When you look at the best players in the world, the  Smash  It inevitably attracts attention. By 3, by 4, off-course, power… it's the spectacular shot par excellence, the one that many amateur players try to reproduce.

But is it really the most important shot in padel? When asked by PadelReview,  Agustín Gómez Silingo and Jorge de Benito  agreed: the smash would be the most  overvalued , while the  lob  would remain largely underestimated.

The smash, spectacular but not essential

It's hard to deny the importance of the smash in modern padel. At the highest level, players are now able to finish the point from far behind the net, and physical qualities are playing an increasingly important role.

Naturally, it's also these kinds of moments that leave a lasting impression.

But always trying to finish points with a smash can quickly become counterproductive. Not all balls are attackable, and constantly searching for the winning shot can lead to  more mistakes and bad choices .

Padel is not just about hitting hard. Reading the game, patience, defense, positioning and build-up play remain essential.

The lob, much less spectacular but essential

Conversely, the  lob  will probably never provoke the same reaction from the public as a smash.

However, its tactical importance is enormous.

A good lob allows you to  repelling opponents, regaining possession of the net, slowing down the pace, or simply getting out of a complicated defensive situation He doesn't necessarily win the point directly, but he can completely change the balance of power in the exchange.

This is precisely what makes this move sometimes difficult to value: its effectiveness is measured more in what it allows to be built afterward than in its immediate result.

Chingotto, the perfect example

 Fede Chingotto  perfectly represents this other way of dominating a match.

The Argentinian doesn't possess the power of some of the biggest smashers on the circuit. Yet, he has been at the top of the world padel rankings for several seasons, thanks in particular to his  defense, his reading of the game, his consistency and his quality of lob .

Against much more powerful players, his ability to defend and then find the right lob regularly allows him to completely turn a situation around and regain an offensive position.

Make the right choice rather than looking for the best deal

Perhaps that's the whole difference between a spectacular shot and a truly effective one.

The smash can end the rally immediately. The lob, on the other hand, can allow...  to build the necessary conditions to win it a few strikes later .

And that's also what makes padel so rich. Not every point is won with a par 3. Sometimes, a perfectly placed lob that forces opponents back can be just as valuable as a winning smash.

The most impressive blow is therefore not always  Most important .

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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