Learn padel: a practical plan for your first few weeks
That first long rally makes you want another. A small plan helps turn the excitement into progress: practise one idea, try it in a game and build on it next time. You do not need to learn every shot at once.
Take this onto court
If your schedule allows, combine a focused practice session with a relaxed match each week. Start with serving, returning and steady rallies. Then add movement as a pair, the glass and a controlled approach to the net.
- One focus
- practise one idea deliberately
- Four building blocks
- repeat at your own pace
- Play too
- try what you learn in doubles
Week 1: keep a rally going together
Start opposite each other behind the service lines and rally gently with forehands and backhands. Aim for five shared contacts, restarting after a miss. If that becomes comfortable, try for ten.
Next, practise ten serves and returns each towards large target areas. Finish with short doubles points so you learn scoring and positions too. The contact counts are practice targets, not a test.
Week 2: move as a pair
With four players, start one pair at the back and one at the net. The net pair feeds under control; the defenders look for a lob that buys time to move forward. Settle your movement before the opponents hit.
Swap roles after five points. Ask just one question: were we both ready for the next ball? A calm volley into the middle is a useful first target.
From steady rallies to moving together
Two building blocks from the plan: keep the ball going, then recognise when there is time to advance. Contact counts are adjustable practice goals.
- A–D: players
- Ball path
- Player movement
- Target area
- Outline: possible next position
Week 1: five shared contacts
A and B start behind the service lines. The target deliberately leaves room away from the walls.
- Rally gently and let each ball bounce once in this exercise.
- Count five shared racket contacts. Restart the count after a miss.
- When that feels comfortable, try ten. Then practise ten serves and returns each into large targets.
Week 2: advance only with time
A plays a high lob towards the deep target. Dashed paths show an option, not an automatic next step.
- A and B check whether the lob actually pushes the opponents back. Stay ready to defend if it falls short.
- Only advance together when there is enough time. Slow down and get ready before the opponents hit.
- Swap pairs after five points. Ask: were we both ready for the next ball?
Top view: arrows show direction, not ball height or speed. Positions and target areas are examples; adapt them to the ball and your level.
Week 3: get comfortable with the glass
One player feeds ten slow balls towards the other player’s back glass. Let the ball bounce and reach the wall, make space, then return it before the second bounce. Swap roles afterwards.
Once that feels comfortable, mix in shorter balls that need playing before the wall. Now you are practising a decision too. Double glass and fast attacks off the wall can wait.
Week 4: take it into a match
Play relaxed doubles with one shared aim: recognising a good chance to lob, or being ready for the first volley after serving. After a few games, briefly note what is working better.
Four weeks is a suggestion, not a promise. Repeat a block when you need more time and adjust the workload and breaks to suit you. Enjoying the game is a good reason to keep going.
Find lessons that fit you
A taster lets you meet the coach and group. Ask about numbers, language, entry level, rental equipment and the session’s focus. Individual lessons offer specific feedback; groups bring varied playing situations.
A useful course starts with your current game and gives a few clear tasks. FIP Academy provides coach education; the Austrian federation lists coaches and course examples. That does not establish any individual coach’s qualification, so ask directly.
Try it on court
Ready for your next rally? Find a club in Austria and take one idea from this guide onto the court.
About these tips and sources
This guide draws on the sources linked below. The relevant federation’s rulebook is the authority for official rules.
The drills are our own practice suggestions. Adapt the timing, scoring and difficulty to your level; a coaching session can provide individual feedback.
The date below records the latest editorial review. Figures and offers retain the dates stated alongside them.
View the sources usedCoach education and Austrian formats
This four-week plan is our practice suggestion, not an official FIP curriculum. Federation sources help you explore coaching and education; past workshops illustrate formats rather than current availability.
Editorially reviewed on 14 October 2026