Playing off the glass: how to make the wall your ally
When to let the ball come off the wall, where to stand and why patience wins points.
The 10ka team 6 min read 
For players coming from tennis, the glass is the biggest novelty in padel. The first instinct is to hit the ball before the wall, from a bad position and under pressure. Once you learn to let the ball come off the glass, the game gets easier and rallies get longer and more fun.
The golden rule: let it go
If the ball is heading for the back glass after the bounce, don’t chase it forward. Turn sideways, take a step or two back and wait for it to come off the wall. The glass slows the ball down and sends it back towards you, so you have more time than if you’d hit it on the way in.
Off the back glass
- Turn your shoulders as soon as you see the ball heading for the wall, as if preparing a forehand or backhand.
- Follow the ball and leave enough room between you and the glass.
- Hit it as it drops, at hip height, and send it over the net at moderate pace.
After the glass, the aim usually isn’t to win the point but to play a calm, deep shot or a lob that buys you time to get back into position.
Side wall and double wall
When the ball hits the side and then the back glass (or the other way round), its path changes. Don’t crowd the wall: step towards the middle and wait for the ball to come out of the corner. At first it’s better to let such a ball come towards the centre than to try a shot from the corner.
Positioning as a pair
When you’re defending, both players stand a little in front of the back glass, not pressed against it. That leaves room to move back when the ball goes into the wall. Partners move together: when one goes forward to the net, the other follows.
Common mistakes
- Hitting the ball before the glass from a bad position, with your back to the net.
- Standing too close to the wall, so the ball jams you.
- Hitting too hard after the glass and ending up in the fence.
- Watching the wall instead of the ball.
On the panorama court at 10ka the glass is clear on every side, which makes it a great place to practise these shots with a view of Fruška Gora. If you’re just starting out, check the basic padel rules first.
FAQ
Can the ball hit the glass on my side?
Yes, but only after it has bounced on the ground. It’s still in play and you can return it.
What if the ball hits the metal fence?
If it bounced on your side first, play goes on just as with the glass, but the rebound off the mesh is unpredictable and usually weaker.
Can I hit the ball into my own wall?
Yes. You’re allowed to play the ball into your own wall so that it goes over the net, but it’s an emergency shot.
