Helpful padel tips for beginning padel players!

Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and more and more people are taking to the court to discover the game. But how do you ensure you get off to a flying start? Here are 10 important padel tips for beginners!

1. Choose the right padel racket

Choosing the right padel racket is extremely important as a beginner, because it determines how easily you hit the ball and how much control you have. With a light and easy-to-play padel racket, you will learn the right technique faster and build confidence. So choose wisely, so that you can play well from the start and improve your skills quickly!

In our webshop, you can easily filter for beginner padel rackets. You will find a special selection of rackets for your padel level from each brand. When looking at the shapes of padel rackets, a round padel racket is most suitable for beginners. This shape ensures that the balance is in the middle, which offers more control.

Avoid heavy and diamond-shaped rackets when you are just starting out with padel. It is more difficult to master the game because these rackets require more technique.

2. Use the padel grip correctly

A good grip is essential for a good stroke and better ball feel. Hold the racket as if you were holding a hammer. This ensures that you can hit both forehand and backhand well without having to constantly adjust your grip.

3. Learn the basic rules of padel

Padel has some unique rules. Here are the most important ones:

1. The ball may only bounce once.
2. A ball is OUT if it hits the glass wall or fence directly.
3. A ball is IN if it hits the glass wall after bouncing.
4. A ball is IN if it hits the fence after bouncing (except on serve).
5. On serve, the ball must bounce diagonally within the lines of the box.
6. If the ball lands in the correct box on serve and touches one of the lines, the ball is IN.
7. If the ball hits the fence after bouncing on serve, it is OUT.
8. If the ball hits the glass wall after bouncing during the serve, it is IN.

4. Play with a relaxed posture

Balance and control are the keys to success in padel. Stand with your knees slightly bent so you can move smoothly across the court. Playing too tensely will cause you to lose control.

5. Make smart use of the walls

The walls are your friend! A handy rule of thumb: does the ball bounce at your feet when you are in a defensive position? Let it go via the glass wall, this gives you more time to hit a good ball.

6. Know the basic positions on the court

7. Learn the tactics of the game

Padel is all about attacking and defending:

The serving side is on the offensive and tries to maintain the net position.

The receivers play defensively and try to take over the net position with a lob or a low ball (chiquita).

From the net position, you can put pressure on your opponent and ultimately win the point.

8. Focus on consistency, not power

Padel is a game of patience. Instead of hitting the ball hard, focus on placement and control. By being patient, you will have the opportunity to score the point. Don't rush, but wait for the right moment.

9. Communicate with your partner

Padel is a doubles game, so communication is crucial:

Shout ‘ME!’ when you take/play the ball and ‘YOU!’ when your partner is best placed to play the ball. This can happen when your opponent plays the ball right in the middle of the court.

Rule of thumb: a ball in the middle is for the player standing in the middle with their forehand.

10. Be patient and enjoy the game

You learn padel by playing a lot. It makes sense that you won't master all the strokes right away. Make sure you have fun and stay motivated. Step onto the court with a smile every time!