Padel Tutorial: The ultimate guide to improving quickly on court

Have you just swapped your tennis racket for a padel racket, or are you simply looking to break through the barrier keeping you from moving up a level? You’re in the right place. Padel is a sport of strategy, patience and finesse.

In this complete padel tutorial, the Esprit Padel Shop team gives you the keys to mastering essential shots, understanding tactical positioning and, above all, avoiding beginner mistakes that needlessly cost you points.

1. The foundation of every padel tutorial: The racket grip

Before you even hit your first ball, it all starts with your hand. Unlike tennis, where you often change grip, padel is played mainly with the continental grip (or hammer grip).

Why? It lets you react quickly to a volée and makes it easier to apply spin (the famous "cut").

Pro tip: Imagine your racket is a hammer and you’re driving in a nail with its edge.

If your current equipment doesn’t give you a good feel for your grip, take a look at our guide to choosing a padel racket to find a model that suits your build.

2. Positioning and movement without the ball

You don’t win at padel by hitting hard, but by positioning yourself better than your opponent. The golden rule of any tactical padel tutorial is this: take the net.

Defensive positioning

At the back of the court, stay behind the service line. Bend your knees! Padel is a sport played "low to the ground". Your aim is to lob your opponents, forcing them back so you can take the attacking position at the net.

The transition: a tactical move

This is the most critical moment. Never stay in "no man’s land" (between the service line and the net). Either defend or attack. For a smooth transition, make sure you wear padel shoes with a clay-court or 100% padel sole to avoid uncontrolled slips.

3. Mastering defensive shots: The glass walls

It’s beginners’ biggest bugbear. Yet the glass wall is your best friend during play. It slows the ball down and gives you an extra moment to think. Here are our tips:

• Let the ball pass: Follow it with your eyes and prepare your racket low.
• Weight transfer: Don’t move backwards as you hit. Try to transfer your weight forwards at the point of impact.

To perfect your defence, using padel balls at the right pressure is essential for understanding how they really bounce off the Perspex.

4. Attacking at the net: Volée and Bandeja

At the net, you’re not looking for an immediate winner (a "par 3"); you’re building the point.

The Volée

Keep your backswing short. Power comes from transferring your body weight forwards, not from taking a big swing. Aim at your opponents’ feet or the mesh fence to create unpredictable bounces.

The Bandeja: Padel’s signature shot

If there’s one shot to learn from a padel tutorial, it’s the bandeja. It’s a "tray" smash that helps you hold your position at the net against an opponent’s lob.

Technique: Prepare your racket high and to the side, then strike the ball at face height with slice.

Important note: Repetition is key. Get yourself a spacious padel bag to carry your training accessories and balls for your drill sessions.

5. The serve: A tactical opening

In padel, the serve starts the point; it isn’t a weapon of mass destruction. The aim is to get to the net quickly. That’s a big difference from tennis (if you used to play tennis, watch this YouTube video to help adapt your game: PLAY PADEL PROPERLY: 5 tips for tennis players ! ).

• Drop the ball (don’t throw it).
• Hit it below waist height after the bounce.
• Aim for the side glass to force your opponent into a difficult return.

Remember to change your padel overgrip regularly to maintain maximum precision on your serves, especially in summer when you sweat more.

6. Common mistakes to avoid

To improve, identifying your weaknesses is just as important as learning new shots:

• Trying to finish the point too quickly: Padel is a game of chess. Wait for the easy ball.
• Forgetting to communicate: Tell your partner where your opponents are ("He’s right at the net!", "They’re at the back!").
• Neglecting your clothing: Wearing technical padel clothing gives you complete freedom of movement, essential for repeated bending and lunging

7. How can you train effectively?

Reading a padel tutorial is a good start, but there’s no substitute for guided practice.

The wall:

Ideal for practising repeated shots and the hammer grip.

The diagonals:

Play practice matches using only cross-court shots to master the angles.

The gear:

Don’t underestimate the impact of a suitable racket. As you improve, switching from a round racket to a teardrop-shaped racket can boost your power without sacrificing control. You can also browse our selection of clearance rackets to keep the cost down.

Conclusion: Master the court and improve quickly with every match

Padel is a rewarding sport because you can improve quickly at first. By mastering your positioning, getting comfortable with the glass walls and choosing the right equipment from Esprit Padel Shop, you’ll soon become a formidable opponent. You can also improve your game by visiting our YouTube channel. Start with this video: Basic padel techniques!

Ready to put this padel tutorial into practice? Find all the biggest brands (Babolat, Bullpadel, Head, Nox) in our online shop and get expert advice to help you perform at your next tournament!