Balanced teams for mixed-level padel

Mixed groups are great until two strong players team up against two beginners. Give each player a level from 1 to 3, and Padellama builds teams that are even on paper, then puts similar matches on the same court.

Three levels are enough

• 1, Newer: still learning the walls and the serve.
• 2, Regular: most players. Rallies comfortably.
• 3, Strongest: the ones everyone wants as a partner.

Don’t overthink it: when unsure, leave a player at 2. Levels stay on the organizer’s phone and are never sent with a live link.

What balancing does

1. 1Fair teams first: partners’ levels add up to about the same as their opponents’.
2. 2Similar courts second: stronger matches share a court where possible.
3. 3Strong players are spread out: with two level-3 players in a group of 8, they won’t be partners.

In an Americano, balancing replaces the everyone-partners-everyone schedule, so some partners may repeat. In a Mexicano, levels shape round 1, then the standings take over.

More guides

• How Americano works→
• Americano vs Mexicano→
• How many rounds→
• Scoring sit-outs→