The Complete Beginner’s Guide – Part 2
If you’ve read Part 1 of this beginner series, (How to Get Started Playing Padel: The Complete Beginner’s Guide Part 1) you already understand what padel is, how the court works, and why this sport has captured the attention of players all over the world. Now comes the really fun part — actually learning how to play.
In this second article, we’re going to bridge the gap between understanding padel and playing padel. We’ll walk through how points unfold, the core shots every beginner should focus on first, and the simple tactical ideas that will instantly make you a better player — even if it’s only your second or third time on court.
You don’t need to memorise dozens of techniques or learn advanced tactics yet. Padel rewards patience and positioning far more than flashy winners, and the basics will take you surprisingly far. Master these foundations and you’ll enjoy longer rallies, win more points, and feel confident stepping onto any padel court.
How a Padel Point Actually Unfolds
One of the reasons padel is so beginner-friendly is how logical the flow of a rally feels once you’ve played a few points.
Everything starts with the serve. The server must hit the ball underarm after letting it bounce, aiming diagonally into the opposite service box. The returner usually allows the ball to bounce before hitting it back — often deep toward the server’s side of the court.
From that moment on, the point becomes a rally where both teams try to gain control of space, height, and positioning. The ball must always bounce on your opponent’s side before touching a wall, but once it does, the walls are fully in play. This creates longer rallies and far more decision-making than you might expect from a first glance.
As a beginner, your goal during rallies is not to hit winners. It’s to keep the ball in play, stay balanced, and give yourself time to react. Most points at beginner level are won because someone makes an error — not because someone hits an unstoppable shot.
The Key Padel Shots Every Beginner Should Learn First
Padel has its own unique vocabulary of shots, but you don’t need all of them right away. A small handful of shots will cover the majority of situations you’ll face in your first few months.
The Forehand and Backhand Groundstrokes
These are your bread-and-butter shots. Played after the ball bounces on your side of the court, forehands and backhands should be controlled and consistent rather than aggressive.
As a beginner, focus on hitting with a compact swing, keeping the ball fairly low over the net, and aiming safely inside the court rather than close to the lines. The walls mean you don’t need pace — height and placement are far more valuable.
The Volley
Because padel is played on a smaller court, you’ll spend a lot of time near the net. Volleys are short, controlled shots taken before the ball bounces, and they’re one of the most important tools in padel.
Beginner tip: think block, not swing. A firm wrist and gentle push is usually all you need. Overhitting volleys is one of the most common early mistakes.
The Lob: Your Best Friend as a Beginner
If there’s one shot every new padel player should embrace, it’s the lob.
A good lob lifts the ball high over your opponents and forces them back toward the glass. This buys you time, helps you escape pressure, and often resets the point in your favour. Even professional padel players rely heavily on lobs — it’s not a “defensive” shot, it’s a smart one.
When in doubt, lob.
Playing Off the Glass
At first, letting the ball hit the back wall feels unnatural. Instinct tells you to rush forward and hit the ball before it reaches the glass. Resist that urge.
Allowing the ball to rebound off the glass gives you more time, a better contact point, and often a more controlled return. Learning to trust the wall is a major breakthrough moment for beginners — and once it clicks, padel becomes far less stressful.
Understanding Positioning: Where Beginners Win or Lose Points
In padel, where you stand is often more important than how hard you hit the ball.
The Net Is the Place to Be (Eventually)
Teams that control the net usually control the point. From the net, you can volley, apply pressure, and cut off angles. But rushing the net too early can be dangerous.
As beginners, the goal is to earn your way to the net. Use lobs and deep shots to push your opponents back, then move forward together as a pair.
Move as a Team
Padel is always played in doubles, and your positioning should mirror your partner’s. If one of you moves forward, the other should too. If one moves back, both move back.
Staying side-by-side prevents gaps and makes defending much easier. Many beginner points are lost simply because partners drift too far apart.
Simple Padel Strategy That Works Immediately
You don’t need complex tactics to improve quickly. A few simple ideas will dramatically change how effective you are on court.
Play Safer Than You Think You Should
Padel courts may look small, but trying to hit close to the lines is risky. Aim for large targets, use height, and prioritise consistency.
If you keep the ball in play for one extra shot each rally, you’ll win more points almost automatically.
Use Height to Create Time
Low shots feel aggressive, but high shots are often smarter. High balls push opponents back, reduce their attacking options, and give you time to recover your position.
This is especially important when you’re under pressure or out of position.
Patience Beats Power
Padel rewards calm decision-making. Rallies often last longer than expected, and forcing the issue too early usually backfires.
Wait for a genuine opportunity — a short ball, a weak return, or an opponent out of position — rather than trying to manufacture a winner.
Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Every new padel player makes the same mistakes. The good news? Once you’re aware of them, they’re easy to fix.
Many beginners overhit the ball, forgetting that the walls keep rallies alive. Others rush the net without a plan, or panic when the ball goes behind them to the glass.
The simplest cure is slowing down mentally. Take a breath between points. Reset your position. Trust that padel gives you more time than tennis — and use it.
How Long Does It Take to Feel Comfortable Playing Padel?
Most players feel functional within their first session and genuinely comfortable within a handful of games. That’s one of padel’s greatest strengths.
You don’t need months of lessons before enjoying competitive rallies. Each game teaches you something new, and improvement comes naturally just by playing.
What’s Next: Equipment and Getting Match-Ready
At this point, you understand how padel points unfold, the shots that matter most, and the basic strategies that will help you improve quickly. You’re already well ahead of where most beginners start.
In Part 3 of this beginner series, we’ll cover the final piece of the puzzle: equipment. We’ll break down what gear actually matters for beginners, how to choose the right racket shape, whether padel shoes are really necessary, and how to avoid wasting money on things you don’t need yet.
👉 Next up: Padel Equipment for Beginners — What You Need and Why It Matters
Once you’ve finished the full series, you’ll have everything you need to walk onto court feeling prepared, confident, and ready to enjoy your padel life.
