50 Padel Mistakes Every Player Makes and How to Fix Them

Most players repeat the same mistakes without even noticing. We've gathered 50 of them by category, each with a short fix. Go through the list, mark the ones that apply to you, and fix them one at a time.

Technique mistakes

1. Trying to hit too hard instead of staying controlled.
2. Switching grips between shots and losing time.
3. Keeping the racket low and unready between balls.
4. Putting the ball too high over the net.
5. Not rotating your body and hitting with the arm alone.
6. Making contact too late, behind your body.
7. Using too big a swing on the volley.
8. Not bending your knees on low balls.
9. Watching your opponent instead of the ball.
10. Gripping the racket too tightly and losing feel.

Positioning and movement mistakes

11. Staying back instead of moving to the net when the chance comes.
12. Standing too close to the net and getting punished by the lob.
13. Not returning to the center after each shot.
14. Moving on your own without your partner and opening gaps.
15. Standing flat-footed instead of staying on your toes.
16. Chasing balls that are better left to the wall.
17. Covering the wrong side of the court.
18. Losing the net after your opponent's lob.
19. Not getting low enough in a defensive stance.
20. Getting tangled over who takes the ball in the middle.

Tactics mistakes

21. Trying to finish the point too early.
22. Not using the lob to win back the net.
23. Always hitting to the same spot and being predictable.
24. Not using the wall to your advantage.
25. Playing to your opponent's strength instead of their weakness.
26. Losing patience on long points.
27. Not varying your pace and power.
28. Neglecting the serve as a tactical tool.

Mistakes with the wall

29. Running away from a ball off the wall instead of waiting for it.
30. Standing too close to the back wall.
31. Trying to hit the ball at the very top of its bounce.
32. Not letting the ball drop to a comfortable height.

Mental and communication mistakes

33. Getting frustrated after a mistake and carrying it into the next point.
34. Not talking to your partner between points.
35. Criticizing your partner instead of encouraging them.
36. Losing focus when you're in the lead.
37. Playing tense instead of relaxed.
38. Not learning from your last match.

Equipment and preparation mistakes

39. A racket that's too heavy or wrong for your level.
40. Shoes that don't suit the court surface.
41. Showing up without warming up.
42. Not drinking enough water throughout the match.

And a few more that trip up almost everyone: not setting a goal for each practice, never filming yourself, always playing the same people, not asking for feedback, skipping the cool-down stretch, and not resting enough between matches. Fix one every week and you'll see your level jump.

How to actually fix a bad habit in padel

Spotting a mistake is easy, fixing it takes method. A bad habit is built from thousands of repetitions, so fixing it needs slow, conscious repetitions. Pick one mistake at a time, practice it slowly and deliberately, and only when the correct motion feels natural should you raise the pace. Do not try to fix five mistakes at once.

3 principles for a fast fix

• Deliberate practice: slow reps with full attention beat a hundred automatic reps.
• External feedback: film yourself or ask an experienced player to watch, it is hard to fix what you cannot see.
• Patience: a real fix takes weeks, not days. Give it time.

The mistake above all others: not playing enough

You can read about mistakes forever, but nothing fixes them like time on court against real opponents. The best way to improve is simply to play more, against players at your level. Find open games and partners through an app, and build the court hours that truly make the difference.