Padel is a game of strategy, patience, and teamwork, but many players develop habits that make improvement much more difficult. These mistakes are incredibly common, especially among beginners and intermediate players, and they’re some of the first things coaches try to correct.
Here are five bad padel habits that coaches hate seeing on the court.
1. Trying to Finish Every Point Too Early
One of the biggest mistakes in padel is trying to hit a winner at the first opportunity. Unlike tennis, padel rewards patience far more than power.
Many players attempt risky smashes or aggressive shots from poor positions instead of building the point. This often leads to unnecessary errors.
Good coaches teach players to stay patient, wait for the right opportunity, and force opponents into making mistakes before going for the winner.
2. Poor Positioning With Your Partner
Padel is a doubles sport, yet many players move independently instead of as a team. It’s common to see one player at the net while the other stays near the baseline, leaving huge gaps for opponents to exploit.
Coaches constantly emphasize moving together. When your partner moves forward, you should move forward. When they retreat to defend a lob, you should recover with them.
Maintaining proper spacing and moving as a unit is one of the biggest differences between beginner and advanced players.
3. Avoiding the Glass
New players often panic when the ball reaches the back or side glass. Instead of letting the ball rebound naturally, they rush forward and make difficult shots.
Learning to use the glass is one of the most important skills in padel. Experienced coaches encourage players to trust the bounce, stay calm, and use the walls to create better positioning and more controlled shots.
Once players become comfortable with the glass, their defensive game improves dramatically.
4. Ignoring Your Coach’s Advice
Every coach has experienced players who continue repeating the same mistakes despite receiving corrections.
Whether it’s changing grip, improving positioning, or adjusting shot selection, improvement requires players to apply feedback consistently. New techniques may feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s a normal part of learning.
Players who actively listen, ask questions, and practice between lessons almost always improve much faster than those who stick to old habits.
5. Standing Still After Hitting the Ball
Many recreational players admire their shot instead of preparing for the next one. After every stroke, they remain stationary for a second, giving opponents an advantage.
Padel is a continuous movement sport. Players should recover immediately after every shot, adjust their position with their partner, and prepare for the next ball.
Coaches spend countless hours teaching recovery movement because being in the right position often matters more than hitting the perfect shot.
Final Thoughts
Everyone develops bad habits when learning padel, but recognizing them is the first step toward becoming a better player.
By staying patient, improving your positioning, learning to use the glass, listening to your coach, and moving after every shot, you’ll become a more consistent and effective player. These habits may seem simple, but they form the foundation of high-level padel.