In short
The simplest padel strategy for beginners: keep the ball in play, lob when you are under pressure, and move up and back with your partner as a unit. Send most balls down the middle or low to your opponents' feet, and go for winners only from good positions near the net.
Updated
Why does consistency matter more than winners?
Because most beginner rallies end with a mistake, not a winner. LTA Padel's coaches start their match-tactics advice with the most basic rule: hit the ball over the net. You win none of the points in which you hit the net or the opponents' glass on the full, so simply keeping the ball in play changes your results immediately.
Make "one more ball" your first goal. Aim with margin: well over the net, away from the lines and the opponents' glass, and through the middle. Let your opponents be the ones who try something difficult.
Why should you hit down the middle?
The middle of the court is the safest target and often the most effective. The net is lowest there, you are far from the side walls, and two opponents may both go for the ball, or both leave it. LTA's coaches add that hitting down the middle forces opponents to return through the middle too, which narrows the angles you have to cover.
Agree with your partner who takes middle balls. A common rule is that the player whose forehand covers the center takes them, but any clear rule beats hesitation.
Why is the net the place to be?
The pair at the net usually controls the point. From there you can volley into open space, play at the opponents' feet, or angle the ball, while the pair at the back is defending. LTA's coaches compare a good net player to a goalkeeper coming off their line: you take away space and time.
Move forward whenever you get the chance: after a serve, after a lob that pushes the opponents back, or after a weak return. At the net, stand roughly two meters from it, not pressed against it, so you can still cover a lob. Keep your racket up in front of you, ready to volley.
How should partners move together?
Move as a unit: both up at the net or both back, side by side. When one partner stays back while the other goes forward, a big gap opens diagonally between you, and opponents aim at it. Think of yourselves as connected by a rope about three meters long.
Communicate constantly. LTA's coaches recommend calling "mine" or "yours" on every shared ball, then progressing to giving information, such as where the opponents are standing or what you are about to play. Encourage each other: teams that stay positive play better.
When should beginners lob?
Lob whenever the opponents are at the net and you are at the back under pressure. A high, deep lob landing past their service line pushes them back and lets your team move forward. It is the main way to swap roles from defense to attack. A hard drive at two net players mostly gives them an easy volley. See the padel lob for technique.
When you are lobbed at the net, start with the bandeja, a controlled overhead with slice that keeps you at the net, rather than a full smash.
Why should you use the glass instead of fighting it?
Many beginners try to hit every ball before it reaches the back glass, which leads to rushed, cramped shots. Letting deep or fast balls rebound off the glass gives you more time and a better contact point. LTA's beginner tips stress getting comfortable with the glass early. Stand a couple of steps in front of it, turn early, and hit the ball as it comes back toward the net. Our wall play guide explains how.
What should you hit from each position?
| Your position | Opponents | Good default |
|---|---|---|
| At the back, under pressure | At the net | High, deep lob |
| At the back, comfortable ball | At the net | Lob, or a low ball to their feet |
| At the back | At the back | Deep ball through the middle, then move up |
| At the net, easy ball | At the back | Firm volley deep or to a gap |
| At the net, low ball | Anywhere | Soft, controlled volley, not a hard one |
| At the net, lobbed | Moving forward | Bandeja deep, or retreat and play off the glass |
How should you serve and return?
On serve, aim deep in the box and consistently; avoid double faults. Then follow the serve forward to join your partner at the net. On return, the safest options are a lob over the net player or a low ball through the middle. Do not try to blast the return; the server's partner is already at the net waiting for it. The serve rules, including the fault when a serve hits the mesh after bouncing, are in padel serve rules.
What should beginners practice each week?
A simple plan for two or three sessions a week: start every session with a proper warm-up, spend fifteen minutes rallying through the middle with a target of ten-ball rallies, practice lobbing off feeds and following the lob to the net, and play points that start with one team at the net and one at the back, as in LTA's "two up, two back" drill. Book a lesson early: a coach fixes grip, swing length and positioning before habits set in.
Strategy sticks faster when you play regularly: use the padel near me finder to find beginner sessions, and choose a control racket from the best padel rackets for beginners.
Beginner padel strategy: frequently asked questions
What is the most important tactic in padel?
Controlling the net. The pair at the net usually wins the point, so most padel tactics are about getting there, mainly with lobs, and staying there with controlled volleys and bandejas.
Should beginners play aggressively?
Not from the back of the court. Play safe, consistent shots and save aggression for easy balls at the net.
Which side should a beginner play?
Many beginners start on the right side. The left side usually suits the partner with the stronger overhead, since they cover the middle with their forehand. Try both and agree who covers the middle.
How do I stop making errors?
Aim with more margin, use shorter swings, let difficult balls come off the glass, and stop going for winners from the back. Most errors come from trying too much.
Is it better to be at the net or at the back?
The net is the attacking position. The back is where you defend and wait for a chance to lob and move forward.
How important is communication in padel?
Very. Calling "mine" or "yours" prevents collisions and gaps in the middle, and encouraging your partner keeps the team playing well under pressure.
Sources
- LTA Padel, Padel match tactics for beginners, checked October 11, 2026.
- LTA Padel, Six padel tips for beginners and Master your lobs, checked October 11, 2026.
- LTA Padel, How to serve in padel, checked October 11, 2026.
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