Padel tactics drills: 12 games for defence, net and overheads.

1–2: Choose the lob

Drill 1 – One lob: the back pair receives exactly one lob per point. A quality lob opens play; after a poor one both stay back. Score whether timing was sensible, not only whether it cleared opponents.

Drill 2 – Working lob: force an awkward overhead near or behind the service line. It need not clear opponents. Easier: large diagonal target. Harder: a low ball must precede the lob.

3–4: Attack without a lob

Drill 3 – No lob: the back pair may build forward only with chiquita, body channel or a high route to the backhand volley. A controlled net gain scores double; blind running loses the bonus.

Drill 4 – Three exits: coach calls feet, middle or body at feed. Then play opens. Harder: players choose and briefly name their purpose afterwards.

5–6: First volley and transition

Drill 5 – First ball deep: the net pair may initially use only deep volleys or a controlled volley lob. No drops. After two stable volleys, play opens.

Drill 6 – Hit, move, split: the back pair follows a quality ball. Coach signals a direction at opponent contact; only a player split and stable before the signal can react. Bonus for synchronized timing.

7–8: Read height and direction

Drill 7 – Low or high: the front pair feeds random balls. Defenders call high or low before contact and choose crosscourt or line. Start with one direction, then release the choice.

Drill 8 – Glass menu: feeds finish short, rear glass, side glass or double glass. Defenders call direct or glass and first play only middle. Later add lob and chiquita.

9–10: Select the overhead

Drill 9 – Three-ball chain: first ball lob, then controlled overhead, then flat ball, after which play opens. Recover shared net position after the overhead.

Drill 10 – Traffic light: green is a favourable high smash, yellow a controlled bandeja or víbora, red a defensive high ball. Coach varies depth; player calls colour before contact.

11–12: Pressure and transfer

Drill 11 – Two plus one: defenders hold two neutral balls and may follow only the third quality ball. This stops every contact being treated as an attack.

Drill 12 – Bonus match: normal scoring plus a bonus for the learning goal—timely split-step, deep first volley, suitable overhead or shared net gain. Change the goal every four games.

• Easier: slower feed and larger targets
• Harder: less time or a second legal solution
• One observation after each block, not a lecture
• Reduce pace and return to cooperation when control drops

A 60-minute session

Use 10 minutes activation and control, 15 minutes technique, 15 minutes decision work, 15 minutes bonus match and 5 minutes review. Beginners need two themes; advanced pairs can link transition and overhead.

Record one measure, such as seven of ten deep volleys or five timely calls. Change pace or target size only after progress is visible.