10 Common Padel Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)
Avoid the most common padel mistakes beginners make. Learn how to fix positioning errors, serve problems, wall play mistakes, and doubles strategy fails. Start winning more matches today.
10 Common Padel Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)
Starting padel is exciting, but most beginners make the same mistakes that cost them points and slow their progress. The good news? Once you know what to look for, these mistakes are easy to fix.
Here are the 10 most common padel mistakes beginners make - and exactly how to correct them.
1. Standing Too Deep in the Court
The Mistake:
Most beginners position themselves too far back, near the baseline or even touching the back wall. This gives up space and forces you to react instead of attack.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Longer distance to cover for drop shots
- Less time to react to opponent’s volleys
- Defensive positioning = losing position
- Harder to control the net
The Fix:
- Ideal position: 2-3 meters from the net when attacking
- After serving: Move forward immediately
- After returning: Push toward the net if you hit a good return
- Think zones: Back third = defense, middle = transition, front third = attack
Pro Tip: Watch the ball, not the opponent. If they’re defending from the back, you should be at the net.
2. Not Moving Together with Your Partner
The Mistake:
One player rushes to the net while their partner stays back, creating a huge gap in the middle. This is the #1 doubles mistake.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Opponents will hit straight down the middle
- Creates easy passing shots
- Poor court coverage
- Confusing who takes which ball
The Fix:
- Move as one unit: Imagine you’re connected by a 2-meter rope
- Lateral movement: Shift left/right together
- Forward/back: Advance and retreat as a pair
- Communication: Call “mine!” or “yours!” loudly
Practice Drill: Stand at the net with your partner. One of you takes one step forward - the other must follow immediately. Repeat moving backward, left, and right.
3. Hitting Every Ball Hard
The Mistake:
Beginners often try to smash every ball as hard as possible, thinking power = points. This leads to more errors than winners.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Low control = high error rate
- Balls hit out or into the net
- Opponents read power shots easily
- Uses too much energy
- Walls absorb power and send balls back
The Fix:
- 80% of shots: Focus on placement, not power
- Use speed: Aim for opponents’ feet or weak positions
- Vary pace: Mix slow drop shots with harder drives
- Smash only: High balls near the net with good positioning
Pro Tip: A slow ball to the right spot beats a fast ball to the wrong spot. Every. Single. Time.
4. Ignoring the Walls
The Mistake:
New players either ignore wall rebounds completely (letting the ball bounce twice) or panic when the ball goes near a wall.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Walls are 30% of padel strategy
- Missing easy shots off the back wall
- Not using walls to create angles
- Wasting defensive opportunities
The Fix:
- Back wall bounce: Let the ball come off the back wall before hitting
- Practice patience: Wait for the ball to come to you
- Side walls: Use them to change angles and surprise opponents
- Watch spin: Topspin rises off the wall, slice drops
Practice Drill: Hit 20 balls against the back wall, letting each one bounce back to you. Get comfortable with timing.
5. Poor Serve Technique
The Mistake:
Beginners often serve too hard, too high, or don’t follow through. Many also forget to move forward after serving.
Why It’s Wrong:
- High serves = easy smashes for opponents
- Faults waste opportunities
- Staying back after serve = defensive position
- Predictable serves are easy to attack
The Fix:
- Bounce first: Let ball bounce, hit at waist height or below
- Diagonal and deep: Aim for the back corner of the service box
- Low and controlled: Keep serves low over the net
- Follow your serve: Move forward immediately after serving
- Add spin: Slice serves are harder to attack
Legal Serve Checklist:
- One foot behind service line
- Ball bounces once before you hit it
- Contact below waist height
- Diagonal into opponent’s service box
6. Not Watching the Ball
The Mistake:
Looking at where you want to hit instead of watching the ball all the way to your racket.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Mis-hits and errors
- Poor timing
- Weak contact point
- Reduced control
The Fix:
- Eyes on the ball: From opponent’s racket to your racket
- Head still: Keep your head steady through contact
- Follow through: Watch the ball even after you’ve hit it
- Peripheral vision: You’ll still see court positioning
Pro Tip: Say “bounce” when the ball bounces and “hit” when you make contact. This forces focus.
7. Wrong Grip Pressure
The Mistake:
Gripping the racket too tightly causes fatigue, reduces feel, and decreases control. Some beginners also hold it too loosely.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Tight grip = tired forearms, less spin, reduced touch
- Loose grip = racket twists on impact, weak shots
- Inconsistent contact point
- Higher injury risk (tennis elbow)
The Fix:
- Grip pressure scale: 1 (loose) to 10 (tight) → aim for 4-5
- Firm but relaxed: Like holding a bird - don’t crush it, don’t drop it
- Tighten on impact: Squeeze slightly just before contact
- Adjust by shot: Softer for touch shots, firmer for smashes
Check yourself: If your forearm feels tight or tired after 10 minutes, you’re gripping too hard.
8. Always Playing the Same Shot
The Mistake:
Hitting every ball back to the same spot or using the same shot type repeatedly.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Predictable patterns are easy to counter
- Opponents position themselves perfectly
- No pressure on opponents
- Boring, one-dimensional play
The Fix:
- Mix it up: Alternate between hard drives, soft drop shots, and lobs
- Change direction: Cross-court, down the middle, down the line
- Target the player: Hit at the weaker opponent or the one out of position
- Vary height: Low balls, medium height, high lobs
Simple Pattern to Remember:
- Deep shot (push them back)
- Short shot (bring them forward)
- Sideways shot (make them move laterally)
- Repeat
9. Poor Communication with Your Partner
The Mistake:
Not calling “mine,” “yours,” or “leave it” leads to confusion, collisions, and lost points.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Both players go for the same ball (or neither does)
- Balls down the middle cause hesitation
- Creates tension with your partner
- Reduces confidence in doubles play
The Fix:
- Call every ball: “Mine!” or “Yours!” - loud and early
- Default rule: Player with forehand in the middle takes center balls
- Encourage your partner: “Nice shot!” or “I’ve got next one”
- Before the match: Agree on who covers lobs, who takes the middle
Pro Tip: Over-communicate at first. It feels awkward but prevents far more mistakes than it causes.
10. Trying to Win Every Point on One Shot
The Mistake:
Going for the winning shot too early, trying to end the point with one spectacular smash or drop shot.
Why It’s Wrong:
- Higher error rate
- Opponents are positioned and ready
- Wastes good rally building
- Frustration when mistakes happen
The Fix:
- Build the point: 3-4 shots to set up the winner
- Move opponents around: Make them run, then attack
- Wait for the right ball: Shoulder height, near the net, with good positioning
- Patience wins: Longer rallies favor consistent players
Winning Formula:
- Return deep (push them back)
- Control the net (move forward)
- Force errors (make them hit difficult shots)
- Finish when ready (high ball, weak return, or perfect position)
Quick Fixes Summary
| Mistake | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Standing too deep | Play 2-3m from net when possible |
| Not moving together | Imagine being connected by rope |
| Hitting too hard | Placement beats power - aim for 80% speed |
| Ignoring walls | Practice wall rebounds 10 min/day |
| Poor serve | Low, deep, diagonal + move forward |
| Not watching ball | Say “bounce” and “hit” out loud |
| Wrong grip pressure | Scale of 4-5 out of 10 |
| Predictable shots | Vary pace, direction, and height |
| No communication | Call every ball loudly |
| Rushing winners | Build points, wait for right moment |
Bonus Tip: Record Your Games
The fastest way to spot your own mistakes:
- Record 10 minutes of your match with your phone
- Watch it later and note patterns
- Count how many times you make each mistake
- Focus on fixing the top 2-3 issues
Most players are shocked when they see themselves making the same mistake 10+ times in one match.
Practice Plan to Fix These Mistakes
Week 1-2: Focus on positioning and movement
- Drill: Play points with your partner, focusing ONLY on moving together
- Goal: Zero gaps between you two
Week 3-4: Work on shot variety
- Drill: Alternate every shot - hard, soft, high, low
- Goal: Hit 5 different shot types in a row
Week 5-6: Master the walls
- Drill: 100 balls off the back wall, 50 off each side wall
- Goal: Confidence hitting wall rebounds
Week 7-8: Communication and strategy
- Drill: Call every ball loudly during practice matches
- Goal: Zero confusion on who takes which ball
Key Takeaways
The biggest padel mistakes beginners make are:
- Positioning errors (standing too deep, not moving together)
- Shot selection (too much power, no variety)
- Wall play (ignoring or fearing the walls)
- Communication (not calling balls, poor teamwork)
The good news: All of these are fixable with awareness and practice. Pick 2-3 mistakes from this list, focus on them for a month, and you’ll see massive improvement.
Ready to track your progress and find courts near you? Download the Padellog app to log matches, analyze your stats, and connect with other players working on their game.
