Playing the glass: read back-wall and double-glass rebounds.
The glass is not an obstacle; it can create time. Separate flight, first bounce and rebound angle to defend deep balls calmly and choose a more useful reply.
When to let the ball pass
If a fast or deep ball passes you and reaches the rear glass after the floor, let it travel, create space to the side and play the rebound before the second bounce. If the ball stays short, take it before the wall.
- Floor first
- before an opponent's wall
- Before bounce 2
- the return must be made
- Read first
- then choose space and contact
What the rules allow
An incoming shot must land on your floor first. It may then rebound from the rear or side wall and remain in play until a second floor bounce.
You may also use your own glass to send the return over the net. If your shot hits your own fence or floor before crossing, however, you lose the point.
Back glass: make room before hitting
Decide early whether the ball is short enough to take directly or deep enough to use the glass. For a glass ball, move sideways out of its line, turn shoulders and hips and let the rebound arrive at a contact point in front.
Standing against the pane crowds the swing; retreating too early creates poor balance. Adjustment steps and a compact stroke produce more control than a large forehand or backhand.
Side wall and double glass
With double glass, the entry angle determines whether the ball reaches side or rear glass first. Read its direction after the floor bounce instead of following it blindly into the corner.
A high controlled ball through the middle is a useful beginner exit. Later, train the different rebound patterns, turns and an attacking bajada from a high bounce; the LTA treats double glass as a dedicated coaching skill.
A safe learning sequence
Start with slow straight feeds to the back glass and catch the rebound to learn spacing. Then return it under control. Add diagonal side-plus-back-wall feeds only when the single-glass ball feels predictable.
- Call direct or glass before the bounce
- Contact the rebound in front
- Use height and middle for safety
- Add pace or attack only afterwards
Try it on court
Put the theory into practice. Find a padel club in Austria or check current court availability.
Rules and glass practice
The legal sequence comes from current FIP rules. LTA tutorials and its double-glass coach workshop provide the learning progression.
Editorially reviewed on 10 August 2026