Foundations

Effective positioning

In padel you cannot cover the whole court, so good positioning is about choosing which gap to leave open. These drills cover where to stand at the net for each return, how close to hold to your partner, why the service line is the worst place to defend from, and how to move as a pair so the lane between you never opens.

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Learn the tactics

Walkthroughs on effective positioning, showing what to play and why it works.

Why You Should Play More to the Middle in Padel: 4 ReasonsThe middle is the biggest gap in their defense, it causes confusion, the ball cannot go out off the side walls, and the net is lowest there. Four reasons to aim there.
The Diagonal Gap in Padel: Why One Up and One Back Loses PointsWhen one partner is at the net and the other is at the back, you open a diagonal lane nobody can cover. Move as a pair: both up or both back, never split.
Do Not Turn Your Back When Returning a Lob in PadelFacing the back wall and standing behind the ball leaves you with no control. Turn sideways to the side wall and stay beside the ball to play a proper lob back.
Do Not Stand Too Close to the Fence in Padel: Stay Under 4 MetresHugging your side fence opens a gap in the middle nobody covers. Stay on the same line as the ball and keep under four metres between you and your partner.
Do Not Defend From the Service Line in PadelThe service line is the worst place to defend from: they play at your feet and the glass is behind you. Drop back and you can take the ball before or after the wall.
Where to Stand at the Net in Padel: Three Returns, Three PositionsYour net position should move with every return. Step to the central line on the crosscourt, pinch in on the middle ball, and slide to the line on the parallel.
They Keep Returning to Your Partner? Change Where You ServeIf every return goes to your partner, your serve is choosing that. Serve to the side glass from one side and to the middle from the other to pull the return back to you.