Padel ir viegls sporta veids, ko praktizēt, bet sarežģīts, lai to pilnībā apgūtu.
Many players reach a good level, but it takes them forever to improve their abilities even further.
You’ve probably said or heard, “But they weren’t better than us!” after losing a padel match. That may be true, but it’s the little things that make the difference in the outcome of a game.
Total Padel experts share 9 tips that will help you improve your padel skills faster and defeat stronger opponents!
1 – Use the right padel equipment
A heavy padel racket, unsuitable shoes, and overused overgrip can slow down your progress and limit your growth. Equipment has a significant impact on performance.
There is no one perfect padel racket, as each style of play requires a different type of racket, and choosing the right padel racket is essential to achieve the highest results. Brands offer a variety of models with different materials, weights, shapes, balance and technologies to meet the needs of every padel player.
Check out our guide “How to choose a padel racket?” to find the right one for you – the perfect padel racket that will help you improve your game faster.
Padel is also full of fast movements, jumps, changes of direction and sprints. Not just any shoe can be used on a padel court. While some tennis shoes may be suitable for the game, we recommend using padel shoes to ensure quick changes of direction, stability and explosive movements.
Wearing the right padel shoes will also help you avoid slips and injuries on the court.
2 – Warm up like a pro
Many padel players believe that a five-minute warm-up is enough to play at full intensity. This is often one of the main reasons why the first set and ultimately the entire match are lost.
Try to prepare for the game at least 20 minutes in advance and spend 10-15 minutes warming up your arms, shoulders, neck, and legs. You will immediately feel how energetic you are and how well you can concentrate from the first point.
The main goals of the warm-up are:
Prepare your body for maximum performance from the start of the game (don’t give up the first two or three games for warm-up).
Prevent injuries that can occur due to sudden and unexpected movements at the beginning of the game.
There will always be someone who will say, “But professional players warm up by just exchanging balls for five minutes, and then they’re on fire!”
We’re sorry to disappoint you, but professional players start warming up one hour before the game on a different court.
They use these five minutes before the match to get used to the bounce of the surface and the atmosphere of the competition. They don’t even analyze the level of their opponents or develop tactics – because they did that long ago.
3 – Patience is bitter, but its fruits are sweet
Padel is a game of points. Winning or losing depends on how many points you get, not on how beautifully you play or how many trick shots you attempt.
When the level of players is very similar, patience, the number of mistakes, and how many points to give to the opponent are crucial.
In both high-level competitions and amateur games, the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins.
Risky shots are beautiful to watch. Opponents and spectators will be thrilled, but what’s the point of pulling off the trick once and making nine mistakes the next time?
It must be understood that consistency and patience are the keys to taking your padel game to the next level.
4 – To the center!
In padel, most strokes should be directed towards the middle of the court.
Shots to the sides of the field are riskier. Shots to the middle of the field, on the other hand, will force opponents to move more and open up free spaces on the field.
Tas dos vairāk vietas un leņķus nākamajiem sitieniem. Tāpat tas var radīt apjukumu, jo abi spēlētāji var steigties pēc bumbas vai arī ļaut tai aizlidot, domājot, ka partneris to atsitīs.
5 – Lob, lob and lob again!
The lob is the most commonly used stroke in padel.
This will give the defense a chance to catch their breath, gain net position, force their opponents to retreat to the back of the court, and it will slow down the pace of the game.
To execute a good lob, try to hit the back of your opponent.
Situation 1:
For Player A, the ball will come very close to the net or behind his head, making it very difficult to hit it correctly from above.
Situation 2:
Player B will either need to execute a backhand volley or move to the middle to hit an overhead shot. This will create more space for your next shot.
Remember! The lob should be executed as deep as possible. The higher the lob, the closer it will fall to the glass. Be careful with the ceiling if playing indoors.
6 – The wall is your friend
In padel, opponents can deliver very powerful shots, but the walls are there to help.
By letting the ball hit the wall, its speed will decrease and you will have more time to prepare for the next shot.
If you learn to defend effectively using walls, you will become an excellent defensive player. It will be very difficult for opponents to score points against you.
Trust the walls – they will never let you down!
7 – Support your partner
Padel is played in pairs. You form a team with your partner – you win together and lose together.
Complaints or negative facial expressions will only make your partner’s game worse. Show him that you trust him. Give him support and believe in his abilities – it will cheer him up and inspire him!
Always communicate and support each other.
8 – Movement!
In high-level competition, players are constantly on the move – always ready for the next shot.
Think about the movement even if the ball doesn’t come to you. This will help keep your muscles and reactions alert, and improve your concentration.
Poor footwork means a delayed reaction to the ball and a weaker shot.
Instill confidence in your partner and create doubt in your opponents.
9 – Enjoy the game!
Even in the hardest moments, don’t forget to enjoy the game. Appreciate the joy it brings.
When you leave the field, make sure you are satisfied and grateful for the game.
Padel is something special. We are lucky to live in a time when this sport is booming.
Make every moment on the padel court unforgettable!
