Padel Doubles Strategy: How to Communicate and Win as a Team

Winning in padel isn’t just about hitting great shots—it’s about playing effectively as a pair. Doubles is the format 99% of players compete in, and the best teams aren’t necessarily the strongest hitters—they’re the best communicators, movers, and decision-makers.

In this guide, we break down the essential padel doubles strategies so you and your partner can communicate better, position smarter, and start winning more matches together.

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1. How Do You Play Doubles Effectively in Padel?

Successful doubles play starts with teamwork. The goal is simple:

• Stay connected
• Cover the right spaces
• Make coordinated decisions

The best teams make the court feel small for the opponents by moving together, taking balls early, and maintaining pressure at the net.

Your mindset shouldn’t be “my ball vs your ball.”
It should be: How do we solve this point together?

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2. What Is the Most Important Strategy in Padel Doubles?

The number-one rule:

Move forward and defend backwards—together.

Teams who coordinate their attack and defense create fewer gaps, force errors, and dominate the tougher areas (especially the net).

When one player advances, the other should follow.
When one steps back to defend, the partner should drop back too.

Disconnected movement = open spaces = easy passing shots.

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3. How Should Partners Communicate During a Match?

Clear, simple communication can win points on its own.

Here are key communication habits:

• Call the ball early—“mine” or “yours”
• Signal direction on serve (if you’re advanced)
• Call when switching sides
• Encourage after mistakes

Great teams communicate information, not emotion.

Instead of:
❌ “Why did you hit that?”

Say:
✔ “High ball next time—let’s lob.”
✔ “Let’s slow down when we’re defending.”

Good communication keeps the mood calm and the plan clear.

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4. What Is Good Positioning in Padel Doubles?

Good positioning is all about reducing space for your opponents.

Here is basic structure:

When Attacking (Net Position)

• Both players just inside the service line
• Small movements sideways, not backwards
• Bodies facing forward, ready for volleys
  
  
• Your goal:
  Take time away at the net
• Force opponents to lift the ball
• Look for weak returns to finish

When Defending (Back Position)

• Both players behind the baseline
• Weight on heels ready for the rebound off the glass
• Avoid standing halfway—worst of both worlds
  

From defense, focus on:

• Using the glass to reset
• Lobbing to transition
• Protecting spacing between players

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5. How Do You Build Harmony With Your Partner?

Harmony doesn’t mean always getting along—it means making decisions together.

Try this pre-match system:

Discuss roles:

•  Who ^controls movement?
• Who makes tactical calls?
• Who is more confident hitting lobs or smashes?

Agree on patterns:

• If opponent hits short ⇒ attack middle
• If defending ⇒ default to lob
• If pulled wide ⇒ switch automatically

After matches reflect:

• What worked?
• Which patterns won points?
• Which positions got exposed?

Teams who reflect improve faster than teams who simply react.

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Final Takeaway

Padel doubles is built around movement, communication, and smart decision-making—not power. When you coordinate your positioning, switch at the right moments, and communicate clearly, the court shrinks for your opponents and expands for you.

If you want to start winning more matches, focus on:

• Moving together
• Being predictable for each other
• Playing structured patterns
• Supporting emotionally as well as tactically

Small improvements in teamwork lead to massive results.