Why is the net so important in padel?

The team at the net controls approximately 70-80% of points in organised padel. From the net, you can volley downward at angles, put away overheads, and force opponents into difficult defensive positions at the baseline.

What is poaching in padel?

Poaching is when the net player crosses to their partner's side to intercept a ball — usually a cross-court shot. It requires pre-communication with your partner and confidence that they will cover the gap you leave.

How far from the net should you stand in padel?

The ideal net position is 3-4 metres from the net. This gives you time to react to volleys while being close enough to put away high balls with overheads. Standing too close leaves you vulnerable to lobs.

Dominating the Net in Padel — Volley Positioning, Poaching & Overhead Coverage

In padel, the team that controls the net controls the point. The enclosed court means rallies are longer and raw power is less decisive — but the positional advantage of being at the net remains overwhelming. This guide covers how to position yourself at the net, when to poach, how to handle overheads, and how to maintain your net position once you earn it.

The Ideal Net Position

Distance from the Net

Stand 3–4 metres from the net, roughly in line with the service box line. This position:

Gives you enough time to react to hard-hit balls
Keeps you close enough to angle volleys downward
Allows you to step back for overheads without losing the net

Standing too close (1–2 metres) makes you vulnerable to lobs and gives you no time to react. Standing too far back (5+ metres) means your volleys travel upward, giving opponents time to recover.

Lateral Position

Each player covers their half of the court. The imaginary dividing line runs through the centre of the net. Key adjustments:

When your partner has the ball on the baseline: Shift slightly toward the centre to cover the middle
When the ball is on one side: Both players shift as a unit toward that side — the court moves with the ball
When opponents hit wide: The nearest net player covers the angle, the other covers the centre

Volley Tactics at the Net

Target Selection

From the net, your volleys should be directed to create maximum difficulty for the baseline players:

At the feet: The most effective target. A ball at the opponent’s feet forces them to bend, lift the ball, and gives you an easy put-away on the next shot.

Down the centre: Volleys down the middle exploit the seam between two opponents. Both players hesitate, unsure who should take it. This is the highest-percentage play in many situations.

Wide angles: Use when you have an open court to hit into. Wide volleys force opponents to stretch and can create outright winners — but miss wide and you give them a free point.

Volley Depth

Not every volley should be hit hard. Vary your depth:

Short, angled volleys pull opponents forward and break their baseline rhythm
Deep volleys to the feet keep opponents pinned back
Drop volleys (soft, short) work when opponents are deep behind the baseline

The Block Volley

When a hard ball comes at you, use a block volley — a compact, controlled volley with minimal backswing. The ball’s pace does the work. Focus on redirecting rather than adding power.

Poaching — When and How

Poaching is crossing to your partner’s side to intercept a cross-court ball. It is one of the most aggressive net tactics in padel.

When to Poach

When you read the opponent’s body language indicating a cross-court shot
When your partner has hit a strong ball that limits the opponent’s options
When the opponents fall into a predictable cross-court pattern

How to Poach

Signal your partner before the point (or between rallies) — a closed fist behind your back means “I’m going”
Move as the opponent swings, not before — moving too early reveals your intention
Aim the volley into the open court on the side you came from — the gap you left
Your partner covers by shifting to your original side

When Not to Poach

When your partner is under heavy pressure and the ball could go anywhere
When you are not confident in the read — a failed poach opens the entire court
At beginner level — the coordination cost usually outweighs the benefit

Overhead Coverage

When opponents lob, the net team faces a critical decision.

Ball Assessment

Can I reach it without retreating past the service line? → Play an overhead (smash, bandeja, or vibora)

Will it pass over my head? → Retreat, let the ball bounce, play off the glass, and try to recover the net

Overhead Selection

Overhead	When	Goal
Smash	Short lob, ball below fence	End the point
Bandeja	Medium-high lob, uncertain	Maintain net position
Vibora	Good height, confident	Attack with pace and spin

Default to the bandeja when in doubt. Keeping the net is worth more than going for a risky winner.

Switching on the Lob

When a lob passes over one player:

The player nearest the ball calls it and retreats
The other player shifts across to cover the vacated side
After playing the ball from the back, both players try to recover the net together

Never leave a gap at the net while one player chases a lob. If both players must retreat, do it together.

Maintaining Net Control

Winning the net is only half the battle — staying there is equally important.

After Every Overhead

Immediately return to your 3–4 metre position. Many players hit a bandeja and then drift backward, gradually losing the net without realising.

After a Deep Volley

If your volley pushes opponents deep, hold your ground. Resist the temptation to advance closer — your current position is already optimal.

When to Give Up the Net

Sometimes holding the net is impossible:

A perfect lob passes both players
Opponents hit a hard, low ball through the middle that forces you backward
You or your partner are out of position after a scramble

In these situations, both players retreat to the baseline together. Regroup, lob, and look for the next chance to advance.

Common Net Play Mistakes

Ball-watching. At the net, watch the opponent’s racket and body, not the ball. The racket tells you where the ball is going before it gets there.

Standing still. Good net players make small adjustments constantly — a half-step left, a shuffle right. Stay on the balls of your feet and move with the rally.

Going for too much on volleys. A controlled volley to the feet is better than a wild stab at a winner. Patience at the net wins more points than aggression.

Ignoring your partner. Communicate constantly — “mine,” “yours,” “switch,” “stay.” Silence at the net leads to hesitation and missed balls.

Useful Links

The Bandeja — the key overhead for net players
The Vibora — the aggressive overhead option
Padel Doubles Tactics — full doubles strategy
Padel Volley — volley technique guide
Defensive Tactics — what to do when you lose the net