Welcome to the wonderful and slightly addictive world of padel, the worlds fastest growing sport. As a padel newbie I made every common mistake and most of the uncommon mistakes under the sun. As such I feel like I am well and truly qualified to pen an article about some of the more common mistakes that beginners can often make. In this article we will identify some of these more common mistakes beginners make and give you our best advice and tips on how you can neatly sidestep them to help you progress on your padel journey.
The Death Grip and the Frozen Arm: Relax, Padawan!
You’re nervous, you’ve only just started playing and you’re trying to peel off winners forehand and backhand, and suddenly your hand’s a vice and your arm is locked into place like a plank of wood or what is commonly known as the “death grip” and the “frozen arm.”
Holding the racket overly tightly and becoming over rigid with your racket arm is one of the common mistakes novice players make when they first start which is primarily caused by trying too hard. It’s intuitive to think that holding the racket more tightly and controlling your swinging arm more rigidly will help you have more control over your shots and impart more power on the ball. However, what it does do is kill your fluidity, make controlling your shots exceedingly difficult, reduce your feel of the ball and likely give you some kind of wrist injury if it continues for too long.
Loosen that Grip and Shadow Swing
So to try and counter your best impression of a robot on the court what can we do? Before you start playing take some deep breaths and picture some silky smooth swings where you are effortlessly holding onto your racket. During play, do a grip check between points – are you holding that racket like it owes you money? Loosen that grip up so that while you still have a good hold on it you’re not suffocating it, like you’re holding something valuable but also fragile. Shadow swings (yep you’re going to be that person) and hitting against a wall while focusing on keeping a light grip and fluid stroke can also really help. Keep your mind on feeling the swing, and use some positive self-talk to remind yourself to relax.
The Power Problem: Control Over Chaos
A very common pitfall for padel beginners is the tendency to consistently over hit the ball. This often stems from a background in other racket sports, like tennis, where raw power is frequently rewarded. Padel, however, is a game of control and placement. Overhitting leads to unforced errors, as the ball rockets past the court boundaries or into the net. Even worse, an over hit shot that rebounds off the back wall can set up an easy put-away for your opponent.
Strategy and Finesse over Power
Instead of focusing on brute force, beginners should prioritize developing a smooth, controlled swing. Understanding that padel is a game of building points and using the walls, and the opponent’s positioning, to your advantage is key. Learning to moderate power, and focus on precision and placement, will drastically improve consistency and overall gameplay. Remember, in padel, strategy and finesse often trump sheer power which is part of its charm.
Stuck on the Baseline
Alright, baseline buddies, time to break free! It’s super common for newbies to get glued back on the baseline, like they’re waiting for a bus that never comes. Beginners seem more comfortable back there because it gives them longer to react to shots and it can feel like a safer spot to play from when you first start out. Not only that, but as a beginner, it can be hard to know when is the right time to move forward and you may not be confident in your volleying ability.
Power of the Net
This approach, while understandable, ignores the net’s strategic importance. Let’s be clear, the net is where points are won. It’s a power and control position that often forces your opponents into defensive lobs and awkward returns, putting them under immense pressure.
To break this habit, practice transition shots that push opponents back, creating opportunities to advance. Lobs and shots into open court can also force opponents into awkward positions, allowing you to move forward. Remember, by controlling the net, you dictate the point, forcing errors and weak returns.
Communication is Key
Communication with your partner is key so you’re both on the same page. Practicing net and volleying drills to improve reaction times and become comfortable and confident in your volleying ability will go a long way to assisting how comfortable you feel when you get to the net. Remember the net is your gateway to padel dominance, so embrace it! If your volleying skills need a little, or a lot of work, then we have you covered with our volleying training guide “How to Master the Padel Volley: Complete Training Guide“. This guide explains the different types of volleys, when and how to play them, common mistakes and some training drills to help you improve.
Ball Watching and Partner Neglect: The Padel Partnership Dance
It’s easy to get tunnel vision in padel, isn’t it? That little yellow ball becomes the sole object of your universe, and suddenly, your partner might as well be a spectator. This ‘ball watching’ phenomenon is a common trap, especially for beginners. You’re so intent on tracking the ball’s trajectory that you completely lose awareness of your partner’s movements and your own positioning. As a result you either get tangled up going for the same ball, both leave the ball expecting your partner to hit it, or are both crowding one part of the court so you leave gaping holes for your opponents to hit winners into. As a starting point to help you learn the basics about court positioning check out our beginners guide “How to Master Padel Court Positioning: A Beginner’s Guide.”
That Communication Chestnut Again
Effective communication is the antidote to this. Call out shots, let your partner know where you’re moving, and anticipate their movements. A simple ‘mine,’ ‘yours,’ or ‘back’ can make all the difference. Practice drills that emphasize court coverage and partner coordination. Imagine yourselves as a synchronized team, moving in unison, covering all angles, and creating a formidable defensive wall. Remember, a strong partnership isn’t just about hitting great shots; it’s about understanding and supporting each other on every point.
Over-Complication and Under-Practice: Building Your Padel Foundation
Padel, like any skill, requires a solid foundation. Many beginners fall into the trap of trying to learn every advanced shot and complex tactic right from the start. They see the pros executing incredible and intricate shots and want to give it a go. But attempting to master these techniques without first mastering the basics is like trying to build a house without laying the foundation. It leads to frustration, inconsistent play, and ultimately, slower progress.
Equally detrimental is the lack of consistent practice. Padel isn’t something you can pick up overnight. It requires muscle memory, coordination, and a deep understanding of court dynamics. Instead of trying to cram every shot into your repertoire, focus on mastering the essentials: the forehand, backhand, volley, and lob. Check out our beginners guide to training your standard shots “How to Improve Basic Padel Shots: A Beginners Guide“
Practice these basic shots repeatedly, focusing on proper technique and consistency. Wall drills, partner feeding sessions, and structured lessons with a coach can be invaluable tools. Be patient with yourself. Progress takes time, and there will be ups and downs. Celebrate small victories, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember, building a strong foundation of basic skills will ultimately pave the way for more advanced techniques and a more enjoyable and successful padel journey.
Look, padel is a blast, but it takes time and patience to progress and improve. You wont avoid all these mistakes and many more that exist as you learn and develop within the sport. Making some mistakes along with the way is part of the journey and can be part of the fun, especially when you look back on them. Hopefully today we have helped yo identify some of these common pitfalls and given you some ideas of how to avoid them. For more great training and strategy tips check out our “Playing Padel” page. Most importantly though padel isn’t about being scared of making mistakes it’s about embracing the process and journey and appreciating the fun along the way.
