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How to Play Padel: From the Basics to Professional Preparation
Padel is a dynamic racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is played in doubles on a smaller court surrounded by walls, using a perforated racket without strings. Thanks to its simple rules, padel is ideal for beginners, while still offering plenty of room for technical and tactical development. Below you'll find an overview that takes you from the very basics through training all the way to professional preparation—so you can improve step by step.
Padel Basics: Court, Equipment, and Rules
Padel is played on a court measuring approximately 10 × 20 meters, divided into two halves by a net. The back and side walls are part of the game, similar to squash. You need a special padel racket, balls similar to tennis balls, and comfortable sports shoes with good traction. The basic rule is simple: the ball may bounce once on the ground, then it can hit the wall, and only after that may you return it. The serve is played underhand, and matches are usually played as best of three sets, similar to tennis.
Grip and Basic Strokes
The most commonly used grip in padel is the continental grip, where you hold the racket similarly to a hammer. This grip allows you to play both forehand and backhand shots without significantly changing your hand position. Basic strokes include the forehand, backhand, net volley, lob, and smash. Beginners should focus mainly on ball control, proper footwork, and a timely backswing. It's important to maintain a low center of gravity, stay ready in a slight squat, and quickly return to a neutral position near the center of the court after each shot.
Beginner Training: Step by Step
At the beginning, focus on simple drills without pressure on the result. Practice rallies from the baseline, sending the ball back and forth with your partner at a slow pace and trying to keep it in play for as long as possible.Gradually add net drills, volley practice, and simple lobs. Training with a coach is also very useful—a coach can feed balls from a basket and correct your technique. Don't forget a proper warm-up and shoulder and wrist mobility work to help prevent injuries.
Advanced Training: Tactics and Playing off the Walls
Once you've mastered the basics, start focusing on working with the walls. Learn to read the ball's rebound off the glass and use it to your advantage in both defense and attack. Advanced training includes shot combinations, transitions from defense to offense, proper positioning of the pair on the court, and communication with your partner. An important part of this stage is also practicing specific padel shots such as the bandeja, víbora, and an aggressive smash. These shots allow you to keep pressure on your opponents and finish rallies effectively.
Physical Preparation and Conditioning for Padel
Professional padel preparation includes systematic physical conditioning. Focus on foot speed, explosiveness, core stability, and endurance. Suitable training methods include interval running, agility ladder drills, strength training for the legs and core, and balance exercises. Don't skip stretching and recovery, such as light jogging, foam rolling, and getting enough sleep. Good physical fitness allows you to maintain a high tempo throughout the entire match and reduces the risk of injuries during sudden changes of direction.
Mental and Tournament Preparation
At a higher level, mental strength and the ability to handle pressure become crucial. Work on your concentration, develop a pre-serve routine, and maintain positive communication with your partner. Before a tournament, set realistic goals, prepare tactics for different types of opponents, and analyze your strengths and weaknesses. After matches, make short notes about what worked well and what needs improvement. Combining technical, physical, and mental training will help you progress from a recreational level to semi-professional or professional play.
