The most common beginner padel mistake is trying to play it like tennis with walls. Padel rewards control, patience, positioning and teamwork before power. Learn that early and you will save yourself a lot of balls into the glass.
Here are the mistakes that show up again and again in beginner games, plus the simpler habit to use instead.
1. Hitting every ball too hard
Power is useful when the setup is right. It is a liability when you are late, off balance or guessing. Beginners often swing harder because they feel under pressure, then lose the point faster.
Do this instead: play with shape and depth. Make opponents hit one more ball before you look for the finish.
2. Ignoring the walls
The glass is part of padel. If you rush every deep ball before it reaches the wall, you remove one of the sport's biggest advantages: time.
Do this instead: let deeper balls rebound when you have space. Turn your shoulders, wait for the ball to come out and play a controlled shot back.
3. Standing in no-man's land
Many beginners drift into the middle of the court and stay there. That leaves them too far back to volley and too far forward to defend the wall properly.
Do this instead: move as a pair. Defend from the back when under pressure, then take the net together after a good lob or deep attacking ball.
4. Forgetting the lob
The lob is not a panic button. It is one of the most useful shots in padel because it can push opponents away from the net and give your side time to recover.
Do this instead: practise a high, deep lob with margin. A short lob is just a present with ribbon on it.
5. Trying advanced shots too early
Bandejas, viboras and clever wall shots are useful, but only when the basic rally skills are steady. If the simple volley is not reliable yet, the fancy overhead can wait.
Do this instead: build the base: serve, return, groundstroke, volley, lob and wall rebound.
6. Taking the serve return too casually
A loose return gives the serving team immediate control. Beginners often go for a winner on the return or float it straight to the net player.
Do this instead: aim low and safe, often through the middle or cross-court. Your return should start the point, not audition for a highlights reel.
7. Not talking to your partner
Padel is usually doubles. Silence causes clashes, missed balls and the classic moment where both players watch the ball bounce between them with deep personal regret.
Do this instead: use simple calls: mine, yours, leave, switch, up and back.
8. Chasing every ball backwards
Backpedalling straight at the glass is awkward and unsafe. It also leaves you with poor balance when the ball finally arrives.
Do this instead: turn side-on early and move with small adjustment steps. Give yourself room to play after the wall.
9. Buying for power before control
A powerful racket will not fix rushed footwork or poor shot choice. It may simply help you miss faster.
Do this instead: choose a racket you can control. Start with our padel rackets, and use racket overgrips if comfort or slipping is the real issue.
10. Skipping the warm-up
Padel looks friendly, but it still involves quick turns, lunges and overheads. Going from car seat to full-speed point is asking a lot of your calves and shoulders.
Do this instead: spend a few minutes on light movement, side steps, arm circles, gentle volleys and easy overheads before the match starts.
Beginner mistake checklist
| Mistake | Better habit |
|---|---|
| Overhitting | Play with control and depth |
| Rushing wall balls | Let deep balls rebound |
| Standing in the middle | Move back or forward as a pair |
| Ignoring the lob | Use it to reset and take the net |
| Buying for power | Choose comfort and control first |
The sensible next step
Pick 2 mistakes from this list and work on them in your next game. Do not try to fix all 10 at once. Padel improvement is much easier when you stop collecting new problems mid-rally.
You can also join the Darts Connect email list through the sign-up form on this page for beginner padel guides and practical kit advice.
FAQs
What is the biggest beginner mistake in padel?
Trying to hit too hard too early is usually the biggest mistake. Control and positioning matter more at beginner level.
Should beginners use the walls in padel?
Yes. Beginners should learn when to use the walls because deep balls are often easier after the rebound than before it.
Why do beginners lose points at the net?
Usually because they stand too close, volley too hard or float the ball up. Shorter swings and better targets help.
Do I need a powerful padel racket as a beginner?
No. A controllable, comfortable racket is usually a better first choice than a power-focused racket.
How can I improve fastest at padel?
Work on serve return, lobs, wall rebounds and moving with your partner. Those habits improve more points than one flashy shot.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 22 June 2026.
