When you start on the slopes of padel, we first want to simply pass the ball to the other side of the net. Then as we progress we want to hit smashs or perform bandejas. But does this move have to be performed perfectly for it to be effective?

This is it you are crossing a course. You are at the net, you start to make volleys and then come the high balls that you try to control. We told you about the bandeja but you don't quite know how it comes about. So 2 choices: either you pass into the hands of an instructor padel, or, like a grown-up, you go to social networks to listen and carefully apply the advice of the many tutorials.

Good or not good?

This is the question that arises: do I correctly carry out my bandeja ? We can say that there are 2 schools. That of the perfect technique that we will find especially on the internet (obviously we will not show you a bandeja not very academic), on which we will not dwell, and that of YOUR own technique.

It is on this point that we would like to lean so that all and all can achieve this blow without taking your head.

First question: I want to play at what level?

If you want to play at a high level, you will have to learn the bandeja so that it is as efficient as possible. On the other hand, if you just want to PLAY at the padel, is technique important or is it the result that matters?

Second question: I want to play this bandeja what purpose ?

As an attack move, as a defense or both? Depending on your answer, we will have to work in this direction.

Third question: am I comfortable?

This is certainly one of the most important questions. If you are comfortable with your bandeja, with a fluid gesture, you will enjoy achieving them and will do everything to make your opponents play you more high balls. If you are not comfortable something is wrong. It's up to you, your trainer, your friends to discover and test new things such as higher preparation, cutting the ball, brushing it, playing more with your legs… (filming yourself is very useful in this regard).

Fourth question: do I want to be aesthetic or efficient?

Maybe we'll have to think about being more efficient on the track than beautiful / beautiful. Tell yourself that all players are different and come from different places and different sports cultures. Maybe even a health problem has blocked your shoulder and this does not mean that you will not be able to adapt the gesture to send messages. bandejas devastating.

Conclusion

So this is a bit of the talk we hear on the edge of the slopes nowadays. Beautiful bandeja, not beautiful, I'm on the right so I play slowly, on the left, I have to speed everything up… it may be true from a certain level, but for the common people, only one watchword: do you PLEASURE. Think about hurting your opponents, forcing them to bend down, to get out of their comfort zone, quite simply to make them defend, whatever your technique, it will do it!

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.