Padel: Learn and Improve
Learn and Improve at Padel
Welcome to your go-to resource for enhancing your padel skills! Whether you’re new to the sport or looking to refine your technique, our comprehensive guides and expert advice will help you take your game to the next level. Here’s how we can help you improve:
Master the Basics
Grip
The base grip to hold on your racket is called the continental grip. The way you find this grip is by sliding your hand down from the middle of the racket face to the end of the grip. This grip will be used for a lot of shots like a backhand, forehand or volley.
How to play the different shots in Padel
The three main shots are: Forhand, Backhand, and serve. These are the most basic but most important shots when it comes to learning and playing Padel.
The Serve
The serve is the only shot in Padel that the player has full control over the ball. The serve in Padle is very easy and simple.
The first step tp serving is to drop the ball behind the baseline and the ball may not bounce higher than the waist.
The next step is that while the ball is in the air, the serve must then be hit underhand diagonally into the opponents square. The server must stand behind the baseline on the court when serving. You have two attempts on the serve.
The Forehand
The forehand is one of the most important shots in padel because it forms the foundation for so many other shots. The forhand is played with your dominant hand on your dominant side.
The Backhand
The backhand is another vital shot in padel. It helps you control the other half of the court. The backhand is usually played with your dominant hand but on your weaker side of your body.
Drills and Exercises
Forehand and Backhand Drills
Drills are very important when it comes to improving at padel. They build consistency and accuracy for different shots and drills also build your confidence as a player.
Drill 1: Comfort and consistency
Requirements for the drill:
- A wall
- Padel Racket
- A padel ball
Step 1: Stand about 2 meters (6 feet) from the wall
Step 2: Serve the ball softly against the wall
Step 3: On the balls return to you, you it back softly against the wall
Step 4: Do this as many times as you can, trying new shots and different techniques
The goal for this drill is to make you comfortable with how the ball feels on your racket and to help you get used to the different shot types in padel. Try to do soft forehand and backhands so that your confidence with the shots grow.
Drill 2: Hand eye coordination
Requirements for the drill:
- Padel Racket
- A padel ball
Step 1: Start with your padel racket in your hand and hold the flat side facing up
Step 2: Put the fall on the flat side and balance it on the face
Step 3: Start bouncing the ball on the face of the racket. Do this as many times as you can
Step 4: Once you are comfortable with step 3 try and bounce the ball 10 times on your forehand and then 10 times on your backhand
Step 5: Once you are comfortable with that, try and do tricks with the ball like bouncing it on the side of the racket.
The goal of this drill is to develop and improve your hand-eye coordination. With better hand-eye coordination, shots become easier to perform.
Movement Exercises
Movement exercises are important in padel because they will allow you to get to the ball a lot quicker and help you move around the court a lot easier.
Exercise 1: Agility
Requirements for the exercise:
- 5 Markers (Cones, cups, etc)
- A space of about 3 meters by 3 meters (9 feet by 9 feet)
Step 1: Put a marker on the ground
Step 2: Take 2 steps from the first marker and place a marker on the ground. Do this for the other 3 markers.
Step 3: Stand at the first marker and make sure you have a marker in front of you, to your left, to your right, and behind you
Step 4: Now run forward, touch the marker, run back to the middle marker. Repeat this until you have touched all 4 markers and returned to the middle marker.
Step 5: Time yourself doing this exercise and try and beat your time.
The goal is for you to build short bursts of speed but also have the ability to stop quick, turn, and run again. This exercise will improve your balance and agility.
Exercise 2: Endurance
Requirements for the exercise:
- Atleast 4 Markers (Cones, cups, etc)
- A space that is about 1 meter (3 feet) wide and 12 meters (36 feet) long
Step 1: Place a marker down
Step 2: Every 4 meters (12 feet) place a marker. They must be in a line
Step 3: Start at the first marker, sprint to the second marker, touch it, sprint back to the first marker, touch it, then sprint to the third marker, touch it and sprint back to the first marker. Do this for all the markers you put down.
Step 4: Once you have done all that it counts as a set, do 3 sets of this exercise. Time yourself and try to beat your time.
The goal is to improve your endurance because during long padel games you will get lazy and tired close to the end of the game. Improved endurance will allow you to have energy in the later parts of the game.
In Conclusion
