Here's a very Thème who risks raise questions and possibly cause points of contention. What is the best position to adopt to the net ? Let's try to provide you with arguments so that you can find THE answer.

Le padel is an attack and defense game. These two zones can be delimited by the service line. Behind, defense; forward, attack. Suffice to say that the attack zone is much larger than the defense zone. So, from this observation, you will have to evolve, vary your positions, adjust your game, to be able to maintain yourself and impose your rhythm in the attacking zone.

What the books say

During the training of instructors of padel, the books must give bases and in particular benchmarks. For the positioning at the net, we speak of the middle of the service box in the width of the track, and from 3,50m to 4m from the net. Is this the best position for ordinary mortals? Maybe not. On the other hand, for high-level players, this area is certainly the best because it allows them to read the ball, volley with precision and access all types of balls: high, low or lobs. The problem is that not all amateur players have an exceptional technique and the physique of gladiators. So, wouldn't it be interesting to modify this basic position according to your ease?

The "no man's land"

Who has never heard of this area? “No man's land”, swamp, transition zone or other. Most players tell you never to stay here. Yes it's true that for high level players, this area is certainly not the best. But for the others ?

Find your base

The advice would be to find this zone from which you are serene, calm, from which you can manage the attacks of the opponents, master the volleys, place them, work on the point, and also and above all, make bandejas, smashes or defend lobs without much difficulty. It could be very close to the net, very close to the service line, half-track, you will understand, in a place where you can go to the volley and not defend it with a step back, control the ball , and not to go back and forth repeatedly between the bottom and the net.

Know that this position will be your base, but that depending on the match and the opponents you will face, it may evolve.

Examples to better understand

Here are some situations that may help you understand better.

- A beginner player. This type of player must be reassured with the game, pass balls, understand movements, positions and impact with safety. If you ask him/her to stand close to the net, first of all, he/she will not touch a ball, will be systematically lobbed, and will be afraid when the ball arrives towards his/her body. So wouldn't the solution be to just cross the line to understand the idea of ​​attack and defense? With time and practice, the player will reassure himself and come closer to the net.

- A soccer player. Imagine a football player with a midfield position. His role is to transfer the ball from the defense to the attack and then to organize the defense during opposing attacks. If this player is too close to the net, he will not be able to shine properly while placed in the middle of the track he will regain his football sensations, will be a super organizer who will know how to make his team shine both in attack and during difficult times.

- A volleyball player. Generally tall, this type of player knows how to handle fast balls because he has good reflexes. He also knows how to negotiate high balls well, and running from back to front is done in just three steps. By positioning himself close to the net he can cover a large part of the track and avoid the balls in the feet.

- Old people. THE padel is played by all. You will understand that a person turning 70 does not have the same physique as a healthy 25-year-old player. If you force these two types of people to play the same way, one will be able to play a match of 1h30 without problem when the other will only last 4 games. By adjusting the position at the net, older or less fit players will be able to negotiate more balls while protecting their physique.

Up to you

What kind of player are you or do you want to be? Depending on your answer, your position at the net will differ. Want to be competitive? You will need to insert more physics. Are you an amateur or recreational player? Favor the game, but tell yourself one thing is that even if you have found your basic position at the net, depending on the situation during the point or according to your opponents, it will evolve. Let's go!

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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