Starting out in padel can feel like stepping into a fast-paced, energetic dance—you’ve got the court, the walls, the racket, and a whole lot of excitement. But it’s also easy to pick up some bad habits in those early matches that can slow your progress or limit your potential. The good news? Most rookie errors are easy to fix once you know what to look out for.

Here are five common mistakes new padel players tend to make—and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Playing Like It’s Tennis

This is arguably the most widespread mistake. New players with a tennis background often step onto the padel court thinking the skills will translate perfectly. But padel is a different game—with different rules, strategy, and tempo.

In tennis, power and baseline dominance often win the day. In padel, finesse, patience, and smart positioning usually prevail. The back glass is your friend, and the rallies last longer. If you’re blasting every shot like a forehand winner, you’ll soon find the walls—and your opponents—catching up to you.

What to do instead:
Learn the rhythm of padel. Embrace the use of walls, play more lobs, and focus on control over power. It’s less about brute strength and more about placement and anticipation.

2. Standing Too Far Back

Many beginners instinctively hang out at the baseline, afraid to move forward in case they get passed or lobbed. But staying back for too long puts you at a serious disadvantage—especially once your opponents move up to the net.

The reality? Most points in padel are won at the net.

What to do instead:
Train yourself to approach the net quickly and confidently after returning serve or hitting a solid shot. Get used to volleying, and develop the reflexes to handle quick exchanges. Being at the net doesn’t just increase your chances of winning points—it keeps pressure on your opponents.

3. Ignoring The Walls

The walls in padel aren’t just part of the scenery—they’re strategic tools. But many new players freeze when the ball bounces off the back glass or side wall, unsure how to react.

This hesitation often leads to mishits or unnecessary errors. It’s like playing padel with one hand tied behind your back.

What to do instead:
Practice reading the bounce off the glass. Give yourself a split-second longer by waiting for the rebound, then play a more controlled shot. Once you get used to it, you’ll start to see the wall as a safety net rather than a threat.

4. Not Using The Lob Enough

The lob is one of the most important shots in padel, but new players often avoid it—either because they don’t feel confident in the technique or they underestimate its value.

Without the lob, though, you’ll constantly be stuck at the back while your opponents control the net. And that’s not a winning formula.

What to do instead:
Work on your lob game early. It’s not about floating the ball aimlessly—it’s about pushing your opponents back so you can reclaim offensive positioning. When used correctly, a good lob resets the point and gives you a strategic edge.

5. Playing As Two Individuals, Not A Team

Padel is a doubles game at heart, but many new pairs forget to function as a team. That means you might see two players covering the same ball, drifting apart, or failing to communicate—leading to chaos and easy points for the opposition.

What to do instead:
Talk constantly. Decide early who takes balls down the middle. Move in unison, like you’re connected by an invisible rope. When you play as one unit, the court shrinks for your opponents—and opens up for you.

Final Thoughts

Every padel player starts somewhere, and mistakes are just part of the learning curve. But by recognizing these common pitfalls early and making small corrections, you’ll be ahead of the curve in no time.

So lace up, step out onto the court, and enjoy the game—with a smarter mindset and a sharper strategy. The wall is your friend. The lob is your weapon. And your teammate is your greatest asset.

5 Common Mistakes New Padel Players Make (And How To Avoid Them)