lot of points are lost through your own mistakes, so it pays to play safe and wait for a good ball.
How do you get to the net and stay there?
- After serving, go straight to the net, because your partner is already there.
- After a good lob, you both move up to the net, because your opponents have to retreat.
- At the net, stand roughly a couple of metres back from it. Any closer and you’re defenceless against the lob. Any further back and the ball comes at your feet.
- Against a lob, play a bandeja or a vibora, so you stay at the net. Only smash when the lob is short and you’re sure to finish the point.
How do you defend when your opponents are at the net?
- The lob is the best way to get your opponents away from the net. Aim close to the back wall.
- A chiquita (a slow, low ball at their feet) forces them to hit upwards.
- A ball down the middle makes your opponents decide which of them hits it, and sometimes they get that decision wrong.
- And be patient. In defence you don’t need to win the point straight away. Wait for a short ball.
Our technique guide shows how to play these shots.
Where should you hit the ball?
- Down the middle. The net is lower there, and your opponents have to decide which of them takes it.
- At their feet, because a ball hit at the feet of a player at the net is hard to return.
- Deep with a lob, when your opponents are at the net and you can’t attack.
- At an angle only when you’re close to the net yourself. An angled shot from the back of the court gives your opponent a good angle in return.
And don’t hit hard into your opponent’s back glass when they’re standing in front of it. The ball comes off the glass straight onto their racket.
Should you play on the right or the left?
In a pair of right-handers, the player on the right has their forehand by the side wall and their backhand in the middle. The player on the left has their forehand in the middle and often also takes the lobs that come down the middle.
That’s why the player with the stronger overhead, who is more willing to take risks, usually plays on the left. The steadier player, who builds the point and makes fewer mistakes, plays on the right.
With a left-hander and a right-hander, the picture is different. If the left-hander plays on the right and the right-hander on the left, both forehands are in the middle, so agree before the game who takes the balls down the middle.
How do you move together with your partner?
As if you were tied together with a rope: either both at the net or both at the back. If one of you is at the front and the other at the back, a gap opens up between you, and your opponents will find it.
- When a lob goes over one player, the other often runs after it and the first one switches sides. Agree on this beforehand.
- Call “mine”, “yours” or “yes”, especially for balls coming down the middle.
- If your partner runs out of the court after a ball, you cover the middle.
How do you serve and return tactically?
The server usually aims at the receiver’s backhand or body and goes straight to the net. The server’s partner is already at the net, covering the middle.
The receiver’s safest option is a lob or a low ball down the middle. A hard return aimed at the player at the net often gives them an easy volley.
How do you play the deciding point?
On a golden point or a star point, the receiving pair chooses which of them receives the serve. Pick whichever of you returns this server’s ball better. We explain how these points work on the scoring page.
On a deciding point, play safe. An error by your opponents is worth exactly as much as a winner from you.
What should you work on at each level?
| Level | Tactical focus |
|---|---|
| Beginner | keeping the ball in play, the lob, consistency first and speed only after that |
| Intermediate | going to the net after the serve and after a lob, the bandeja, moving as a pair |
| Experienced | varying your shots, the vibora, the chiquita, playing on your opponents’ weaknesses |
The fastest way to learn tactics is in a group class, where the coach stops play and shows you what happened. If you’re looking for a class, send us an enquiry.