Let's talk color today in our technical column padel in an attempt to shed some light on the trail. Following the ball type to negotiate, take more ou less de risk.

What is the most common mistake made on a track? padel ? The wrong shot choice, the wrong decision making. There are several ways to progress to avoid the tactical error. We offer you one based on the different zones: red, orange and green.

At the bottom of the track

It's really at the back of the track that we make the most tactical errors. Has it ever happened to you, during a difficult ball, to try for the winning point, and on simple balls, to make the opponents play? It is perhaps and quite simply because it is not very clear in fact. 

The red zone

As you will have understood, this zone corresponds to difficult or even very difficult balls for you to negotiate. Tell yourself that if you make the mistake, it doesn't matter because the shot was really well done by your opponents. Just try to pass the ball at all costs by fighting like a lion.

Where is this red zone? Taking the length of your pala as a reference, the red zone would return to the length of the pala along the side window, the same on the bottom window and in height starting from the ground. So all the balls low and very close to the limits of the field: red.

The orange zone

This time you no longer have room for error. The orange zone is neither an attack zone nor an extreme defense zone. It is from this zone that you will have to play the vast majority of the balls in defense. The goal here is to work the opponents with high balls, balls below the level of the net, to force them to volley, but without taking major risks. You wait for the opportune moment to attack.

This orange zone can be delimited by the length of your arm between the side window, the bottom window and from the ground, and below the level of the belt, the orange zone really deserves to be understood, worked on, to avoid errors . If you are calm in the orange zone, it will be difficult to earn you a point.

The green zone

More surprise for you. The green area represents all other areas. Away from the side and rear walls, above waist level, here you can afford to attack. You've been restrained so far, but with the green zone you can let go and try some counter-attack shots. So this area is the result of previous work well done. If you realize the fault, it is not very serious if it is occasional. On the other hand, if with each ball in the green zone you realize the fault by taking too much risk, you will have to review your copy and appease your ardor under penalty of suffering the wrath of your partner. 

And in the net?

At the net it's a bit the same thing. We will only use color zones for ends to avoid confusion. Balls considered green are those that you can easily play, above the level of the net, and close enough to you so that you do not have to stretch.

The orange balls should allow you to keep the opponents at the bottom of the track, work them out of their comfort zone. We are talking about balls that are close or on the body, those that will be negotiated at or slightly below the level of the net, and those that will require you to move slightly sideways, within a radius of about 2 meters around you.

Finally we will talk about the red zone for these balls which will be really complicated for you. In general these are the very low balls, the balls far from you and those which arrive very hard on your body. Here do not seek to shine. Just try to pass the net and get back in quickly. The job is done, you haven't made any mistakes, it's now with the next ball that you'll have to fight to restore order and put your team back in the right direction.

The zone systems is one way among others to allow you to better manage the different balls tactically in defense but also in attack. Knowing how to recognize the difficulty of a particular ball and playing it appropriately will help you progress and adapt to all types of players. 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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