How to record padel tennis games

Want to improve your padel skills? Want to start recording your games or you already are recording your games but you are looking for a better solution to get the best angle for your recording?

I’ll show you the best methods to get the best angles.

Missing corners in your recording

This probably is the most common issue. And to be honest, quite an annoying one.

BUT… we’ve a solution for that! 🙂

Suction Cup + Phone Recording

This is the easiest way to record a padel game. Use a suction cup mount with your smartphone. You can stick the mounts securely to the glass walls of a padel court.

How it works:

• Attach the suction cup to the back glass, usually centered behind the baseline.
• Mount your phone horizontally.
• Use your phone’s camera app.

Pros:

• Quick and easy setup.
• Affordable and beginner-friendly.

Cons:

• Battery life and storage on phones.
• Your phone can fall off the mount/glass and break.
• Limited camera angle

Not the best solution!

Obviously you can’t film the whole court with your phone. You will be still missing the corners. Also, for me one of the biggest drawbacks is the battery + storage on the phone.

For example, I have an IPhone 15 and I can film my padel game for 40 min and it will take about 20% of my battery and about 2GB of storage. Not ideal.

Also, at least for me on multiple occasions my suction cup mount has fallen off the glass with my phone. Luckily my phone is still fine BUT I think you definitely need to take that in mind when filming your game with a suction cup + phone method. For long games 50+ min make sure to check our mount after 3 to 4 games.

Who is this for?

I’d say for short videos e.g. trickshots or quick rallies this solution is the best. So probably for beginner players looking to record a short video for a certain shot.

Tripod recording for padel games

With a tripod you can get a more stable and professional-looking recording. You need to place the tripod outside the court behind the glass.

How it works:

• Set up a tripod behind the court 1-2m from the glass, aligned with the center.
• Use a phone or an action camera on the tripod.
• Adjust the height to capture the entire court without obstruction.

Pros:

• Stable footage (no vibrations).
• Flexible camera options and angles.
• Better for long matches and analysis

Cons:

• Takes more time to set up
• Requires extra equipment
• Very annoying to carry around a tripod all the time

Overall - a lot of hustle

Tripod recording is perfect for players who want higher-quality footage or plan to review matches in detail.

The cool thing with a tripod is that you can get a better angle versus the “suction cup + phone” recording method since you can place the tripod 1-2m from the glass that allows you to capture the entire court.

Recording with a tripod is a gamble. If you are not familiar with the courts you’ll be playing it at, it is likely that the courts won’t have the 1-2m space behind the glass for you to place your tripod.

Oftentimes, these tripods block walkways between the courts… I don’t know about you but that’s pretty annoying.

Should I use a tripod?

If you are familiar with the club you’ll be playing at AND you are certain that you’ll have the 1-2m space behind the glass, and you won’t be annoyed to carry a tripod with you… go for it. Otherwise, a tripod is nice to record rallies or practice shots on the court NOT outside the court.

Padel club court cameras

Some clubs have already installed cameras on their courts. With these cameras you can be sure to get the best angles and catch your crazy rallies on camera.

BUT… not every club has these

How it works:

Varies club-by-club. Some clubs have a “push button” by the courts to start a recording. For some clubs you have to ask to record a game, and for some clubs all games are recorded by default. Make sure that you ask the admins of the club you are playing at how their court cameras work.

Pros:

• Best angles for your recordings
• Doesn’t require any extra equipment

Cons:

• Very few clubs have cameras on their courts
• Sometimes you need to download a useless app

Probably the best solution… for now

Club cameras guarantee the best angles and they are kind of easy to use. But not a lot of clubs have these cameras.

Overall, for the best game recording quality, club cameras are the best.

FAQs

How do I avoid missing the corners of the court in my recording?

This is the most common and annoying issue. While a phone on a suction cup is easy, it often cuts off the corners. To capture the entire court, your best bet is to use a tripod placed 1–2 meters behind the back glass or use club court cameras if your club has them. Another trick is to use a fish-eye lens on your phone’s camera.

Is a suction cup mount safe for my phone on a padel court?

It’s a gamble! It is the most affordable and beginner-friendly method but suction cups can lose their grip and fall off the glass, potentially breaking your phone. If you use one, always check the mount every 3 to 4 games during long sessions to make sure it’s still holding on strong.

How much battery and storage do I need to film a padel match?

A 40-minute recording on an iPhone 15 can take up about 20% of your battery and roughly 2GB of storage. Always make sure your device is fully charged and you’ve cleared some space before you start recording your game.