Partner Up! Padel Drills for Doubles at Home

Gather your partner and let’s get ready to improve our padel skills from the comfort of our own home! Padel, a fast-paced and exciting racket sport, has gained immense popularity around the world. With its blend of tennis and squash, it offers a unique and thrilling experience. While we may not be able to hit the courts right now, we can still work on our game with some partner drills at home. So, grab your padel racket and get ready to padel like a pro!

1. The Classic Wall Rally

No padel court? No problem! All you need is a wall and some space to get started with this classic drill. Stand facing the wall with your partner and one of you starts the rally by hitting the ball against the wall. Make sure to maintain a good distance from the wall, approximating the distance you would have from the net in a real game.

As the ball bounces back from the wall, the other player needs to receive it, keeping the rally going. Focus on controlling the ball, using both forehand and backhand shots. This drill is not only a great way to improve your reflexes and control, but it also helps in mastering the art of playing close to the net.

2. Serve and Return Challenge

Serving is a crucial aspect of padel, and this drill is the perfect way to enhance your service skills while also tackling those return shots. Set up a small designated area in your backyard or a spacious room, using either cones or other markers to define the court.

Starting with the serve, try hitting the ball into the designated area. Your partner then returns it, aiming to keep the rally going. Focus on accuracy, power, and placement while serving. Show off your skills by hitting both underarm and overarm serves. This drill helps in developing precise serving techniques while also honing your return skills.

3. Wall Sit and Volley

This drill is all about teamwork and coordination. Stand facing the wall with your partner, keeping a comfortable distance between each other. One of you begins by hitting the ball towards the wall with moderate force.

The other player, instead of receiving the ball directly, performs a wall sit by placing their back against the wall and bending their knees at a 90-degree angle. As the ball rebounds from the wall, the player in the wall sit position needs to stand up and volley the ball back to their partner. Alternate roles after each shot, focusing on quick reflexes and smooth transitions from the wall sit to the volley.

4. The Master of Angles

Angles play a significant role in padel, so this drill will help you fine-tune your ability to make precise shots. Find an open area at home, either indoors or outdoors, and mark a target zone on the ground using tape or chalk.

Stand with your partner and start rallying the ball back and forth. However, this time, concentrate on hitting the ball within the target zone. Explore different angles and trajectories, practicing to hit the ball diagonally towards the target. By mastering angles, you will gain better control over your shots and be able to strategically place the ball in difficult positions for your opponents.

5. The Shuffle Footwork

Footwork plays a crucial role in any racket sport, and padel is no exception. This drill focuses on improving your agility and movement on the padel court. Stand side by side with your partner, leaving some room between you.

One player starts by moving sideways towards the left while the other moves towards the right. Continuously shuffle your feet back and forth, imitating the movement you would make during a padel game. While shuffling, maintain a low and balanced stance, ready to react to any sudden changes or shots from your opponent.

To make it more challenging, you can introduce a ball and incorporate shots while shuffling. This drill enhances your footwork while also simulating game situations, where you need to react swiftly and efficiently.

Remember, even though we’re practicing at home, give it your all and maintain a competitive spirit. These drills not only help in improving your padel game but also ensure that you and your partner have a fun and engaging time together. So, partner up and take your padel skills to the next level with these exciting and effective drills you can do right at home!