5 Pádel Mistakes Every Beginner Makes (And How to Fix Them)

Quick Answer

The five mistakes that cost beginners the most points: standing too far back (give up the net and you give up the point), hitting too hard (placement beats power — 80% of points are errors, not winners), freezing at the glass walls (let the ball come off the glass, then hit), not talking to your partner (call every ball or leave gaps), and using the wrong grip (frying pan grip kills your net game — use continental).

Last updated: March 2026 · Common mistakes sourced from The Padel School, Padel Nuestro, and coaching data from Spain Padel Experiences.

1. Standing Too Far Back

The biggest one. Beginners camp near the back wall like they're playing tennis from the baseline. In pádel, the pair that controls the net wins roughly 70% of points.

The fix: Your default position is between the service line and the net. Move back when a deep lob pushes you, then get back to the net as soon as you can. The net is home.

2. Hitting Too Hard

Tennis players are the worst offenders. They step onto a pádel court and crush every ball.

Pádel rewards placement, not power. A soft shot to the right corner beats a rocket to the middle. About 80% of points in professional pádel end on errors, not clean winners. Reduce your errors and you'll win more points than the hardest hitter in the club.

The fix: Aim for targets, not speed. Place the ball where your opponents aren't. A lob over their heads, a drop shot at their feet, a ball into the side glass — all more effective than raw power.

3. Freezing at the Glass

The glass walls are what make pádel unique. They're also what confuses beginners the most.

When the ball bounces off the back glass, new players either freeze or swing wildly. Neither works.

The fix: Let the ball come off the glass first. Don't hit it on the way in — wait for the rebound. Track the ball, let it bounce off the glass, then hit it as it comes back toward the court. Start with slow feeds into the back glass and practice the timing.

4. Not Talking to Your Partner

Pádel is always doubles. Two people sharing 10 meters of width. Without communication, you'll both run for the same ball — or both leave the middle open.

The fix: Call "mine" or "yours" on every ball. Especially on lobs, middle balls, and anything near the center line. Decide who takes what before the match starts. When in doubt, the forehand player takes the middle ball.

5. Using the Wrong Grip

Many beginners hold the racket like a frying pan — palm flat under the handle. This is the western grip. It feels natural for forehands but destroys everything else.

Volleys become awkward. Bandejas are impossible. The serve feels wrong. The backhand is a disaster.

The fix: Switch to the continental grip from day one. V between thumb and index finger on top of the handle. It feels weird at first. Within three sessions, it'll feel natural — and every shot in your game will improve.