Why early padel lessons matter more than the perfect racket

Starting your padel journey with the right guidance can make all the difference in your long-term progress and enjoyment of the sport. This article explores why investing in lessons early on is far more valuable than focusing on equipment, and offers practical advice on when and how to begin professional instruction. Read on to discover how you can avoid common pitfalls and set yourself up for lasting improvement on the court.

Video created by: @Elchiniconsejo

The importance of padel lessons for long-term improvement

The creator from El chini consejo emphasizes that taking padel lessons is not just worthwhile—it is essential for anyone serious about improving their game. Drawing from over a decade of personal experience, the reviewer shares that playing for 10–11 years without instruction led to the accumulation of bad habits and technical flaws. Despite believing he played well, he later realized that his self-taught approach had ingrained numerous mistakes that proved difficult to correct, even after years of subsequent lessons.

This insight forms the core argument: proper technique, positioning, and understanding of padel are far more important than simply owning the perfect racket. While a well-suited racket can enhance comfort and enjoyment, it cannot compensate for fundamental technical shortcomings. The reviewer insists that investing in lessons early on will not only help players enjoy the sport more but also lead to greater success on the court.

When to start taking padel lessons for maximum benefit

One of the most practical questions addressed is when to begin taking lessons. The creator suggests that, ideally, players would start from their very first day on court. However, recognizing that lessons are an added expense, he offers a more cost-effective approach: play enough to gain a basic understanding of the game, then invest in instruction.

According to the channel, the right time to start lessons is after:

  • Learning the basic rules and court positioning from friends or casual games
  • Understanding fundamental shots like the volley and bandeja
  • Playing approximately 6–10 matches (about two months if playing weekly)

By reaching this level before seeking professional instruction, players can skip the most basic explanations and focus their lessons on correcting technique and positioning. This approach, the reviewer notes, can save the cost of the first two or three lessons—often spent on the basics—resulting in potential savings of €60–€90 (with lessons typically costing €20–€30 each in Valencia).

How many lessons to take and at what frequency

Once a player is ready to begin lessons, the reviewer recommends purchasing a pack of 10 classes to start. Spacing these out at a rate of one or two lessons per week is considered ideal for beginners. This schedule allows players to quickly address and correct the minor bad habits that may have developed during their first matches, before those habits become deeply ingrained and much harder to fix.

After completing the initial set of lessons, the creator suggests continuing with instruction, but at a slightly reduced frequency. The minimum recommended is one lesson every two weeks. Any less frequent, such as one class per month, is unlikely to provide enough continuity for meaningful improvement. The reviewer stresses that regular correction from a coach is necessary to prevent bad habits from taking root.

The cost of padel lessons and how to save money

Padel is not a cheap sport. Beyond the cost of rackets, equipment, and court rentals, lessons add a significant expense. In Valencia, the reviewer notes, lessons typically range from €20 to €30 per session. By following the advice to start lessons only after acquiring basic knowledge and experience, players can avoid paying for the most elementary instruction and focus their investment on technical and tactical improvement.

For those on a tight budget, the channel’s advice is clear: take lessons as frequently as possible within your means, but do not let more than two weeks pass between sessions. This balance ensures steady progress without unnecessary financial strain.

Why correcting bad habits early is crucial for padel players

The reviewer’s personal story serves as a cautionary tale. After 11 years of playing without guidance, he found that the bad habits he developed were extremely difficult—if not impossible—to eliminate, even after years of lessons. Early intervention with professional instruction can prevent these issues, making long-term improvement much easier and more satisfying.

He highlights that even with extensive knowledge of correct technique and positioning, deeply ingrained habits are hard to break. This underscores the importance of addressing technical flaws as soon as possible, rather than allowing them to become permanent obstacles to progress.

Summary of recommendations for padel lesson timing and frequency

  • Play 6–10 matches to learn the basics before starting lessons
  • Begin with a pack of 10 classes, ideally at 1–2 per week
  • After the initial pack, continue with at least one class every two weeks
  • Do not let more than two weeks pass between lessons to maintain progress
  • Invest in lessons early to avoid developing hard-to-correct bad habits

By following these guidelines, players can enjoy padel more, improve faster, and ultimately save money by avoiding the need to unlearn years of incorrect technique. The reviewer’s experience serves as a strong endorsement for prioritizing lessons over gear upgrades, especially in the early stages of a player’s journey.

Article written by

Practica Padel Team

Practica Padel Team

Specialists in curating insights from padel coaches, professional players, and trusted reviewers. Our goal is to make expert knowledge easy to understand and accessible for every player.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the main benefits of taking padel lessons early on?

Taking padel lessons early helps you develop proper technique, positioning, and understanding of the game. This prevents bad habits from forming, making long-term improvement much easier and more enjoyable. Early instruction ensures your progress is built on a solid foundation, rather than having to correct ingrained mistakes later.

When is the best time to start taking padel lessons?

The ideal time to start lessons is after you have played 6 to 10 matches, learned the basic rules, and understand fundamental shots like the volley and bandeja. This allows you to skip the most basic explanations and focus your lessons on improving technique and positioning.

How often should I take padel lessons as a beginner?

Beginners are recommended to take one or two lessons per week, ideally starting with a pack of 10 classes. After the initial set, continuing with at least one lesson every two weeks helps maintain steady progress and prevents bad habits from developing.

How do padel lessons compare to investing in a high-end racket?

Padel lessons are far more valuable for improvement than buying the perfect racket. While a good racket can enhance comfort, it cannot correct technical flaws. Proper instruction ensures you develop the right skills, which is essential for long-term success and enjoyment.

What is the typical cost of padel lessons and how can I save money?

Padel lessons usually cost between €20 and €30 per session in Valencia. To save money, play enough to learn the basics before starting lessons, so you can focus on technical improvement and avoid paying for elementary instruction. Buying lesson packs may also offer better value.

Who should prioritize taking padel lessons?

Anyone serious about improving at padel, regardless of skill level, should prioritize lessons. Beginners benefit most by preventing bad habits, but even experienced players can gain from regular instruction to refine technique and address any flaws before they become permanent.

What happens if I delay taking padel lessons for several years?

Delaying lessons can lead to the development of deeply ingrained bad habits that are difficult to correct, even with years of instruction. Early intervention with professional coaching makes it much easier to build good technique and avoid obstacles to long-term improvement.