Padel Smarts

Padel guides

Understand the point

Clear tactical guides on positioning, shot choice and pair movement, with examples you can see and practise.

  1. What should I do after serving?Serve, then join the net, do not stay back on the baseline.
  2. Who covers the middle in padel?Call it early, take the middle ball, then move together, the right side player often starts with middle responsibility.
  3. Where should I stand when my partner smashes?Cover the space your partner leaves and stay connected for the next ball.
  4. What are the main patterns of play in padel?Padel moves through three jobs: defend under pressure, transition through the middle of the court, then attack at the net.
  5. When should you give up the net?When the ball is lobbed over you, drop back and rebuild, do not stay stranded at the net.
  6. When should you move in after a deep return?When your return lands deep and the server is still back, step in together, do not stay stuck on the service line.
  7. What should you do when your partner is stretched wide?Slide across and cover the middle, protect the open court your partner left.
  8. How do you use the glass in padel?Give yourself space, let deep balls come off the glass when that is the safer first touch, and do not rush early.
  9. What should you do with the return of serve?Aim with a clear target, usually deep, and be ready to move in when the return lands well.
  10. When is the lob on in padel?Lob when both opponents are tight on the net, and avoid lobbing when they are already deep and ready.
  11. Who should you play to in padel?Prefer the opponent who is further from the net or more out of position, not the closer, ready volleyer.
  12. How do you hold the net in padel?Stay connected at a sensible distance from the tape, keep the racket ready, and recover after each ball, do not crowd or freeze.
  13. Where should you stand when your partner serves?Start in a connected support position at the net, ready to cover your half and the middle for the first volley.