How to choose a padel coach: when a private or a group lesson makes sense, what to ask before the first session, how to read reviews and find lessons in an app.
You've played a few matches with friends and you're hooked, but the ball still gets away from you off the back glass and your serve lands wherever it likes. The obvious next step is a padel coach — except the choice is bigger than it looks: private or group, this coach or that one, a single session or a block. Here's how to decide without guesswork.
Short answer: choose a padel coach based on your goal, not a name. A private lesson makes sense when you want to fix a specific shot or improve fast; a group lesson works when you're learning the basics, want more playing time and want to meet people for matches. Before the first session, ask about the group's level, the plan and the cancellation rules — and read reviews for the comments, not just the stars.
Contents
- Private or group lesson: which do you need?
- What to ask a coach before your first lesson
- How to read ratings and reviews
- How many lessons before your first match?
- How PadelDropIn helps you find a coach
- Etiquette: be on time and cancel early
- FAQ
- How to get started
Private or group lesson: which do you need?
Neither format is better across the board — there's just the one that fits the problem you have right now.
A private lesson (you and the coach, or you plus one to three friends) makes sense when:
- you want to fix one specific shot, for example the bandeja (a controlled overhead that sends the ball deep without taking a big risk);
- you're preparing for a tournament or want quick progress in a short time;
- you want the coach watching only you and your partner for the whole session.
Here's what that looks like in practice: in the individual session below, the work centres on a single shot, the forehand volley (hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces, usually at the net).
A group lesson, often called a clinic (a short course or session for several players built around one theme, such as "net play"), makes sense when:
- you're just starting and need lots of repetitions of the basic shots;
- you want to face different playing styles rather than the same pair every week;
- you're looking for people at a similar level to play matches with later.
A combination that works for many recreational players: group lessons for rhythm and company, plus the odd private session when you get stuck on something specific. If you're looking for lessons for your child, see our guide to padel for kids and junior lessons.
What to ask a coach before your first lesson
A quick chat before the first session can save you a few wasted ones. Ask:
- What level is the lesson for? In a group, players need to be close in level. If you're the only beginner among experienced players, you won't get much out of it.
- How many people will be on court? For a group lesson, ask for the exact number of places; for a private one, ask whether you can bring a partner.
- What's the plan? A good coach can tell you what you're working on today and what comes next — not just "we'll hit a few balls".
- What do you actually want? Name your goal: a more reliable serve, playing off the glass, your first tournament. That lets the coach shape the session around you.
- Where do I pay, and what's the cancellation policy? Ask up front so there are no awkward surprises later.
Ask about experience, too — what kind of players they usually work with and whether they coach beginners. A title on its own doesn't guarantee their style will suit you, so treat the first lesson as a trial.
How to read ratings and reviews
Stars are a good starting point, but they're not the whole story.
- Look at the number of ratings, not just the average. Five stars from two reviews says less than a slightly lower score from fifty.
- Read the comments. "Patient with beginners" and "great for competitive players" are two different recommendations — look for the one that sounds like you.
- Watch for patterns. If several people mention lateness or lessons that "just pass the time", take note. One bad comment could just be a bad day.
- Check whether people come back. A player who would book again is a stronger signal than general praise.
How many lessons before your first match?
There's no magic number. Some people need just a couple of lessons to learn the basic rules and court positioning; others prefer to play right away and take lessons alongside. Our advice: once you can serve, return the ball after it comes off the back glass and know where to stand as a pair, start playing matches with people at your level — and keep taking lessons. What you learn in a lesson only sticks once you use it in a game. If the rules are still fuzzy, start with padel rules for beginners.
How PadelDropIn helps you find a coach
The PadelDropIn app has a Lessons tab that brings lessons and coaches together in one place. A coach's profile shows their star rating, the club they work at, basic info and upcoming lessons.
Coach order and favourites
The coach list is ordered to show you the most relevant coaches first: your favourite coaches, then quality (rating, lessons delivered, number of reviews and open slots), then coaches at your preferred club, and finally those in your city. It only reorders the list — nobody is hidden.
You favourite a coach by tapping the star, and you can have up to three. Try to add a fourth and the app will tell you: "You can favourite up to 3 coaches. Remove one first."
Private lessons
On a coach's profile, tap Request a lesson, pick the time, the duration and the number of people (one to four), and add an optional note — say, what you'd like to work on.
Group lessons and the waitlist
Group lessons have numbered seats, so you can see exactly how many are still free. You sign up with Request a spot. Some lessons need approval from the coach or club before your place is confirmed. While your request is pending it's marked "Pending" and holds your seat — nobody else can take it.
If the lesson is full, choose Join the waitlist. When a spot frees up you move in automatically — no second approval needed. A coach can also hold a seat and invite a specific player into it; once you accept the invite, you're in.
Reminders, payment and reviews
Once your booking is confirmed, the app tells you: "See you at the lesson. Payment is at the club." You pay for the lesson at the club, never in the app. You get a reminder the evening before (around 7 pm) and another two hours before the start.
After the lesson ends, you have 30 days to rate the coach (Rate the coach): choose "Would book again" or "Would not", add tags and an optional comment. You can also rate that specific lesson. Reviews aren't possible if you didn't turn up. A coach's public rating is the average, shown in half stars, and reviews are visible to signed-in users. Coaches mark attendance, and after a lesson you attended the coach can give feedback on your level (lower, same or higher), which can adjust your level in the app. You can also share a coach's profile with a partner via a link.
You can follow your progress after lessons through stats and the weekly recap in the app.
Etiquette: be on time and cancel early
Your coach and the other players are counting on your slot. Arrive a few minutes early to warm up, and if you can't make it, cancel as soon as possible — especially for a group lesson, where someone on the waitlist can take your place. For the unwritten rules, read padel etiquette: how to behave on court.
FAQ
Can I pay for a lesson in the app? No. Lessons are paid at the club.
Can I bring a friend to a private lesson? Yes — when you request a lesson you choose the number of people, from one to four.
What about after lessons, when I want to play one-on-one? For training with just one other person, see how 1v1 singles matches work; for doubles, read how to find padel partners for an open match.
How to get started
- Decide what you need right now: a private lesson for a specific problem, or a group lesson for the basics and company.
- Download the PadelDropIn app and open the Lessons tab.
- Browse coach profiles, read the comments and favourite up to three coaches.
- Request a private lesson or sign up for a group one — and join the waitlist if it's full.
- Leave a review after the lesson, so the next player has an easier choice.
Download PadelDropIn
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