Padel is more than just a game of power and reflexes; Padel is a game of strategy, positioning, and teamwork. One of the main ways to level up your game and start dominating your opponents is that you need to move beyond basic shots and luck and start to develop a tactical approach to the game. Here are five advanced padel strategies to help you take control of the court.
1. Master the Lob to Control the Game
The lob is one of the most underrated weapons in your Padel arsenal. A well-placed lob forces your opponents to move back, disrupting their positioning and offensive play. Lobs provide you with the space to get back and take control of the net. As discussed in the “Top 10 Drills to Improve Your Padel Game” article, the net position is very powerful and key to winning points. To execute an effective lob:
- Aim high and deep to push opponents toward the back wall.
- Use topspin for better control and unpredictability.
- Mix up your lobs to keep your opponents guessing.
When used correctly, the lob allows you to reset the point, regain control, or even create offensive opportunities. Below is a video explaining the Lob:
2. Dominate the Net with Smart Positioning
As stated in the previous point, winning a point in Padel often comes down to the team controlling the net. The reason for this is that the closer you are to the net, the more angles you can create for attacking shots. Being close to the net also allows you to be as aggressive as possible which is why you need to know and get comfortable dominating the net. The way you can achieve this is:
- Move in sync with your partner to close off gaps.
- Stay on your toes, ready to react to fast volleys and smashes.
- Cut off angles by positioning yourself slightly toward the center.
By mastering net play, you put pressure on your opponents, forcing them into defensive errors. Below is a video explaining what to do at net:
3. Use the Walls to Your Advantage
One of the unique and drawing features of Padel is the walls/glass aspect of the game. Many tennis players come to Padel thinking it’s exactly the same, just a smaller court. However, unlike tennis, Padel allows the ball to rebound off the walls, adding an extra layer of strategy. One thing to remember is that when the ball comes off the glass, it loses speed and adds spin, so you need to be prepared for that change in speed and spin in order to return the ball effectively. To make the most of wall play:
- Let the ball come off the back wall to reset difficult shots.
- Use the side walls for deceptive angles, making it harder for opponents to predict your shots.
- Practice defensive wall play to handle powerful smashes more effectively.
Understanding wall bounces improves your defense and adds new attacking options to your game. Below is a video explaining how you can make the wall/glass your friend and help you win more points:
4. Employ the “Víbora” and “Bandeja” for Controlled Attacks
Now this is for more advanced players or players who have played for a while. These players have realised that you don’t just smash the ball every chance they get, they use controlled attacking shots like the víbora and bandeja to maintain pressure without giving up control. So what are these two shots?
- The víbora is a fast, sliced shot hit from the high-right side, skimming low over the net to keep opponents pinned back.
- The bandeja is a slower, controlled overhead shot used to maintain net position while preventing easy counterattacks.
These shots require precision and practice but will give you a major advantage against defensive opponents. Below is a video explaining when to use what shot, just keep in mind these are advanced shots so don’t assume you’ll get them perfect first try.
5. Strategic Shot Selection and Patience
As stated in point 4, Padel is not a game about hitting winners on every shot, it’s about constructing points and building up to the right moment to strike and win the point. Keep these principles in mind:
- Mix up your shot speed and spin to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.
- Keep deep shots in play to force defensive positioning.
- Stay patient and wait for the perfect opportunity to attack.
Smart shot selection and tactical patience often separate top players from the rest.
Final Thoughts
Mastering these advanced padel strategies will transform your game and make you a formidable opponent. If you want to see these strategies in motion, you can always go and watch games of your favorite players like Juan Lebron or Alejandro Galán, and try and pick up their movements and smashes. Remember to focus on positioning, shot selection, and patience, and you’ll start dictating the pace of every match. Ready to take your padel skills to the next level? Get out on the court and start practicing!
