8 Padel Tactics to Dominate Your Opponents

Padel tactics

The best way to get one over your opponents in your next game is to use some of the padel tactics we discuss in this post.

If you want to improve your game, here are some tactics and strategies to consider:


Basic Padel tactics

1: Mix up your serves

A strong serve can give you an advantage in padel, especially if you can follow it up with a volley at the net.

Try to vary the placement and speed of your serve to keep your opponents guessing.

2: Use your forehand and backhand

Both your forehand and backhand can be effective shots in padel, so it’s important to practice and develop both.

Try to use your forehand for balls that are hit to your dominant side, and your backhand for balls hit to your non-dominant side.

Padel backhand tactic

3: Use the walls often

The walls are an integral part of padel, and they can be used to your advantage in a number of ways.

For example, you can use the walls to redirect the ball to a difficult spot for your opponent to reach, or you can use them to set up a shot for yourself.


Most effective Padel tactics

4: Plan your padel tactics with your partner

Padel is a doubles game, so it’s important to communicate with your partner and work together to cover the court and set up shots.

Come up with some basic plans for who goes for which kinds of shots, whether you’re going to swarm the net after a serve etc.

Padel partner shaking hands

5: Tire out your opponents

One Padel tactic that is often most effective is placing your shots into space, making your opponent have to chase the ball.

Do this often enough and they’ll soon tire and won’t reach the next shot.

6: Target the weaker player

A devilish Padel tactic but if you really want that victory, then targeting the weaker player by playing shots into their half of the court is very effective.

Playing padel on a green court

Physical Padel tactics

7: Practice your footwork

Good footwork is crucial in padel, as it allows you to move around the court quickly and get to balls that might otherwise be out of reach.

Practice your footwork by doing drills and exercises that focus on quickness and agility.

8: Use your body

In padel, you can use your body to generate power and spin on your shots.

For example, you can use your legs to generate power on your groundstrokes or use your upper body to generate spin on your serves and volleys.

Reaching for a shot in padel

By implementing these padel tactics and strategies into your game, you can become a better player and have a better chance of beating your opponents.

Remember to always stay focused, stay positive, and have fun!

Read more Padel tips.

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Alfie Godfrey Padel Athletes Founder

About the Author

Alfie Godfrey – Padel Player (8+ Years) & Coach

From the moment Alfie discovered Padel on a family holiday in Barcelona back in 2015, his passion for this amazing sport knows no bounds. Driven by a mission to propel Padel to new heights worldwide, Alfie is dedicated to delivering the pinnacle of quality content.

Drawing from his own extensive 8-year journey as a player and the collective expertise of the esteemed team at PadelAthletes, he provides unrivaled insights, recommendations, and guides. Alfie and our ever-expanding network of casual and professional players, club owners, and sports scientists empower us to create the ultimate resources on all things Padel.

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