10 Common Padel Mistakes Beginners Make — and How to Fix Them
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Beginner Padel · Coaching Tips · Corcuera Padel Club
10 Common Padel Mistakes Beginners Make — and How to Fix Them
New to padel? Most beginners make the same mistakes: hitting too hard, standing in the wrong place, ignoring the glass and trying to win points too quickly. The good news is that small fixes can make a big difference fast.
Quick answer: what is the biggest mistake beginners make in padel?
The biggest beginner mistake in padel is trying to hit the ball too hard. Padel is not just about power. It rewards control, patience, positioning and smart use of the glass. Beginners improve fastest when they slow the game down, keep the ball in play and learn where to stand.
Why beginner mistakes are normal in padel
Padel feels easy to start because the court is smaller than tennis, the serve is underarm and rallies can happen quickly. But that easy start can also trick beginners into playing too fast, swinging too big and rushing points.
The aim at beginner level is not to hit winners from everywhere. It is to build consistency, understand the court and make fewer unforced errors than the other pair.
1. Hitting the ball too hard
This is the classic beginner mistake. New players often try to win points with power, especially if they come from tennis, squash or badminton.
In padel, hard shots can rebound off the glass and give your opponents an easier ball. Power is useful later, but control wins more beginner matches.
How to fix it
Aim for 70% power. Focus on depth, direction and consistency. Try to make your opponent play one more shot instead of trying to finish the point immediately.
2. Standing too close to the net
Many beginners rush the net and stand too close. This leaves them exposed to lobs and makes it difficult to react to fast balls at the body.
How to fix it
When attacking, stand around the service-line area rather than leaning over the net. You want to be close enough to volley, but far enough back to react to a lob.
3. Standing too deep at the back
The opposite mistake is staying glued to the back glass. Beginners often feel safer there, but it gives opponents space and makes it harder to take control of the point.
How to fix it
Use the back of the court to defend, but look for chances to move forward. If your pair plays a good lob, follow it in together and take the net.
Corcuera rule: win the position before the point
At beginner level, better positioning usually beats bigger shots. Learn when to defend, when to move forward and how to move as a pair. You will win more points without needing to hit harder.
4. Ignoring the glass
The glass is what makes padel different. Beginners often panic when the ball hits the back wall or side glass, either rushing the shot or letting it pass completely.
How to fix it
Let the ball rebound when you have time. Practise reading the bounce and giving yourself space. The glass is not your enemy — it is part of the game.
5. Using a tennis-style serve
Padel serves must be underarm, and the ball must be hit at or below waist height after bouncing. Beginners sometimes try to make the serve too aggressive or too complicated.
How to fix it
Keep your serve simple. Aim low, controlled and deep into the service box. A reliable serve is far more valuable than a risky one.
Need the full rules? Read our complete padel rules guide.
6. Not communicating with your partner
Padel is a doubles sport. Beginners often chase the same ball, leave gaps, or both move in different directions because they are not talking.
How to fix it
Use simple calls: “mine”, “yours”, “leave”, “switch” and “lob”. Good communication makes you calmer and helps the pair move as one unit.
7. Trying advanced shots too early
The bandeja, vibora and kick smash look brilliant, but they are not the first shots a beginner needs. Trying advanced shots too early usually creates mistakes and frustration.
How to fix it
Master the basics first: serve, return, volley, lob, simple overhead and defensive glass shots. Once those are consistent, advanced shots become easier to learn.
8. Forgetting to lob
The lob is one of the most important shots in padel. Beginners often try to pass opponents with speed instead of using height to push them back.
How to fix it
Use the lob when opponents are at the net. A good lob gives you time, changes the position of the point and can help your pair move forward.
9. Returning too aggressively
Beginners often try to attack the serve return. This leads to mistakes, especially when the serve is low or close to the glass.
How to fix it
Make the return first. Aim cross-court, keep it low and give yourself time to recover. A safe return puts pressure back on the serving pair.
10. Wearing the wrong kit or shoes
Padel involves quick lateral movement, short sprints and sudden stops. Running shoes and restrictive clothing can make movement harder and reduce confidence on court.
How to fix it
Wear breathable clothing and suitable court shoes. Your kit should let you move freely, stay comfortable and feel good after the match too.
Follow padel coaches between sessions
One of the easiest ways to improve between matches is to follow good padel coaches online. Short coaching clips can help beginners understand positioning, glass rebounds, volleys, lobs and common tactical mistakes before the next time they step on court.
For beginner-friendly ideas, start with our guide to the top padel coaches and influencers to follow on Instagram. It includes accounts such as Coach Rich, The Padel School, Hello Padel Academy and pro players who are useful to watch for inspiration.
The key is not to copy every trick shot you see online. Save one or two simple tips, practise them slowly, and use them in your next social match.
The fastest way to improve as a beginner
If you want to improve quickly, do not try to fix everything at once. Pick one mistake per session and focus on that.
- Play with less power.
- Keep the ball in play.
- Learn where to stand.
- Use the lob more often.
- Communicate with your partner.
- Book a beginner lesson if you feel stuck.
For more help, read our beginner guide to getting started with padel, our complete padel rules guide, and our guide to the best padel coaches and influencers to follow on Instagram.
Final thought: padel rewards smart beginners
You do not need to be the strongest, fastest or most technical player on court to improve at padel. You need patience, positioning and consistency.
Make fewer mistakes, communicate with your partner and learn to use the glass. Do that, and you will start winning more points without trying to hit harder.
Frequently asked questions about beginner padel mistakes
What is the most common beginner mistake in padel?
The most common beginner mistake is hitting the ball too hard. Padel rewards control, consistency and positioning more than pure power, especially at beginner level.
How can beginners get better at padel quickly?
Beginners improve fastest by reducing unforced errors, learning where to stand, using the lob, communicating with their partner and practising the glass. A beginner lesson can also speed up progress.
Should beginners use the glass in padel?
Yes. Beginners should learn to use the glass because it is a major part of padel. Letting the ball rebound can give you more time and help you defend more calmly.
Is power important in beginner padel?
Power is less important than control at beginner level. Most beginners win more points by keeping the ball in play, aiming well and forcing opponents to make mistakes.
What should beginners focus on first in padel?
Beginners should focus on serve, return, volley, lob, positioning and communication. Advanced shots like the vibora and kick smash can come later.