Padel Cheat Sheet

The key takeaways for beginners – compact strokes, the wall as an ally and communication in doubles.

Equipment

Item	Priority	Tip
Round racket	High	Big sweet spot, lots of control – the quintessential beginner shape.
Padel shoes	Medium	Herringbone (clay) sole for grip on the sand-dressed turf.
Wrist strap	High	Not an option but mandatory – protects everyone on court from flying rackets.

The 3 golden technique rules

Factor 1: Compact instead of tennis

Concept: Big tennis swings only produce errors in fast exchanges. Tip: Short backswing, continental grip, contact in front of the body – consistency wins.

Factor 2: The wall is your friend

Concept: Running away from the glass puts you in a rush and out of position. Tip: Wait patiently for the rebound and build it in – the wall gives you a second chance.

Factor 3: Always ready to play

Concept: Flat feet and a hanging racket make every reaction too late. Tip: Weight on the forefeet, racket in front of the body – keep moving at all times.

Doubles communication

“Mine!” or “Yours!”: Call every in-between ball – silence produces collisions.
Agree positions: Talk constantly about who covers what – padel is always played in doubles.
Sort out the lobs: Who takes the lob? Decide beforehand, not mid-point.

Court safety

Strap always on: The cord is the sport’s most important safety rule.
Clear the balls: Balls lying around are ankle traps – keep the court clear.
Footwork: Move to the ball instead of leaning – position beats reach.

Padel fitness

Interval sport: Train short, intense efforts – not steady-state jogging.
Joint stability: Strengthen ankles and knees – changes of direction are the game.
Active recovery: Move easily after the match – that’s how progress lasts.

Pro tip: Let the ball hit the wall more often: what would be lost in tennis is your second chance in padel. Patience at the glass wins more matches than any smash.