Padel Strategy 101: Smart Doubles Play for Beginners

The Net is Your Friend

The team at the net controls padel points. Your goal is to move forward together and dominate the net position. Teams that stay back at the baseline usually lose.

Move as a Unit

You and your partner should move together, maintaining consistent spacing side-to-side. If one player moves forward, both move forward. If one goes back, both go back.

• Stay 6-8 feet apart side to side
• Move forward and back together
• Never leave large gaps between you
• Communicate constantly

The Serve Strategy

Serve deep and to the center or backhand. Follow your serve to the net if possible, but don't rush if your serve isn't forcing a weak return. The key is serving smart, not hard.

Return Position

When returning serve, stand deeper than you would in tennis. Let the ball bounce and focus on returning deep or at the feet of the net player. Don't try for winners - just get the ball back deep.

Net Play Basics

At the net, aim for your opponents' feet or hit angled volleys that die in the corners. Avoid hitting hard volleys directly at players - they'll just block it back. Placement beats power in padel.

Using the Walls

When you're pushed back, use the back wall to extend points. Let balls bounce off the back glass and play them back deep. This gives you time to return to good court position.