The short version. Play as a pair, side by side, always level. Two places to be: at the net (two to three metres from it) or at the back (two to three metres in front of the glass). Move between them together, and cover the middle.
Two positions, not four
A padel pair is either attacking from the net or defending from the back. The in-between, around the service line, is where points are lost, so treat it as somewhere you pass through.
The rope
Imagine you and your partner are tied together with three metres of rope. When one moves forward, the other does too. When one is pulled wide, the other shifts towards the middle. This keeps the gap between you, and the diagonal behind you, closed.
Who takes the middle?
Agree it before you start. Most pairs give the middle ball to the player whose forehand is in the middle (with two right-handers, that is the player on the left), or to whoever played the previous shot. The worst answer is both of you, or neither.
When you are lobbed
If the lob goes over your partner, you may need to switch: you cross behind to chase it while your partner moves across to cover your side. Call it early (“mine”, “yours”, “switch”). Then rebuild the pair: get level again, back or forward.
Moving between back and net
- Forward after a good lob or chiquita, together, and stop at the net before the opponents hit.
- Back when you are lobbed and can’t reach it with an overhead. Retreat together, turn, and play it off the glass.
The next question is who plays which side; see left or right?.
Quick answers
Where should I stand at the net in padel?
About two to three metres from the net, level with your partner and in the middle of your half, ready to move together.
Should both players be at the net?
Ideally, yes. One up and one back leaves a gap in the middle and diagonal that good opponents will use. Move forward and back as a pair.