How to record padel tennis games

Want to improve your padel skills? Then learning how to record padel games is step one, because you cannot fix what you cannot see. Maybe you already record your games but want a better angle for your footage. Maybe you are about to film your first match on your phone. Either way, this guide covers how to record padel tennis games properly: the camera angles, the gear, and the setup that actually captures the whole court.

I'll walk through every method, from a phone on a suction cup to a full tripod setup to club court cameras, and show you the best camera angles for padel so you stop missing the corners. That is the heart of how to film padel match footage that is actually useful.

The best camera angles for padel

Before we talk gear, let's talk angle, because the padel camera angles you choose matter more than the camera you own.

The best camera angle for padel is from directly behind the court, centered on the baseline, and raised as high as you can get it. Height is the secret. A camera at chest height loses the corners. A camera up high looks down into the court and catches all four players and both back corners.

Here is how the common angles stack up:

• Behind the baseline, high and centered: the best angle to record padel. It sees the full court and both teams.
• Raised corner: a decent backup if you can't get centered, though one side gets a little distorted.
• Side-on from the fence: avoid this one. You lose depth and half the court disappears.

So whatever method you use below, the goal is the same. Get the camera high and behind the court. The rest is just how you get it there. Nail the angle and you are most of the way to knowing how to record padel games well.

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 your mount after 3 to 4 games.

Phone settings that help

If you are recording a padel match on your phone, a few quick settings make a real difference. Film in landscape at 1080p rather than 4K, which saves a ton of storage. Lock your exposure so passing clouds or bright sun don't wash the footage out. And clear some space before you start so you don't run out mid-game. Recording a padel match on your phone is the cheapest way in, it just wants a little prep.

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

When you record padel with a tripod you get higher-quality footage, so it is perfect for players who plan to review their 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, which lets you capture the entire court.

Recording with a tripod is a gamble. If you are not familiar with the courts you'll be playing 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 padel club court 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.

Padel video setup: a quick checklist

None of this needs a fancy padel camera setup. Whatever method you pick, run through this padel video setup before each game and you will avoid almost every common mistake:

• Camera high and behind the baseline, centered on the court.
• Landscape orientation, 1080p, exposure locked.
• Battery above 80% and at least 3GB free, or a power bank on hand.
• Suction mount double-checked, or tripod space confirmed behind the glass.
• Hit record before you walk on, and stop it after the last point.

Get that right and you'll come away with clean, full-court footage nearly every time.

What to do with the footage

Recording is only half the job. Once you know how to film a padel match, the real gains come from watching it back.

You will spot things you never feel in the moment: where you drift after the serve, which corner you keep leaving open, how often you panic and go cross-court. That is exactly what VamosPRO is built for. Upload your padel recording to analyse your padel game with VamosPRO and it breaks down your shots, positioning and patterns automatically, so you know what to train next instead of guessing.

So the full loop is simple. Learn how to record padel games, film from a high angle behind the court, then let the footage tell you what to work on.

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.

What is the best camera angle to record padel?

The best camera angle for padel is high and directly behind the baseline, centered on the court. From up there the camera sees all four players and both back corners. Side-on angles from the fence are the ones to avoid, since you lose depth and miss half the court. Getting the padel camera angles right matters more than which camera you use.

Can I record a padel match on my phone?

Yes, and it is the easiest and cheapest method. Mount it in landscape on a suction cup behind the glass, film in 1080p to save space, and check the mount every few games. The only real limits are battery, storage and a slightly narrow angle.

How do I film a padel match by myself?

You don't need a partner or a film crew. The two solo-friendly options are a phone on a suction cup or a tripod behind the court. Both let you set the camera, walk on, and play. Club court cameras are even easier when the venue has them.

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.

What do I do with my padel recording afterwards?

Analyse it. Watching your own game back is the fastest way to improve at how to play padel, and tools like VamosPRO turn your padel recording into shot and positioning data automatically, so you can see exactly what to work on next.