Technique & training
Padel positioning and strategy
Most club points are lost by being in the wrong place, not by hitting the wrong shot. Here is where to stand and why.
Padel is a game of position disguised as a game of shots. Two players who understand where to stand will beat two better strikers of the ball more often than anyone likes to admit.
Rule one: the net wins
The pair at the net wins the large majority of points. That is the whole strategic picture in one sentence. Everything else is about how to get there and how to stay there.
- When you serve, move to the net immediately.
- When you return, lob and follow it in.
- When you are at the net, avoid the shot that sends you back — that is why the bandeja exists.
Rule two: move as one
Imagine a rope three metres long tying you to your partner. If they go forwards, you go forwards. If they are pulled wide right, you slide right too, covering the middle rather than guarding your own tramline.
Rule three: play the middle
The middle of the court creates hesitation between two opponents, takes away their angles, and is the safest target because the net is lowest there. Down-the-line winners look great and go out.
Rule four: patience beats power
A padel point is a negotiation. Neutral balls, deep and low, until the other pair gives you a short one. Trying to end a point from a defensive position is how club players lose sets they were winning.
Choosing sides
| Side | Suits a player who | Main job |
|---|---|---|
| Right (deuce) | Is consistent and reads the game | Build the point, cover the middle |
| Left (advantage) | Has a stronger overhead and likes to finish | Take the middle balls and close points |
In practice, put the player with the better smash on the left and the steadier player on the right, and stick with it. Swapping sides every match is how pairs stay average.
Three tactics that work immediately
- Lob more than feels comfortable. Most club pairs have no answer to a deep lob.
- Aim at the feet of the net player, not past them. Half-volleys are hard for everyone.
- Serve to the glass. A serve that dies in the corner buys you the time to reach the net.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you stand in padel?
Both players at the net whenever possible, roughly two metres back from it, moving together and covering the middle rather than the tramlines.
Which side should I play, left or right?
Play the right if you are the more consistent player and build points. Play the left if you have a stronger overhead and prefer to finish points.
Why do I keep losing points at the net?
Usually because your volleys are too high, or because you and your partner are at different depths. Aim low and deep, and move as a pair.