DEZE SITE
BEGINNER'S GUIDE
Everything a new padel player needs to understand >
the game, the rules, and how to play.
1 Always use the continental (neutral) grip
2 Watch the ball all the way onto your racket
3 After every shot, reset to the centre
4 Lob when in doubt — it buys you time
5 Talk to your partner between every point
6 Don't rush to smash — get position first
BEGINNER'S GUIDE
Everything a new padel player needs to understand the game, the rules, and how to play.
1
Always use the continental (neutral) grip
2
Watch the ball all the way onto your racket
3
After every shot, reset to the centre
4
Lob when in doubt — it buys you time
5
Talk to your partner between every point
6
Don't rush to smash — get position first
🎾
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court — about 30% smaller than a tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh fences. The ball can bounce off the walls, making rallies longer and more creative. It's one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
📐
A standard padel court is 10m wide × 20m long, enclosed by glass walls at the back and sides. The net is 88cm high in the centre. The court is divided into 4 service boxes. Understanding wall angles is fundamental to the game.
🏓
Padel rackets are solid (no strings), smaller than tennis rackets, and have holes for aerodynamics. They come in round (control), teardrop (balanced), or diamond (power) shapes. Beginners should start with a round or balanced racket.
⚙️
You serve underarm, below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box. After the ball bounces once on your side, you can use the walls. If the ball hits the fence before the second bounce, it's still in play. Scoring is the same as tennis.
🎯
In padel, pairs play together. One player is at the net (dominant position), one covers the baseline. The objective is to get both players to the net together. Beginners should focus on keeping the ball in play rather than hitting winners.
📍
The net zone is the most powerful position — volleys and smashes win points here. The mid zone is transitional. The back zone is defensive — use lobs to escape. Never stay in no-man's land (mid zone) for too long.
🔑
1. Keep the ball in play — consistency beats aggression. 2. Communicate with your partner constantly. 3. Take the net — the team that controls the net wins most rallies.
🧠
Padel is more mental than physical. Patience and positioning win more points than power. Watch where your opponents are. Move together with your partner as a unit. Enjoy the walls — they're your friends, not obstacles.
Beginner25 min
0%
Step 1: Continental grip
Hold the racket like shaking hands — this is your universal padel grip.
Step 2: Ready position
Weight forward, racket at chest height, eyes tracking the ball.
Step 3: Split step timing
A small hop as your opponent makes contact to stay on your toes.
Step 4: Footwork fundamentals
Small quick steps beat large lunges. Stay balanced.
Beginner20 min
0%
Step 1: Understand the court layout
Learn the dimensions, service boxes, and wall zones.
Step 2: Learn the scoring system
Padel uses tennis scoring. Understand deuce and advantage.
Step 3: Master the serve rules
Underarm serve below waist height into the diagonal box.
Step 4: Wall rules
The ball can bounce off walls after touching your side's ground.
Step 5: In/out boundaries
Learn when a ball is in or out regarding the walls and fences.
Rulo / Spin off Glass Advanced Defensive
A creative shot using the back glass — letting the ball bounce off the wall and hooking it back with spin.
Technique Steps
1 Let the ball come off the glass fully
2 Position yourself to the side
3 Heavy inside-out swing
4 Brush the ball aggressively
5 Use the momentum of the ball
💡 Pro Tip
This shot requires deep court sense. Watch the pros to understand the timing.
📍 When to Use
When your opponent lobs and you can't smash cleanly
Chiquita Intermediate Attack
A fast, low dipping ball hit cross-court at the feet of the net player. The padel equivalent of a passing shot.
Technique Steps
1 Take the ball early, just after the bounce
2 Compact swing, mostly wrist and forearm
3 Aim low and cross-court
4 Heavy topspin to keep the ball dipping
5 Stay balanced through the shot
💡 Pro Tip
Speed and disguise matter more than power. Vary your target.
📍 When to Use
When you want to attack the net player's feet
Every essential padel shot, broken down step by step.
All Overhead Defensive Attack Net
Bandeja Intermediate Overhead
The bandeja is a controlled overhead shot played from the back of the court. It'...
Vibora Advanced Overhead
A fast, spinning overhead shot that accelerates after the bounce. One of the mos...
Smash Beginner Overhead
The classic overhead smash — your go-to for finishing points with a high ball at...
Lob Beginner Defensive
A high, deep ball used to push opponents off the net and regain court position....
Chiquita Intermediate Attack
A fast, low dipping ball hit cross-court at the feet of the net player. The pade...
Volley Beginner Net
Hitting the ball before it bounces. Essential for net play and finishing points....
Rulo / Spin off Glass Advanced Defensive
A creative shot using the back glass — letting the ball bounce off the wall and ...
Bajada Advanced Attack
Taking the ball off the side glass and attacking — one of padel's most spectacul...
Smash Beginner Overhead
The classic overhead smash — your go-to for finishing points with a high ball at the net.
Technique Steps
1 Point your non-racket arm up at the ball
2 Turn sideways quickly
3 Full swing from behind your head
4 Hit through the ball with a firm wrist
5 Transfer weight forward on contact
💡 Pro Tip
Don't overhit. A well-placed smash is better than a powerful one.
📍 When to Use
When you receive a lob that doesn't reach the glass
Beginner 30 min
0%
Step 1: High volley
Punch the ball down at a 45° angle. No swing.
Step 2: Mid volley
Flat punch straight or cross court.
Step 3: Low volley
Get low, open racket face, lift the ball back deep.
Step 4: Angled volley
Redirect the ball wide to open up the court.
Step 5: Net position drill
Practice holding net position after each volley.
Volley Beginner Net
Hitting the ball before it bounces. Essential for net play and finishing points.
Technique Steps
1 Hold racket at chest height, ready position
2 Minimal backswing — punch the ball
3 Firm wrist at contact
4 Move your feet to get behind the ball
5 Angle the racket face for direction
💡 Pro Tip
Think of it as blocking with direction. Less swing = more control.
📍 When to Use
When you're at the net and the ball comes directly to you
Back to Lessons
Beginner20 min
0%
Step 1: When to lob
Use the lob to recover when under pressure from net players.
Step 2: Shape of the swing
Brush upward — not forward — opening the face.
Step 3: Depth targeting
Aim for the back third of the court, ideally over the backhand.
Step 4: Recovery step
After lobbing, move to the centre of the baseline
Lob Beginner Defensive
A high, deep ball used to push opponents off the net and regain court position.
Technique Steps
1 Get low with bent knees
2 Open racket face at contact
3 Swing upward, not forward
4 Aim for deep into the court, above your opponents
5 Buy time to recover your position
💡 Pro Tip
A lob should be deep and high — a short lob is a free smash for your opponent.
📍 When to Use
When opponents are controlling the net and you're under pressure
Intermediate35 min
0%
Step 1: Attack formation
Both net players should cover their half and communicate.
Step 2: Pressure volleying
Move forward as your opponents strike to compress time.
Step 3: The closing smash
When the lob is short, end the point with a decisive smash.
Step 4: Poaching
Reading the cross-court ball and intercepting before your partner.
Step 5: Reset after lob
When lobbed, one player recovers while the other holds.
Intermediate40 min
0%
Step 1: Preparation
Racket up early in the trophy position as the lob arrives.
Step 2: Footwork
Step back and to the side to position under the ball.
Step 3: The slice swing
Swing flat-to-sliced, cutting across the ball.
Step 4: Direction
Aim to the sideline or deep, avoiding the centre.
Step 5: Stay at net
The goal is to hold net position, not win the point outright.
Bandeja Intermediate Overhead
The bandeja is a controlled overhead shot played from the back of the court. It's used to slow down the rally and maintain net position.
Technique Steps
1 Position your body sideways to the net
2 Raise racket to a 'trophy position' above your shoulder
3 Swing forward with a flat or slightly open face
4 Aim for a controlled slice to keep the ball low
5 Land with weight on your front foot
💡 Pro Tip
Keep your elbow high throughout the swing. The goal is placement, not power.
📍 When to Use
When you're pushed back and your opponents are at the net
Advanced45 min
0%
Step 1: Same preparation as bandeja
Disguise is critical — opponents shouldn't know which you'll hit.
Step 2: Contact point
Hit slightly more in front and with an inside-out brush.
Step 3: Wrist snap
Snap your wrist at contact for maximum spin and acceleration.
Step 4: Target zones
Aim for the back glass at side-angles to maximise difficulty.
Step 5: Combination play
Mix vibora and bandeja to keep opponents guessing.
Vibora Advanced Overhead
A fast, spinning overhead shot that accelerates after the bounce. One of the most powerful weapons in padel.
Technique Steps
1 Similar preparation to the bandeja
2 At contact, brush the ball from inside-out
3 Snap your wrist for heavy topspin
4 Aim towards the glass or sideline
5 Follow through across your body
💡 Pro Tip
The wrist snap is everything. Practice it slowly before adding pace.
📍 When to Use
When you have a high ball and want to attack aggressively
Advanced50 min
0%
Step 1: Reading the glass
Learn how angles change depending on where the ball hits the glass.
Step 2: Bajada technique
Taking the ball off the side glass and attacking — timing is everything.
Step 3: Rulo / Gancho
Using the back glass creatively to change direction.
Step 4: Pressure from walls
Using wall play to put opponents under tactical pressure.
Step 5: Full point construction
Combining wall shots into an overall point-winning strategy.
🎾
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court — about 30% smaller than a tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh fences. The ball can bounce off the walls, making rallies longer and more creative. It's one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
📐
A standard padel court is 10m wide × 20m long, enclosed by glass walls at the back and sides. The net is 88cm high in the centre. The court is divided into 4 service boxes. Understanding wall angles is fundamental to the game.
🏓
Padel rackets are solid (no strings), smaller than tennis rackets, and have holes for aerodynamics. They come in round (control), teardrop (balanced), or diamond (power) shapes. Beginners should start with a round or balanced racket.
⚙️
You serve underarm, below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box. After the ball bounces once on your side, you can use the walls. If the ball hits the fence before the second bounce, it's still in play. Scoring is the same as tennis.
🎯
In padel, pairs play together. One player is at the net (dominant position), one covers the baseline. The objective is to get both players to the net together. Beginners should focus on keeping the ball in play rather than hitting winners.
📍
The net zone is the most powerful position — volleys and smashes win points here. The mid zone is transitional. The back zone is defensive — use lobs to escape. Never stay in no-man's land (mid zone) for too long.
🔑
1. Keep the ball in play — consistency beats aggression. 2. Communicate with your partner constantly. 3. Take the net — the team that controls the net wins most rallies.
🧠
Padel is more mental than physical. Patience and positioning win more points than power. Watch where your opponents are. Move together with your partner as a unit. Enjoy the walls — they're your friends, not obstacles.
PADEL INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM
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Nieuw:
✅ Duo analyse
✅ Team analyse
✅ Trainingsgenerator per speler
✅ Tactische scenario generator
✅ Automatische leerdoelen
✅ Progress tracking
✅ Radar dashboards
✅ Professioneel PDF coachrapport (5–10 pagina’s)