Padel is a dynamic sport in which strategy is as important as the ability to hit the ball.
Understanding where to be on the court at any given time can make the difference between winning and losing points.
In this post, the Padel39 team will share some thoughts about how you can elevate your game by mastering padel court positioning and strategy.
The Basics of Padel Court Positioning
Padel is almost always played in doubles. Not only does this make Padel a hugely social sport, it makes court positioning crucial for effective teamwork. While you will often see tennis players moving more independently, padel players must move as a unit to cover the court efficiently.
1. The ideal base position
When not attacking or defending, you and your partner should maintain a balanced stance:
- Side by side: Standing near parallel to each other just behind the service line.
- Coverage: For Beginners, each player should cover half of the court, ensuring there are no gaps for opponents to exploit. For Intermediate and Advanced players, you will likely deploy a different approach based on abilities and agreed tactics.
2. Net positioning for attack
Most points in padel are won at the net. To dominate at the net:
- Move forward together when attacking.
- Stay about 2-3 meters behind the net to cover lobs and volleys.
- Keep your racket up, and aligned centrally. Be ready to react quickly.
3. Defensive positioning
When your opponents take control of the net, you’ll need to defend effectively from the back of the court.
- Stand near the back glass to have time to react to powerful shots.
- Allow the balls to reach the walls to control the rhythm and play strategically to return balls with control.
- Communicate with your partner to avoid gaps.
Padel Court Strategy For Different Game Scenarios
1. Serving
A well-placed serve sets the tone for the rally.
- Start by aiming wide at the glass. Keep them honest by aiming for the T too - especially if this is your opponent’s weaker side.
- Follow up behind your serve by moving towards the net to take control.
- Mix up your serves with location, pace, and spin to keep opponents guessing.
2. Returning
A smart return can put you in an advantageous position and set you up to win the point.
- Aim to return deep to prevent the server from rushing the net.
- Use lobs to push aggressive opponents back.
- If possible, return with a low shot that forces a defensive volley.
3. Playing against aggressive net players
If your opponents are obviously trying to dominate at the net:
- Use lobs effectively to push them back.
- Play low, slow balls to their feet to force awkward volleys.
- Focus on patience, waiting for the right moment to counterattack.
4. Keep control at the net
Once you gain net control, maximize it.
- Use the Bandeja effectively to retain the net.
- Hit angled volleys and shots and different directions to make your opponents move.
- Use drop shots to surprise and bring them forward.
- Be ready to retreat if they play an effective lob.
Common Positioning Mistakes to Avoid
- Drifting too far apart – Maintain good court coverage with your partner.
- Not moving as a team – If one player moves, the other should adjust accordingly.
- Standing too close to the net – Be aware of lobs and keep an optimal distance.
- Hesitating on who takes the ball – Communicate clearly to avoid confusion.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot to think about, but that’s what makes padel such fun. Although the basics of padel are very easy to pick up - so you will enjoy yourself from the very first hour on court - it takes years to really master the sport.
You can improve your game strategy by watching professional matches. Observe how the top players position themselves on court and learn from it.
Talk it through with your partner and make sure that you are communicating clearly at all times so that you remain adaptable and work effectively as a team. Do that and you will see results.
Now, grab your racket and start positioning yourself for success on the padel court!
