Playing Padel in Hot Weather
Also known as: padel in the heat, padel hot weather, padel in hot weather, hot weather padel, playing padel in summer, padel heat tips
In the heat, the padel ball bounces higher and plays faster. Choose control over power, keep your lobs deep and give balls off the back glass extra room. Drink at regular intervals, wear sun protection and play early or late in the day when you can. If you feel dizzy, unwell or unusually tired, stop and rest in the shade, and get medical help if you don't feel better soon.
A padel ball is filled with gas under pressure. Temperature changes how springy that gas and the rubber are, so a warm ball bounces higher than a cold one. Coaches report that in hot weather the ball comes off the racket faster, the glass plays livelier and the racket's foam feels softer. The extra pace shrinks your margin for error. Placing the ball well works better than hitting harder.
Adjust your tactics to the livelier ball. A short lob sits up higher, so the opponents can smash it out of the court more easily. Keep your lobs deep. Balls also come further off the back glass, so start a step further from it and let the ball come to you. At the net, a firm, controlled volley or bandeja usually beats an all-out smash.
Heat is also hard on the body. The LTA advises drinking at regular intervals whether or not you feel thirsty, and starting slowly on very hot days. It notes that the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm in the UK. Use sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses, and take breaks in the shade. In matches played under FIP rules, you can't drink between points, so drink during the breaks at changes of ends and between sets.
Stop playing if you feel dizzy, unwell or overly tired, and rest in the shade. Get medical help if you don't feel better soon. Look out for your partner and your opponents too.
Tips by skill level
Bring plenty of water and drink at every break in play. Aim your lobs deep, over the opponents' heads, rather than high and short.
Use the warm-up to test how far the ball comes off the back glass today. Set your starting position and lob depth before the first point.
Example
On a hot afternoon, a pair keeps losing points when their short lobs get smashed out of the court. They switch to deeper lobs, stand a step off the back glass and drink at every break. The rallies swing back their way.
Why it matters
Heat changes how the ball behaves and how your body copes. Small changes to your tactics and habits help you play well and look after yourself.
Common mistakes
- Hitting harder because the ball feels fast
- Playing short lobs that sit up for an easy smash
- Standing too close to the back glass on a lively bounce
- Waiting until you feel thirsty to drink
Frequently asked questions
How do I play padel in the heat?
Choose control over power, because the ball bounces higher and plays faster. Keep lobs deep and stand a little further from the back glass. Drink regularly, use shade and sun protection, and stop to rest if you feel unwell.
Does the padel ball bounce more when it's hot?
Yes. A warm ball is springier, so it bounces higher and plays faster. Smashes leave the court more easily, and balls come further off the back glass.
When can I drink during a padel match?
In matches played under FIP rules, you can't drink between points. Drink during the breaks at changes of ends and between sets. There is no break at the change after the first game of a set. In friendly games, agree on drink breaks before you start, especially on hot days.
What should I wear to play padel in hot weather?
The LTA suggests sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, a cap and wraparound sunglasses in strong sun. Light clothing with a tight weave helps keep the sun off your skin.
Sources
- LTA — Guidance on staying safe on court in the heat this summer (hydration, timing of play, sun protection, when to stop)
- Padel Magazine (Franck Binisti, July 2026) — Summer is changing padel (balls bounce more, foam softens, precision over power)
- The Padel School — Weather Affecting Padel (heat: bouncier balls, livelier glass)
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL) — Measurement at Home: Report on Temperature Bounce (gas pressure and rubber springiness change with temperature)
- International Padel Federation (FIP) Rules of Padel, review of application 01.01.2026 — Rule 2.5 (no food or drink between points; change-of-ends breaks), printed p. 12
Related terms
- Playing Padel in Cold WeatherCold weather makes the padel ball bounce lower and play slower. Smashes are less likely to leave the court, and balls die sooner after they hit the back glass. Stand a little closer to the glass, bend your knees for low balls, and use more volleys, bandejas and víboras than big smashes.
- Playing Padel in Wind and SunIn wind, adjust your lob first: hit it softer with the wind behind you and harder into it. Expect lobs and overheads to drift once they rise above the glass, and take extra steps to get under them. In sun, lob more when your opponents are looking into it, and be patient before going for a winning overhead.
- Padel Ball Pressure and BounceUse padel balls, not tennis balls. They look alike, but a padel ball is pressurised lower and is slightly smaller, so it bounces lower and plays slower. FIP rules set its internal pressure at 4.6 to 5.2 kg per square inch, about 10 to 11.5 psi. A new tennis ball is about 14 psi. FIP rules also allow a lower-bounce ball for play more than 1,000 m above sea level.
- Defensive LobA Defensive Lob is a high, flat or slightly underspin lob hit from a difficult position to reset the point and force opponents away from the net, prioritising height and depth over power or spin.
- Back GlassThe Back Glass is the tall transparent wall at each end of a padel court. This players use intentionally to extend rallies by letting shots rebound back into play.
- Common Padel InjuriesPadel injuries include overuse problems like elbow and shoulder pain, and acute ones like calf strains, ankle sprains and knocks against the walls. General prevention includes a warm-up, padel shoes, sound technique, a suitable racket and building playing time gradually. Stop if something hurts, and see a qualified medical professional for pain that persists.
Related guides & benchmarks
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