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Padel is a sport where strategy meets skill, and territorial dominance is the name of the game! In today’s Coaches Corner, we'll delve into the fascinating art of mastering the territorial element of padel, helping you take your game to new heights. With the ultimate goal of reaching the net to unleash your tactical genius, we've got you covered!

For squash players looking to venture into the world of padel, a successful transition requires a careful assessment of their playing style and techniques and what works well on a padel court. While squash skills provide a strong foundation, certain adjustments are necessary to excel in padel. In this article, we address common mistakes that I see made by squash players transitioning to padel and explore key considerations that will help them thrive in the game.

Striking a Balance: From Slicing to Variety

Squash players often rely on slicing their groundstrokes, which can be effective in squash but less so when defending from the back in padel. To defend well in padel, it's crucial to develop a more versatile shot selection. Embrace a mix of flat shots, topspin, and slices to adapt to different situations and opponents. This diversity will help you better control the ball, improve your consistency, and enhance your overall performance. And probably fewer angry outbursts!

Harnessing Controlled Power

Squash players tend to hit the ball hard, but in padel, raw power alone may not always yield the desired results. Focus on finding the right balance between precision and power. Work on executing well-placed shots, incorporating lobs, drop shots, and accurate angles to create openings and force errors. By strategically maneuvering your opponents and keeping them off balance, you can gain a significant advantage in padel.

Getting Comfortable at the Net

To succeed in padel, it's essential to embrace the net game. Most points in padel are won at the net, making it a crucial area to dominate. From my coaching experience, squash players feel uneasy and uncomfortable at the net due to not having one on your court! But you can get comfortable there. Start your practice sessions with volleys to improve your technique and build confidence. Work on your volleying skills like short backswing and early contact, footwork technique by going to meet the ball, and general court positioning to seize control of the point, apply pressure, and force your opponents into defensive positions.

Transitioning from squash to padel presents an exciting opportunity to expand your racquet sports repertoire. By addressing common mistakes such as overreliance on slicing and excessive power, squash players can fine-tune their skills to suit the nuances of padel. Embrace variety in shot selection, find controlled power, and develop a love for the net game. Emphasize tactical net play and build a strong doubles partnership. With time, practice, and a willingness to adapt, squash players can master the transition and thrive in the thrilling world of padel.

Keep adding tools to your padel toolbox!

Coach Jared

Tennis players often find themselves drawn to the game due to its similarities in terms of rules and techniques. While their tennis skills give them an edge in certain aspects, there are specific challenges they face when transitioning to padel. In this article, we will explore the unique considerations and techniques tennis players should keep in mind to excel at padel.

1. Embracing the Back Glass: One of the key differences between tennis and padel is the presence of the glass in padel courts. Tennis players accustomed to not letting the ball travel past them might struggle initially with balls rebounding off the back glass. To master this aspect, focus on where the ball is bouncing and trying to judge if it is a ball worth leaving for the back glass. And also, positioning. When the ball comes deep in tennis, we move back. In padel there is a thick slab of glass in the way, so we can’t move backward! By observing the ball's trajectory off the glass, you can anticipate its bounce and adjust your positioning accordingly.

2. Adapting to Ball Rebound: In tennis, the ball typically bounces once and continues its trajectory, but in padel, the ball can rebound off the back and side glass, resulting in unexpected angles and speeds. This unique feature requires players to quickly adapt and react to the changing ball trajectory. Practice drills that involve hitting against both the back and side glass to improve your reflexes and anticipation and make using the galss second nature. As you’ll hear most padel coaches around the world say – MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE GLASS! 

3. Letting the Ball Go Past: In tennis, letting the ball go past you often means losing the point. However, in padel, strategically allowing the ball to go past you can work to your advantage. By allowing the ball to rebound off the back glass in the right circumstance, you create time for yourself to execute a better shot, and thus opportunities to regain control of the point. Often players from tennis want to half volley when their opponents are at the net, but this is a disaster waiting to happen as the contact point is low, the speed of the shot is too high and more often than not will result in losing the point. Remember, the padel court is smaller than a tennis court and the ball slows down with every touch of a surface, be it the ground or the glass.

4. Utilizing Volleys and Smashes: Tennis players have an inherent advantage in padel when it comes to volleys and powerful smashes. These skills translate well from tennis to padel and can become your key weapons on the court. Practice and refine your volleying technique to take advantage of the shorter distance between players and the net. Additionally, your powerful tennis smash can be a potent offensive tool in padel, enabling you to gain an advantage during the game. 

5. Developing Padel-Specific Skills: To truly excel in padel, it is essential to develop skills specific to the sport. Focus on improving your lobs, padel volleys (more spin) and bandejas to enhance your arsenal of shots. Additionally, work on your footwork and court positioning, as these factors play a critical role in padel due to its tactical nature.

Transitioning from tennis to padel offers a unique set of challenges and opportunities. While tennis players bring valuable skills such as powerful volleys and smashes, adapting to the nuances of the game is crucial. By embracing the back glass, adapting to ball rebound, strategically allowing the ball to go past, and developing padel-specific skills, tennis players can effectively make the transition and thrive in the world of padel. With practice, dedication, and a willingness to learn, you'll discover the joy and excitement of this captivating sport.

Stay tuned for next week’s article, where we explore the journey of squash players transitioning to padel!

Keep adding tools to your padel toolbox!

Coach Jared

The serve is a crucial shot in padel, providing a significant advantage from the start of a point. However, one often overlooked factor is the positioning of the server on the court. In this article, we will explore the optimal spots to stand when serving, helping you maximize your effectiveness and gain an edge over your opponents. 

Positioning at the Service Line: The default position for serving in padel is standing in the middle of the block, between the side glass and center line. This provides a clear view of the court and multiple targets to aim for. Maintaining this central position allows you to vary your serve placement, keeping your opponents guessing and maintaining an advantage. Avoid standing too close to the side glass or center line, as this can expose gaps for your opponents to exploit. Play the percentages and stand in the middle of the block for optimal positioning. 

Moving Closer to the Net: After a successful and accurate serve, the ideal place to be is at the net. However, it's important to move strategically to maintain a strong position. If serving from the deuce side, slightly shift towards the middle after serving to cover returns down the middle. Vice versa applies when serving from the ad side. Understanding the court angles and positioning yourself accordingly will help you be in the right place for effective volleys. 

Australian Formation: If using the Australian formation, positioning changes slightly. As the server, stand as close to the center line as possible while still remaining on your side. This is essential to quickly cover the perceived gap in the court and defend against your opponents' shots. Remember, stepping over the center line is considered a fault, so maintain proper positioning. 

Your positioning when serving in padel can significantly impact your game. Standing in the center of the block provides a strong foundation and allows you to reach a good position at the net, applying immediate pressure. While the court size in padel may limit the effectiveness of serving wide or targeting the middle, exploring Australian formation can add versatility to your game. By mastering the art of positioning, you can elevate your serving game and enhance your overall performance in padel. 

Keep adding tools to your padel toolbox!

Coach Jared

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