From Beginner to Intermediate: Padel Skills to Master Before Your Trip

Every point in padel begins with an underhand serve, and getting this right is the foundation of a strong game. Unlike tennis, where the serve is a weapon, padel serves are designed to start the rally rather than win it outright. The ball must be struck below waist height, and the server must keep at least one foot on the ground. These rules create a gentle, tactical opening to each point.

The key to a good padel serve is placement over power. Aim for the corner of the service box closest to the side wall, and hit with enough slice to keep the ball low after the bounce. A well-placed serve forces your opponents to hit upwards, setting up an opportunity for you or your partner to attack at the net. Practise this before your holiday, and you will immediately look like a player who understands the game.

The lob is padel's most underrated shot, and mastering it will instantly elevate your game. When your opponents are both positioned at the net — the strongest attacking position in padel — a well-executed lob over their heads forces them to retreat, neutralises their advantage, and gives you time to move forward yourself. The glass back wall means the ball stays in play even if it travels deep, so you can lob with more margin for error than in tennis.

A good defensive lob should be high enough to clear the opponents but with enough backspin to stay in the court after hitting the back wall. An attacking lob — used when one opponent is slightly out of position — should be lower and land closer to the baseline. Practise both variations against a wall before your trip, or book a pre-holiday coaching session at your local club.

The glass walls are what make padel unique, and learning to use them is essential. After the ball bounces, it can hit the back wall or side wall and remain in play. This means rallies last longer, positioning is more important than power, and defensive skills matter enormously. The basic principle is simple: if the ball is going to hit the back wall, position yourself so you can play it after the rebound, not before.

Side wall rebounds create angles that do not exist in any other sport. A ball that hits the side glass can be returned down the line, cross-court, or even back toward the wall for a second rebound. The best padel players think two or three shots ahead, using the walls to construct points methodically. Watch a few professional matches on YouTube before your holiday to start understanding these patterns.

In padel doubles, the team that controls the net usually wins the point. The net position allows you to hit volleys downwards — the most attacking shot in the game — and to intercept lobs before they become dangerous. Moving forward as a pair, covering the middle, and communicating constantly are the hallmarks of strong padel partnerships.

The simplest communication rule is this: the player whose diagonal opponent hits the ball is responsible for that shot. Call "mine" or "yours" loudly and early. If both players go for the same ball, the partnership breaks down. If neither goes, you lose the point. Practise calling with your regular partner before your holiday, or be prepared to develop this skill quickly with whoever you are paired with on your trip.

When a lob lands short and bounces high, you have two main options: the bandeja and the smash. The bandeja is a controlled overhead hit with slice that lands deep in the opponent's court, forcing them to play a defensive shot and allowing you to maintain net position. It is the percentage play — safe, effective, and tactically smart.

The smash is the aggressive alternative. Hit flat and hard at the corner where the side wall meets the back wall, and the ball will rebound unpredictably, often winning the point outright. However, mistime a smash and you either hit it out or leave an easy put-away for your opponents. As a general rule, use the bandeja until you are completely comfortable with the court dimensions, then gradually introduce the smash as your confidence grows.