Common tactical errors and court positioning
Key takeaway from our Guru
What are the most common tactical mistakes in padel?
Stop hitting the ball back into the glass after it has already rebounded. Instead, get behind the ball to see your opponents and choose your next shot with control.
What this lesson covers
Players often lose the point by hitting the ball back into the glass after it has already rebounded. This requires excessive force and prevents the player from seeing the opponents. Instead, move behind the ball to gain a clear view of the court before choosing a shot. Big topspin serves are another error, as they bounce high off the glass and allow the opponent to attack. Low, skidding serves are more effective at forcing difficult returns.
Consistency in shot speed makes the game predictable. Varying the pace disrupts the opponent's rhythm and prevents them from settling into a pattern. When defending from panel five, avoid hitting hard, low shots that leave the court open. Playing high lobs provides the necessary time to recover the net position. Finally, avoid using drop shots unless the opponent is already pinned deep in the corner and the ball can be struck with enough backspin to die instantly. Otherwise, prioritize deep shots to keep the pressure on the opposition.
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Original video
Added on Sep 19, 2026
5 Padel Mistakes to Stop Making — Will the Last one Divide Opinion?
Description
In this video, I break down five common padel mistakes that players should stop making — and what to do instead. Some of these are technical. Some are tactical. All of them affect your ability to control the point, use the glass properly, recover your court position, and make better decisions under pressure. We cover mistakes around the back glass, topspin serves, playing every shot at the same speed, attacking too low from panel five, and one that may divide opinion: the drop shot. I’m not saying you should never play a drop shot. I’m saying a lot of players use it at the wrong time. If you haven’t pushed your opponents deep, and you can’t make the ball die with control and backspin, the drop shot can quickly give the net away. This video is ideal for padel players and coaches who want to understand not just what to do, but why. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Mistake 1: Hitting back into the glass after the rebound 00:31 Why this is a bad option 00:40 What to do instead 01:11 Mistake 2: Big topspin serves 01:20 What to do instead on the serve 01:30 Mistake 3: Always hitting at the same speed 01:37 Why changing speed matters 02:02 Mistake 4: Hitting hard and low from panel five 02:21 What to do instead from panel five 02:38 Mistake 5: The controversial one — drop shots 02:47 When a drop shot can work 03:07 What to do instead most of the time 03:12 Final thoughts If you want more practical padel coaching videos, subscribe to The Coach Station. Follow the development of my padel club project here: Instagram: @neighbourhood_padel #PadelMistakes #PadelTips #PadelCoaching
Good for
Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate
Court position
Left, Backcourt
Play style
Tactical
Secondary shot
Serve
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