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Padel like any sport, comes with a steep learning curve for beginners. Throughout my padel journey, I’ve made every mistake in the book. But here’s the good news: if you’re aware of the most common padel mistakes, you can fix them fast and enjoy the game way more.
In this tutorial, I’m going to walk you through the top padel mistakes that almost every beginner makes (yep, including me), and how you can avoid them like a pro.
Gripping the Racket Wrong
One of the biggest padel mistakes I see (and made myself) is holding the racket the wrong way. It sounds simple, but if your grip is off, your shots will be too.
Fix: Learn the continental grip. It’s versatile, it works for volleys, serves, and smashes—and once you get used to it, it feels natural. The base of your index finger should be on the second bevel of the handle.
How to Use the Continental Grip
- Visualize a Hammer: Hold your racket in a manner similar to grasping a hammer.
- Hand Placement: Ensure that the base of your hand, where the wrist begins, is aligned with the bottom part of the racket.
- Thumb Orientation: Position your thumb flat against the back of the handle.
- Finger Arrangement: Wrap your fingers around the handle comfortably without excessive tightness, allowing for a slight gap between your fingers and palm for better flexibility.
- Key Point: The grip should feel instinctive, akin to preparing to drive a nail with your racket as if it were a hammer. This foundational grip is essential for executing most shots in padel effectively.
Standing Still on the Court
Good footwork is everything. One of the most common padel mistakes is just… standing around. You’re reacting instead of moving proactively.
Fix: Always stay on your toes with knees bent. Do ladder drills or court shadowing exercises to improve your movement and anticipation.
Power Over Control
Relying solely on power shots in padel is one of those common padel mistakes that can feel instinctively right but often leads to disappointing results. Players may feel confident smashing the ball, believing it will secure points, yet this approach frequently results in unforced errors and missed opportunities. Ultimately, a game built on power alone lacks the finesse needed to outsmart opponents and effectively control the court.
Fix: To elevate your game and avoid these padel mistakes, prioritize shot placement over sheer strength. By mixing in lobs, drop shots, and soft volleys, you can keep your opponent off balance and create more scoring opportunities. Emphasizing control allows you to dictate the pace of the match and enhances your overall effectiveness on the court.
Zero Communication with Your Partner
One of the biggest padel mistakes players make is treating the game like singles rather than embracing its true nature as a team sport. A lack of communication with your partner can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and ultimately, lost points. By neglecting to coordinate your movements and strategies, you not only hinder your own performance but also compromise your partner’s effectiveness on the court.
Fix: To avoid these communication-related padel mistakes, implement hand signals or verbal cues to indicate your intentions during the match. This will help establish a rhythm and foster trust between you and your partner, allowing for more seamless teamwork. By actively communicating, you can create a more cohesive strategy and improve your chances of winning as a team.
A Sloppy Serve
One of the most common padel mistakes, especially among beginners, is executing a sloppy serve that lacks precision and control. A poor serve can set the tone for the entire point, giving your opponent an easy opportunity to attack and gain the upper hand. Rather than focusing solely on power or spin, it’s crucial to recognize that a well-placed serve can significantly impact your game.
Fix: To improve your serving and avoid these padel mistakes, prioritize accuracy and depth over spin and power. By focusing on placing your serve in challenging areas of the service box, you can keep your opponent on their toes and make it difficult for them to return the ball effectively. Developing a reliable serve based on precision will not only enhance your overall performance but also set a strong foundation for your game.
For more information on Padel Service, please read the Article – Best Padel Serve Techniques
Playing from “No Man’s Land”
One of the biggest padel mistakes players make is positioning themselves in the dreaded “No Man’s Land,” a zone on the court that is too far to volley effectively and too close to defend against powerful shots. When you linger in this awkward space, you compromise your ability to react to your opponent’s shots and often find yourself caught off guard. This indecisive positioning can lead to missed opportunities and easy points for your opponent.
Fix: To avoid these costly padel mistakes, make a conscious effort to either advance all the way up to the net or retreat to the baseline. By committing to one of these positions, you can maximize your effectiveness on the court—either putting pressure on your opponent with volleys or preparing to defend against their shots from a safe distance. This strategic movement will enhance your overall game and help you maintain control during rallies.
Smashing at the Wrong Time
One of the most common padel mistakes players make is attempting to smash every ball that comes their way, which often turns potential winners into easy giveaways. This impulsive approach can lead to unforced errors, as players may find themselves out of position or off balance when executing a smash. Instead of securing points, these reckless attempts can hand the advantage back to your opponent.
Fix: To avoid these costly padel mistakes, focus on smashing only when you are balanced and in the right position on the court. Assess the situation carefully and ensure you have the necessary momentum and control before going for a smash. By being selective and strategic about when to execute this powerful shot, you’ll increase your chances of success and maintain better overall control during the match.
Playing Without a Game Plan
One of the most avoidable padel mistakes players make is stepping onto the court without a clear game plan, relying solely on the instinct to “hit it back.” This lack of strategy can lead to disorganized play, making it easy for your opponents to anticipate your moves and exploit your weaknesses. Without a thoughtful approach, you risk missing opportunities to capitalize on your strengths and effectively counter your opponent’s tactics.
Fix: To overcome these padel mistakes, develop a game plan that includes learning to read your opponents and understanding their tendencies. By observing their strengths and weaknesses during the match, you can adapt your strategy accordingly and make more informed shot selections. Additionally, focus on playing to your own strengths, whether that’s your powerful serve, precise volleys, or strategic positioning, to create a more effective and cohesive game plan.
Skipping Practice and Feedback
One of the most common padel mistakes players make is attempting to improve their game without committing to regular practice and seeking feedback. This oversight can lead to stagnation in skill development, as players miss out on the opportunity to refine their techniques and address weaknesses. Without consistent practice, it becomes challenging to build muscle memory and confidence on the court.
Fix: To avoid these pitfalls, prioritize playing regularly and actively seek feedback from coaches or experienced players. Engaging in consistent practice sessions allows you to hone your skills and experiment with different strategies in a supportive environment. Additionally, constructive feedback can provide valuable insights that help you identify areas for improvement and accelerate your growth as a padel player.
You will need regular practice, hit on the walls and watch matches of professionals. Read this Article – How to play Padel Tennis.
Not Equipping Yourself with the Right Padel Gear
One of the most overlooked padel mistakes—especially among beginners—is using the wrong gear. I get it… when you’re starting out, any racket and a pair of sneakers seem good enough. But the wrong equipment doesn’t just hurt your performance—it can literally hurt you.
Using a tennis racket or generic sports shoes might feel cost-effective, but padel is a unique sport with specific gear needs. Rackets not built for padel lack the control and comfort required, increasing your risk of wrist or elbow injuries. And wearing running shoes instead of court shoes? That’s a sprained ankle waiting to happen.
Fix:
- Invest in a proper padel racket designed for your skill level. Soft core for beginners, hybrid or harder core for intermediate and advanced.
- Always wear padel or court shoes with lateral support and a good grip to prevent sliding or over-rotation.
- Don’t forget protective accessories like wristbands, grips, and sweatbands to improve comfort and absorb shock.
Read the Article – Choosing the right Padel Equipment.
Forgetting to Warm Up
Skipping warm-ups is one of the most dangerous padel mistakes you can make.
Fix: Do dynamic warm-ups before and static stretches after.
Mistakes are part of the journey—but the faster you recognize and correct these padel mistakes, the more fun (and fewer losses) you’ll have. I’ve learned these the hard way, but you don’t have to. Use this guide as your playbook, and keep leveling up your padel game.
See you on the court!
Do you want to improve your Padel Game Plan? For additional insight of the sport and any Padel advice, keep your eyes peeled at PadelGamePlan.com!
FAQ – PADEL IMPROVEMENT
How to get better at padel?
You will need regular practice, hit on the walls and watch matches of professionals. Read this Article – How to play Padel Tennis.
How can I improve my Service?
For more information on Padel Service, please read the Article – Best Padel Serve Techniques
Can I know more about the Rules of Padel Tennis?
Absolutely, for a beginner-friendly explanation of the Rules of Padel Tennis, please have a look at the Article – Rules of Padel Tennis. For Official Rules, please download the official rules of Internatlonal Padel Federation here.
FAQ – PADEL EQUIPMENT
Do I need special padel tennis attire?
Please read the Article – Top Padel Clothing Essentials.
Do you have a checklist of padel tennis essentials I’ll need?
Could you recommend which padel balls I should use?
Please read the Article – Best Padel Balls.
Planning a Padel Tournament?
Use our Free Tool and get the schedule in seconds.
FAQ – PADEL FOR CHILDREN
At what age should children start Padel Tennis for children?
Children as young as 4 can start out with foam balls and mini-rackets. The majority of clubs are for ages 5–15.
How does padel improve teamwork in kids?
Doubles requires constant communication and mutual strategies; collaboration is natural.
Can padel help academically?
Doubles requires constant communication and mutual strategies; collaboration is natural.
What is a good reason why padel is safer than tennis for little kids?
Enclosed courts, slower balls, and lighter gear reduce injury risks significantly.
Is there any competitive padel opportunity for kids?
Absolutely! Try to look for Junior leagues that offer Padel tournaments for under-12 and teen divisions. the positive impact of padel tennis on children
FAQ – PADEL TENNIS COURT
Is it possible to erect a padel court in my garden?
Installation is possible with a minimum area of 10m × 20m, subject to local zoning approval. For more information, Read this Article.
How much the cost of a padel court?
A typical padel court can range from AED 335,000 to AED 1,113,000, depending on materials, location and amenities. See the full cost breakdown here: Article – How much does it cost to build a padel court.
What about lighting required for the padel court – what advice can you give on that?
Please have a read through on the Article – Essential Padel Lighting Tips.
