The Four Positions Every Point Passes Through
Understanding padel as a sequence of positions, not shots.
Padel points follow a shape. Learn it and your decisions get easier.
Both Back
The serving return phase. Objective: get one lob in and move forward together.
One Up, One Back
The most unstable position. Objective: fix it within two shots, in either direction.
Both Up
Where points are won. Objective: keep the ball low and at the feet, and defend lobs without retreating.
Both Back Again
You have been lobbed. Objective: patience, use the glass and wait for a short ball to lob again.
Move as a Unit
Whatever the phase, you and your partner move forward, back and sideways together. A metre of separation is a target.
Know Your Objective
Each phase has one aim. Trying to win the point from the wrong phase is the commonest mistake in club padel.
Watch a Match With This Lens
Next time you watch, ignore the shots and just track the four positions. The game makes far more sense.