Getting useful video from your padel match doesn't require professional equipment — but camera placement and a few simple settings make a big difference in what can actually be analysed.
Position the camera at the back fence
The best angle for padel analysis is from behind the back glass, centred on the court. This gives a full view of both teams: you can see footwork, court positioning, shot selection, and pair coordination all at once. A side angle might look dramatic, but it hides half the court and makes it impossible to evaluate movement patterns or net positioning.
Position the phone at roughly head height — around 1.6–1.8 metres from the ground. Too low and players block each other; too high and the perspective flattens the court depth, making it hard to judge contact points.
Use a tripod or clip mount
A steady shot is essential. Shaky footage makes it very difficult to analyse technique in detail — blurred frames at key moments like ball contact are hard to work with.
A small phone tripod placed just outside the back fence works well. Alternatively, many players use a fence clip or a GorillaPod wrapped around the fence mesh. Whatever you use, make sure it's secure — a fallen phone mid-match means lost footage.
Always film in landscape
Always film in landscape (horizontal) mode. Portrait video gives you a tall, narrow frame that cuts off both sides of the court. Once recorded in portrait, it can't be fixed in post.
Before you start, also check:
- Storage: a 90-minute match filmed at 1080p can use 4–8 GB. Clear space beforehand.
- Battery: plug in a power bank if you have one, or make sure you're above 60%.
- Stabilisation: most modern phones have optical or digital stabilisation — make sure it's enabled in your camera settings.
Resolution and frame rate
1080p at 30fps is the sweet spot for analysis. 4K creates very large files and rarely adds meaningful detail when viewed on a standard screen. Slow-motion (120fps) can be useful for short clips of specific shots, but it eats storage fast and isn't necessary for a full match recording.
Check the light conditions
Film with the sun behind the camera where possible. Filming into direct sunlight creates silhouettes and blows out the image, making it hard to see racket face angle or ball contact. Early morning and late afternoon light is ideal — harsh midday sun creates heavy shadows that can obscure footwork.
Do a quick check before the match starts
Record ten seconds, then review the clip: can you see both baselines? Are both players fully in frame when they're at the net? Is the footage steady? If anything's off, adjust before play starts. It's much harder to reposition mid-match, and you can't go back and re-film a point.
One final tip: don't stop recording at the end of games. Leave it running through changeovers — sometimes the most revealing moments happen when players are discussing what just happened.