Padel Doubles Tactics: How to Win More Points (2026)

Padel is fundamentally a tactical sport. Unlike tennis, where raw power and serve dominance play a huge role, padel rewards patience, positioning, and smart decision-making. Two technically average players who understand tactics will consistently beat two technically better players who don't.

Here are the tactical principles that make the biggest difference at club level.

The Golden Rule: Control the Net

The most important tactical principle in padel is simple: the team at the net wins the point. Net position gives you the best angles for volleys and smashes, forces your opponents into defensive positions, and puts time pressure on every shot they play.

Every tactical decision in padel should be evaluated through this lens: does it help us get to the net, or does it keep us there?

How to Get to the Net

• Follow the serve forward — after serving, both players should advance toward the net. Don't serve and stay at the baseline.
• Use the lob to advance — if you're at the baseline under pressure, a high lob that pushes opponents back gives you time to advance to the net.
• Attack short balls — any ball that lands in the middle of the court is an opportunity to come forward. Hit it with pace and follow it to the net.
• Bandeja and smash for position — don't always try to win the point outright from the back. A well-placed bandeja (overhead slice) that pins opponents to the back wall lets you advance while maintaining control.

The Lob: Your Most Important Shot

The lob is the most underused shot by beginners and the most important shot by experienced players. A high, deep lob over your opponents when they're at the net does three things: forces them back, gives you time to advance, and resets a point you were losing.

• Lob deep — aim for the back wall. A lob that bounces near the service line is attackable; one that bounces near the back wall and continues off the glass is much harder to deal with.
• Lob when under pressure — this is the number one tactical adjustment beginners need to make. When you're pulled wide or pushed deep, lob instead of trying a difficult passing shot.
• Vary the pace — a mix of fast drives and slow lobs keeps your opponents guessing and prevents them from timing their volleys confidently.

Playing from the Back Wall

When you're pushed to the back of the court and the ball comes off the back glass, you have several options:

• Lob — almost always the right choice when at the back wall under pressure.
• Vibora — a fast, flat drive hit with backspin, aimed at the side wall near the net post. High-risk, high-reward.
• Globo — a very high, very deep lob that goes off the back wall and comes back toward the net. Used to reset completely when under extreme pressure.
• Never try to pass down the middle — the middle is covered by two opponents at the net. Play to the sides or lob over them.

Partner Communication

• Call 'mine' or 'yours' for any ball in the middle of the court. Most unforced errors at club level come from miscommunication.
• Move together — when one player moves wide, the other shifts to cover the centre. You should maintain a connected lateral position throughout the point.
• Discuss tactics between points — a simple 'let's attack their backhand' or 'keep lobbing' gives both players the same game plan.
• Support your partner — if your partner is under pressure at the back, hold your position and wait for them to reset with a lob, then advance together.

Common Tactical Mistakes

• Staying at the baseline after the serve — this gives the receiving team the net and the initiative immediately.
• Going for winners from the back wall — the percentage play is almost always a lob. Trying to pass two players at the net from the baseline loses more points than it wins.
• Attacking when out of position — don't try to smash when you're off-balance or too far from the net. A controlled lob is better than a smash into the net.
• Playing independently — padel is a doubles game. Ignoring your partner's position leads to court gaps your opponents will exploit.