Every padel player, no matter how talented, started as a beginner making the same fundamental errors. At Padel Malta, we've coached thousands of newcomers and seen these mistakes repeated time and again. The good news is that once you're aware of them, they're surprisingly easy to fix. Here are the ten most common pitfalls and how to overcome them.

1. Standing Too Close to the Glass

New players at Padel Malta often position themselves right against the back glass, leaving no room to play balls that bounce off it. The wall is your friend, but you need space to let the ball come to you. Stand at least two metres from the glass during rallies, giving yourself room to react when the ball rebounds.

Practice letting balls bounce and come off the glass before hitting them. It feels counterintuitive at first, but patience with wall balls is a skill that separates beginners from intermediate players.

2. Swinging Too Hard

Padel rewards control and placement far more than power. Many beginners at Padel Malta try to hit winners on every shot, leading to countless unforced errors. The enclosed court means your opponents can reach most balls, so a powerful but inaccurate shot rarely wins points.

Focus on making clean contact and placing the ball strategically. A well-placed medium-paced shot is worth far more than a wild power attempt. As your technique improves, you'll generate power naturally without sacrificing accuracy.

3. Ignoring the Lob

The lob is one of padel's most important shots, yet beginners often forget it exists. When opponents are dominating at the net, a high lob over their heads buys you time and can reset the point entirely. At Padel Malta, we emphasize that a good lob is never a defensive surrender – it's a tactical weapon.

Practice hitting lobs with enough height to clear your opponents and enough depth to land near the back glass. This shot will become one of your most valuable tools.

4. Poor Court Positioning with Your Partner

Padel is a doubles game, and moving as a unit with your partner is crucial. Beginners at Padel Malta often drift apart, leaving gaps that opponents exploit. Remember the invisible string concept – if your partner moves left, you move left. If they go back, you go back.

Communication is key. Call for balls, discuss positioning between points, and always know where your partner is on the court.

5. Rushing the Net Too Early

While controlling the net is important in padel, charging forward before you've earned it leads to easy passing shots for your opponents. At Padel Malta, we teach players to approach the net gradually, moving forward after quality shots that put pressure on the opposition.

Wait for a weak return or a ball that lands short before committing to the net. Patience in your approach will result in a much stronger net position.

6. Neglecting the Volley

Your net game wins points in padel, and that means developing solid volleys. Many beginners at Padel Malta feel uncomfortable at the net and retreat to the baseline where they feel safer. But the baseline is actually the defensive position – you want to be at the net.

Practice your volleys regularly. Keep your racket up, use short, punchy movements, and aim to guide the ball rather than hit through it.

7. Taking Your Eye Off the Ball

It sounds basic, but watching the ball until contact is something many beginners forget. The excitement of the rally, thinking about where to hit next, or watching your opponents can all distract you from the fundamental task of making clean contact.

At Padel Malta, our coaches constantly remind players: watch the ball hit your racket. This simple focus improves your consistency dramatically.

8. Using the Wrong Grip

Many tennis players come to Padel Malta using their tennis grips, which don't work as well in padel. The continental grip (like holding a hammer) is your foundation for most padel shots. It allows you to switch quickly between forehand and backhand without changing your hand position.

Spend time getting comfortable with this grip. It may feel strange initially, but it's essential for developing proper padel technique.

9. Serving Without a Plan

Beginners often just try to get the serve in play without thinking about placement or spin. At Padel Malta, we encourage players to view the serve as the first shot of the point, not just a formality. Even at beginner level, you can target corners, vary your pace, and add slice to make returns more difficult.

Develop two or three serve variations and use them strategically based on your opponent's positioning and weaknesses.

10. Getting Frustrated

Perhaps the most damaging mistake is letting frustration affect your game. Padel has a learning curve, and everyone at Padel Malta has experienced tough days on court. Negative emotions lead to tense muscles, rushed decisions, and more errors – creating a frustrating cycle.

Accept that mistakes are part of learning. Stay positive, focus on improvement rather than perfection, and remember why you started playing – because padel is fun!

Recognising these common mistakes is the first step to correcting them. Book a coaching session at Padel Malta, and we'll help you break these habits and develop the technique to take your game to the next level.