Learning how to improve at padel is something every player thinks about after their first few sessions. The initial pickup is fast with most people rallying comfortably within a session or two, but developing beyond casual beginner level requires more deliberate effort.
The good news is that padel rewards smart practice over brute repetition. Here are ten tips that will genuinely accelerate your improvement.
1. Get to the Net and Stay There
The single most impactful change most beginners can make is getting to the net and staying there. In padel the pair that controls the net controls the point — almost without exception. If you’re spending most of your time on the baseline you’re playing a losing tactical game regardless of how well you’re hitting the ball.
After your serve, move forward. After a good return, move forward. The net is where points are won in padel so definetly get comfortable there as early as possible.
2. Master the Continental Grip
Most beginner padel players grip the racket in a way that limits their shot options without realising it. The continental grip, holding the racket as if shaking hands with the edge of the frame is the foundation of padel and allows you to switch between forehand, backhand, and volleys without changing your hand position.
Spend time consciously practising with the continental grip until it feels natural. It will feel awkward at first but the payoff in shot variety and consistency is significant. For a full guide see our article on how to hold a padel racket.
3. Learn to Use the Back Wall
Reading and playing balls off the back wall is what separates padel from every other racket sport and it’s what separates developing players from beginners. Many new players give up on balls that go past them and hit the back glass, assuming the point is lost. It isn’t.
Practice letting the ball come off the back wall and playing it cleanly. The angle it comes off mirrors the angle it went in. Get close to the wall, let the ball come to you, and redirect it rather than swinging hard. Solo wall practice is the fastest way to develop this skill.
4. Slow Down Your Serve
Power is not an advantage in padel serving consistency is. A fast serve that lands out loses the point immediately. Whereas a well-placed, consistent serve that gets the rally started and allows you to get to the net is infinitely more valuable.
Focus on placement rather than pace. Aim for the body of the receiver or the corners of the service box rather than trying to ace them. The serve in padel is a tool to start the rally and not a weapon to win points outright.
5. Communicate with Your Partner
Padel is a doubles sport and communication with your partner is a fundamental part of the game. Experienced pairs call for balls, signal their intentions, and constantly talk between points about positioning and tactics.
Simple calls — “mine”, “yours”, “switch” — prevent costly confusion in the middle of fast rallies. Between points, talk about what’s working and what isn’t. The pair that communicates best usually wins regardless of individual skill level.
6. Watch the Ball, Not Your Opponents
A very common beginner mistake is watching your opponents rather than the ball. In padel the ball moves fast and the court is small, taking your eyes off the ball for even a moment causes mistimed shots and missed volleys.
Keep your eyes on the ball from the moment it leaves your opponent’s racket until the moment it leaves yours.
7. Use the Lob More
The lob is one of padel’s most underused shots at beginner level and one of the most important. When your opponents are controlling the net and putting you under pressure, a well-executed lob over their heads resets the point and forces them back to the baseline.
A good lob doesn’t need to be perfect rather it needs to get over your opponents and land deep enough to push them back. Practise lobs in every session and add them to your tactical toolkit early. A lob is definetly one of the best shots in the game, with the ball being high up in the air some players overcomplicate the shot or start panicing trying to figure out what the best way to deal with it is.
8. Book a Coaching Session
One or two sessions with a qualified padel coach will accelerate your improvement faster than months of unguided practice. A coach identifies bad habits before they become ingrained such as grip issues, footwork problems, positional mistakes giving you specific things to work on.
Most UK padel clubs offer individual and group coaching at reasonable prices. Even a single session every few months is enough to keep your development on track. It is defintely worth the money and will dramatically increase your padel skills.
9. Play with Better Players
Playing with people at your own level is comfortable but playing with better players accelerates your improvement dramatically. Better players force you to move faster, think quicker, and execute shots under more pressure than you’d face against peers.
Ask at your club about playing up a level occasionally most experienced players are happy to include improving beginners in their sessions. The improvement you get from one session against stronger players often exceeds several sessions at your own level.
10. Play Consistently
The most important factor in improving at padel is simply playing regularly. Once a week is fine for maintaining your level. Twice a week is where real improvement happens. Three or more times a week and you’ll develop noticeably faster than almost anyone in your club.
Consistency compounds as every session builds on the last. A player who has played 100 sessions over a year will be significantly better than one who has played 30, regardless of natural ability.
Equipment That Helps You Improve
Having the right equipment doesn’t make you a better player overnight but it removes friction from your development. A racket that’s too heavy causes fatigue. Shoes that slip reduce confidence on court. A worn grip causes the racket to twist on contact.
Make sure your kit is working for you:
- Racket: See our guide to the best padel rackets for beginners and best padel rackets under £100
- Shoes: See our guide to the best padel shoes for men or women
- Grip: A fresh overgrip costs under £5 and makes an immediate difference. See our guide to the best padel grips
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get good at padel?
Most players feel genuinely competent within 3-6 months of playing twice a week. Club-level competitive ability typically takes 1-2 years of consistent play.
Is padel hard to get better at?
The initial improvement curve is fast as most players progress quickly in their first few months. Beyond that, improvement requires more deliberate practice and tactical awareness.
Should I take lessons or just play?
Both — play as much as possible and take occasional lessons to correct technique issues before they become habits. The combination is far more effective than either alone.
Does fitness matter in padel?
Yes — padel is a physically demanding sport at higher levels. General cardiovascular fitness, lateral movement, and core strength all contribute to performance. But don’t let fitness hold you back from playing — improvement on court will naturally improve your padel fitness.
What’s the fastest way to improve at padel?
Play consistently, get to the net, communicate with your partner, and book one coaching session to identify your biggest technical issues. Do those four things and you’ll improve faster than almost anyone in your club.
Ready to invest in the right equipment to support your improvement? Check out our guides to the best padel rackets for beginners, best padel bags, and what to wear for padel.