PadelDraw15 Padel Tips for Beginners
New to padel? From grip and using the glass to getting to the net and talking to your partner, here are 15 practical tips to make your first months easier.
The best thing about padel is that it is fun from day one. Within minutes you are rallying, and four people walk off court laughing. But after a while you notice the same mistakes creeping back: reacting late to the ball off the glass, hitting everything as hard as you can, staying away from the net.
Here are the 15 tips that help new players the most. Don't try to apply them all at once; focusing on one or two per match works far better.
Basics: grip, stance and movement
1. Start with a continental grip
Hold the racket as if you were holding a hammer. This "continental" grip works for forehands, backhands, volleys and the serve, so you never have to switch grips mid-rally. Don't squeeze; a relaxed but controlled hold gives you a better feel for the ball.
2. Wear the wrist strap
Padel rackets come with a wrist strap. Wear it every time. It stops the racket slipping out of your hand and flying towards your partner or the opponents.
3. Bend your knees, stay low
In padel the ball often arrives low. Bending your knees lets you hit it in front of your body and under control. Get down with your legs, not by bending at the waist.
4. Move with small steps
Instead of big strides towards the ball, take short, quick steps. The court is small; the point is not speed but being the right distance from the ball.
Make friends with the glass
5. Let the ball come off the glass
The most common beginner mistake is rushing to hit a ball that is heading for the wall. Be patient: after it comes off the glass it is slower, and you have more time to play it.
6. Turn side-on, not back-on
While waiting for a ball to come off the back glass, turn your body sideways. You keep sight of the ball and you are ready to swing as it comes back.
7. Don't hammer your own wall
Hitting the ball hard into your own back wall to get it over the net is an advanced shot and a last resort. In normal rallies, aim to send the ball straight over.
Position and tactics
8. Get to the net
Most points in padel are won by the pair at the net. After serving, or after a shot that puts the opponents in trouble, move forward. Staying at the back hands the initiative to the other side.
9. Learn the lob
The lob is one of padel's most important shots. When the opponents are settled at the net, a good lob over them gets you out of defence and opens the way to the net. Aim high and deep; a short lob just gives them a smash.
10. Play down the middle
When in doubt, send the ball between the two opponents. It creates confusion about who should take it, and because you give away no angle, it is low risk.
11. Placement over power
A hard shot comes back off the glass and buys the opponent time. Slower, well-placed balls, especially at the opponents' feet, are much more effective.
12. Stay level with your partner
Move as if you and your partner were tied together with a rope: if one goes to the net, so does the other; if one drops back, so does the other. A big gap between you is exactly where the ball will go.
Matches and mindset
13. Talk
Short calls like "Mine!", "Yours!" and "Leave it!" save the balls down the middle. Uncertainty over who takes the shot costs new pairs more points than almost anything else.
14. Make your serve safe
The padel serve is underarm and is there to start the rally, not to win the point. Focus on avoiding double faults. Our guide to padel serve and return rules covers the rules.
15. Play with different people
Always playing with the same four is comfortable, but it slows your progress. Different partners and opponents mean different styles. Formats where your partner changes every round, like Americano, are a great way to do this. For mixed groups, Mixed Americano is a good option too.
A rough plan for your first months
| Stage | Focus on |
|---|---|
| First few matches | Grip, low stance, getting the ball back over |
| Following weeks | Letting the ball come off the glass, the lob |
| Later on | Getting to the net, staying level with your partner, placement |
| Always | Communication and playing with different people |
This is not a fixed programme, just a direction. Everyone improves at their own pace, and if you have played tennis or another racket sport, you may move through some steps quickly.
Why social tournaments are a great start
In social formats like Americano, every match is short, you play with someone new each round, and scores are kept as a points total. For a beginner that takes the pressure off: one bad match does not decide your evening. To join a tournament run with PadelDraw you don't need to download anything; scan the QR code, type your name, and follow the scores live on your phone.
Curious where you stand? Our article on padel levels and the 1–7 scale gives you a sense of where you are starting from.
FAQ
Can I learn padel without lessons? Yes, plenty of players start by just playing with friends. A few lessons still help you get the basics, like the grip and using the glass, right from the start; bad habits are harder to fix later.
Which racket should I start with? A control-oriented, round-headed and relatively light racket is usually easier for beginners. Many clubs rent rackets, so try a few models before buying your own.
How often should I play? There is no single right answer. Playing regularly usually helps more than occasional long sessions; find a rhythm that fits your schedule.
Should I play on the right or the left? Try both in your first months. Over time you will see where you feel more comfortable; most pairs decide based on each player's strongest shots.
In short
- Use a continental grip and the wrist strap, and bend your knees.
- Let the ball come off the glass; don't rush.
- Get to the net, learn the lob, and choose placement over power.
- Stay level with your partner and keep talking.
- Play with different people; social tournaments are the easiest way.
Start a tournament with friends
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