Padel doubles tactics: The best team strategies for more points
Padel is more than just technique and ball control—if you want to be successful as a team, you need the right tactics.In doubles, your teamwork is the main factor in whether you score points or lose.This guide will teach you the most important padel doubles tactics for effective point scoring as a team.Padel pro Lana shows you how to optimize your positioning, avoid mistakes and act cleverly in combination with your partner—ideal for beginners and advanced players.
Why the team tactics make the difference in padel doubles
Padel is played almost exclusively in doubles—and that's precisely what makes tactics so crucial.Unlike in singles, simply hitting the ball is not enough.“The right padel doubles tactic combines communication, movement and the right teamwork,” says padel expert Lana, based on many successful matches.Those who complement each other on the court gain points—those who get in each other's way lose them.She also adds:“Anyone who really wants to score points needs a feel for the right moment and teamwork on the court.”
Padel doubles strategies: This is how you score points in the team
A successful padel doubles match depends largely on team tactics where you complement and support each other.Lana reveals the best doubles strategies for your padel match.
Find a suitable team partner
Even choosing your padel partner is a part of the strategy.After all, you need to understand each other—and that without saying much.But it's about even more than that:“Ideally, find a teammate who has a similar skill level to you—the same applies to the opponents, of course.“This way you can train on an equal footing and remain challenged—but no one gets overwhelmed,” advises Lana.
Acts as a unit
For Lana, that's rule number one.“Defend together, attack together—never one alone,” the experienced padel player says.“That sounds simple, but especially in heated game situations, it's easy to switch to individual playing.”Make a conscious effort to move and position yourselves as a team:Play on one line—either both at the back or both at the net.Why?This way you cover the field more efficiently and avoid gaps.
Use lobs as a tactical tool
The lob is a particularly high ball that can become a clever tactical advantage in padel strategy.“This way you can move back to the net—there you have control over the point,” Lana explains.At the same time, the following applies:If you receive a lob or a ball lands behind you—both of you immediately return to the baseline.“Because attack is played at the net and defense at the baseline.That's the golden rule.”
Talk to each other—communication is a tactic
Many turnovers occur because both players hesitate or want to play the same ball.For this reason:Clear communication is a part of your doubles tactics.“Short, clear instructions like ‘I’ or ‘Yours’ not only prevent you from getting in each other’s way, they also ensure that someone actually goes and that both don’t hesitate,” says our padel pro.“Also, talk to each other between rallies if something is unclear.”
Distribute tasks beforehand
"Who will take over the middle?Who’s watching the boards?” are questions that Lana says should be clarified within the team before the match.“When everyone knows what their job is, you avoid misunderstandings and don't just play alongside each other, but truly as a unit.Because good communication is often the key to scoring points.”
Training padel tactics as a team: Exercises for better coordination
Especially for beginners, it is worthwhile to practice padel doubles tactics and team communication.Lana has a simple exercise that can specifically improve coordination between people.Here’s how it works:
1.Start on the baseline and play a few controlled balls back and forth to get into it. This will help you find your rhythm together and familiarise yourselves as a team.
2.As soon as a ball comes high enough, seize the opportunity and advance to the net as a team. That's where you have the best control over the point - that's where you want to go when the opportunity presents itself.
3.After the attacking ball, you then return to the baseline together. This trains your dynamics, keeps you flexible and strengthens your teamwork - just like in a match when your opponent suddenly counters.
4.These changes between attack and retreat are extremely common in padel - the better you practise this in training, the more confident and effective you will be in the game.
Success on the padel court through clever team tactics
Whether a beginner or an advanced player—those who score points in padel doubles not only play technically clean, but also think tactically as a team.The best padel players are not necessarily the fastest or strongest, but those who can read their partners, understand the game and act cleverly together.With clear communication, good positioning, and targeted use of tactical tools like the lob, you can gain decisive advantages on the court.Train your coordination, stay flexible in attack and defense—and above all:Stay connected throughout the game.Because that is precisely the essence of successful padel doubles tactics.This way you not only score more points—but also have a lot of fun playing.
Frequently asked questions about padel doubles tactics
The best tactic is based on clear communication, joint positioning at the net, and the targeted use of lobs to control the playing field.
Practice specific game situations with your partner: e.g., moving forward to the net together after a lob or coordinating shots through the middle.
Common mistakes include a lack of communication, uncoordinated running paths, and running at the same balls simultaneously.
Profile of padel expert Lana
Name: Lana Büttner
Age: 33 years
Profession: Functional health coach, competitive athlete, national padel player
Sporting qualifications:
- Former tennis player
- National padel player for the German national team
- Holistic training to become a Functional Health Coach
That's what makes Lana special: Lana loves to accompany people holistically on their path to better health, well-being and performance. At the same time, she lives her passion for padel, trains intensively and plays in the German national padel team.
