The Grip and Ready Position
Continental grip
Most players use one grip for every shot: the continental grip. Hold the racket as if you were holding a hammer, with the base knuckle of your index finger on the top bevel of the handle. It lets you hit forehands, backhands, volleys and overheads without changing grip — vital in a fast doubles game.
Hold the racket lightly. A tight grip costs you touch and tires your arm.
Ready position
- Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet.
- Racket up and in front of you, at about chest height.
- Split-step (a small hop) as your opponent hits, so you can push off in any direction.
The Essential Shots
Groundstrokes
Forehands and backhands hit after the bounce. Use a compact swing — much shorter than in tennis — and focus on placement and keeping the ball low. Big swings send the ball off the back glass and give your opponents an easy volley.
Volley
Hit before the ball bounces, usually close to the net. Use a short punch with a firm wrist and the racket face slightly open. At the net, aim low and to the feet of your opponents, or deep into the middle between them.
Lob (globo)
The most important shot in padel. A high, deep lob over the net players forces them back and lets your team take the net. Aim for it to land close to the back wall so it's hard to smash.
Bandeja
A controlled overhead hit with slice, used when an opponent lobs you but you're not in a position to smash. Hit the ball at about head height to the side of your body, with a slicing motion that keeps it low after it bounces. The goal is to keep the net, not to win the point.
Víbora
A more aggressive version of the bandeja, with more side spin and pace. The ball skids low off the side glass and is hard to return. Learn the bandeja first.
Smash
The full overhead. A flat smash hit hard enough can bounce out of the court over the back wall (often called por tres, "x3"). Only smash when you're well positioned — a smash that comes back off the glass leaves you exposed.
Chiquita
A soft, low ball aimed at the feet of opponents at the net, usually hit from the back of the court. It forces them to volley upward, giving your team the chance to move forward.
Playing Off the Glass
Using the walls is the key skill in padel.
- Let it come off the back glass. Beginners rush to hit the ball before it reaches the glass. Instead, let a deep ball bounce, hit the back wall and come to you — you'll have more time and a better contact point.
- Turn your side to the glass. Move back with your shoulders turned so you can see the ball and the wall at the same time.
- Watch the angle. A ball that bounces close to the wall comes off steeply; one that bounces further out comes off higher and slower.
- Side glass. Balls into the corner hit the back and side walls. Stay patient and wait for them to come out.
- Use your own glass when you're stuck. If you can't reach the ball in front of you, hit it into your own back glass (contrapared) so it rebounds over the net.
Doubles Strategy
Win the net
Most points in padel are won by the team at the net. Your goal is to get there and stay there. Lobs, chiquitas and good returns are all ways to move forward.
Move as a pair
Imagine you and your partner are connected by a rope about 3 m long. Move forward together, back together and slide sideways together. Leaving a big gap in the middle is the easiest way to lose a point.
Left and right sides
- The right side (forehand side) player is often the more consistent player, building the point.
- The left side (backhand side) player is often the stronger overhead player, as their forehand covers the middle and they finish more points.
The middle ball
Agree who takes balls down the middle. A common rule: the player whose forehand is in the middle takes it.
Talk constantly
Call "mine", "yours", "back" and "switch". Good communication wins more points than good shots.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Hitting too hard. Padel rewards placement and patience. Power usually sends the ball off the glass and back to your opponents.
- Hitting before the glass. Let the ball come off the wall.
- Standing in no man's land. Be either at the net or near the back, not halfway between.
- Smashing everything. Use the bandeja to keep the net; save the smash for easy balls.
- Leaving the middle open. Move as a pair.
- Gripping too tight. Relax your hand for touch and to protect your elbow.
Staying Injury-Free
- Warm up with light jogging, side shuffles and arm circles before you play.
- Wear padel shoes. A herringbone or clay-style sole grips sand-filled artificial grass; running shoes slip and lack lateral support. See our shoe guide.
- Use the right racket. A softer, round racket is kinder to your elbow while you learn. See our racket guide.
- Stretch after playing, especially calves, hamstrings, hips and shoulders.