Mistakes to avoid when starting padel

Padel is attracting more and more players in France and elsewhere. But starting a new sport can feel daunting, especially when you know you are bound to make some common mistakes.

Luckily, this article takes you through the most common pitfalls beginners face — some before they even step onto the court! — and offers tips on how to avoid them.

If you would like to learn more about the sport itself before reading this article, take a look at our article explaining what padel is.

Choosing the wrong equipment

Common mistakes when choosing a padel racket

One of the first steps when taking up padel is choosing a racket. Beginners often opt for high-performance carbon rackets, drawn to prestigious brands such as Head, Wilson, Nox, Adidas or Babolat. 

However, a racket suited to your level should prioritise control over power, with a weight and balance that allow for optimal manoeuvrability. Read our guide to choosing the right padel racket, finding models suited to beginners and avoiding costly mistakes.

Choosing your padel shoes

Your padel shoes are just as important as your racket. They must provide support, comfort and grip to help prevent slips and injuries. Do not make the mistake of wearing ordinary running or tennis shoes. Unsuitable shoes will hamper your performance and could also cause injuries. 

For more advice, we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you choose your padel shoes.

Mistakes in understanding the game

Playing without knowing the rules

Ignoring the rules of padel can not only affect your ability to play effectively but also frustrate your partners and opponents. Take the time to learn the basics and finer points of the game, such as serving, scoring and using the glass walls. Visit our section on the rules of padel to get off to a good start.

Neglecting tactics

Padel is a team game built on strategy. Hitting every ball hard without thinking about tactics is a common mistake. Work on positioning, anticipation and tactical shots such as lobs or balls placed near the glass, both on your own and with your partner, to become a more complete player. To improve your tactics, watch this video to learn the basics and progress as quickly as possible. 

The importance of technique

Neglecting to practise basic shots

Basic padel shots, such as the serve, the volée, the forehand and the backhand, are essential. Do not make the mistake of neglecting these fundamentals in favour of more spectacular shots. Solid technique will help you improve more quickly.

Prioritising power over control

Many beginners think that hitting hard is the key to success in padel. However, as we saw above when choosing a racket, control is far more important, especially at first. Focus on placing your shots accurately and building points rather than on raw power.

Playing without warming up

Warming up for padel is crucial! Skipping your warm-up is a common mistake that can lead to injury. Take a few minutes to prepare your body to play, focusing on cardio, dynamic stretches and a few racket shots.

Incorrect racket grip

How you hold your padel racket is fundamental to executing every type of shot correctly. An incorrect grip can limit your ability to play certain shots effectively. Beginners are advised to start with the continental grip, also known as the hammer grip, which is versatile for all padel shots.

Playing face-on

Many padel beginners tend to face forwards when playing, a less effective position for most shots. It is better to stand sideways, which helps you execute shots more effectively and improves power and control.

Coordination problems

Coordination is essential in padel and improves with practice. Finding the right distance from the ball is a challenge for many players, but it is essential for hitting it effectively. Working on your positioning and timing is crucial to avoid being too close to or too far from the ball.

Forgetting to bend your knees

Shots played with straight legs or a hunched back lack accuracy. Bending your knees when you hit the ball improves your accuracy and lets you move forwards more dynamically.

Poor positioning on court

For beginners, understanding and mastering positioning on court can be tricky, especially if you are coming from tennis and are new to playing with glass walls. With experience, you will learn to read the ball’s trajectory better and position yourself more effectively, reducing unnecessary effort.

Practical mistakes: focus on specific shots

The serve

A poor ball toss when preparing to serve can seriously affect the quality of your serve. For an effective serve, it is crucial not to toss the ball too far forwards or too far back.

The sliced shot

Trying to play sliced shots without the right preparation is a common mistake. This type of shot requires a high backswing, above waist level, to be executed correctly. A backswing that is too low increases the risk of sending the ball straight into the back glass

Face-on smash

Playing a smash face-on is a typical beginner’s mistake. For a more effective and natural shot, it is best to stand sideways, making it easier to rotate your shoulder and increasing the power of the shot.

Technical mistakes are common among padel beginners, but with practice and patience they can be corrected. Take the time to learn the fundamentals and work on your technique so you can progress through the padel levels. Do not hesitate to ask a coach for help correcting your technique!