Starting a new sport is always a learning curve, and padel is no exception. Although it’s accessible and fun, padel has unique tactics, movement patterns and habits that take time to master. Many beginners fall into the same traps that can hold them back from improving or enjoying the game. In this guide, we highlight five of the most common mistakes new padel players make, and how you can avoid them to play smarter, faster, and more confidently.
1. Trying to Play Padel Like Tennis
One of the biggest mistakes is treating padel like it’s just a smaller version of tennis. While the two sports share scoring and similar techniques, the tactics and rhythm are very different.
Why It’s a Problem
Tennis players are used to power, flat shots and dominating from the baseline. But in padel, control, precision, and strategic use of the walls are far more important. Power alone often sends the ball into the glass or out of play.
How to Avoid It
- Focus on control and placement rather than speed.
- Learn to use the walls defensively and offensively.
- Practise the bandeja and vibora, two soft overhead shots unique to padel.
- Stay patient in rallies instead of trying to hit winners too early.
2. Standing Too Close to the Net or Back Wall
Court positioning is everything in padel. Many new players either rush forward or stand too deep and end up caught out of position.
Why It’s a Problem
If you’re too close to the net, lobs will fly over your head. Too far back and you give up control of the court and can’t respond well to volleys or short balls.
How to Avoid It
- Work with your partner to maintain the right spacing between net and baseline.
- Move forward together when attacking and back together when defending.
- Hold the ‘no-man’s land’ (middle of the court) only briefly during transitions.
3. Ignoring Communication with Your Partner
Padel is a doubles game. Poor communication often leads to two players chasing the same ball or both leaving it.
Why It’s a Problem
Miscommunication can lead to missed opportunities, easy points for the opposition, and even collisions. A quiet pair will always lose out to a team that talks.
How to Avoid It
- Call “mine” or “yours” clearly on every 50/50 ball.
- Discuss tactics between points or games.
- Encourage each other throughout the match.
- Plan who takes lobs, middle balls, and smashes.
4. Forgetting to Use the Walls
New players often avoid using the walls, either because they’re not sure how or they assume it’s too difficult.
Why It’s a Problem
The walls are a huge tactical advantage. They give you more time to prepare your shots and open up smart angles. Avoiding them limits your options and hands initiative to your opponents.
How to Avoid It
- Practise letting the ball bounce off the wall before returning.
- Watch how experienced players use the back glass to reset points.
- Don’t panic when the ball comes close to the wall – stay relaxed and read the bounce.
- Use walls to slow the pace and recover control of the rally.
5. Smashing Too Often
It’s tempting to go for a big smash whenever the ball sits up, but in padel, reckless smashes often work against you.
Why It’s a Problem
Unless your timing and technique are perfect, hard smashes bounce off the back wall and come back into play for your opponent to counter. Worse, they can fly out of court and lose you the point.
How to Avoid It
- Only smash when you have space, balance, and your opponent is out of position.
- Learn the bandeja to control high balls without rushing.
- Mix up your overheads: not every lob needs to be punished.
- Stay calm and think tactically before going for power.
Final Thoughts
Every padel player starts somewhere, and making mistakes is part of the learning process. But by recognising these common pitfalls early and working to avoid them, you’ll develop better habits, improve your match IQ, and enjoy the game more. Focus on court positioning, communication, wall play and control, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a stronger, smarter padel player.
