In this episode of Padel Up: Beginner's Guide, host Jack Mercer breaks down one of the most important fundamentals in the game: court positioning. Whether you're picking up a padel racket for the very first time or you've had a handful of sessions and want to stop feeling lost on court, this episode is essential listening.

Jack walks through the four key positions every beginner needs to understand — the left and right net positions, and the left and right back positions — explaining not just where to stand, but why each position exists and how it fits into the broader strategy of a doubles game.

You'll learn why controlling the net is so powerful, how to use the back wall to your advantage when defending, and what to do when you and your partner end up in an asymmetric formation with one player up and one player back. Jack also covers the difference in responsibilities between the right-side and left-side player, giving you a clear framework to build your game around.

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the importance of playing as a pair. Padel is a doubles sport, and your positioning always needs to account for where your partner is standing. Jack offers a simple pre-rally awareness drill that any beginner can start using immediately to sharpen their court sense.

Perfect for new padel players looking to improve their footwork, court awareness, and doubles strategy, this episode gives you the tactical foundation to start playing with real intention.

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