You are a player of padel and want to be a better defender? Here are some important tips for your to the defense and save low balls.

Low balls during defense are complicated to save, but there are a few simple “tricks” that will allow you to return the ball to your opponents.

The position of the pala

Understand that the balls you will have to play in defense are low balls so why prepare the pala in a high way? Position your pala below the level of the belt, and by bending, you will be in the best position for a top defense.

The angle of the pala

Giving your pala an angle will make it easier for you to save a low ball. There are, however, several factors to consider.

If you can hit the ball in front of you your pala angle will be almost 90º from the ground. If you impact at body level, you will give a little more angle.

And finally if you step back when you hit, remember to open the pala a little more for more angle and play a beautiful lob.

The preparation

You will not be able to properly defend a low ball if you have too much preparation. For this type of balls you do not need power but a lot of control. So your preparation should be short, quick, with your elbow close to the body so that you are compact. Think that your support is also important, the more you will be in support with the ground at the time of the strike, the more precision you will have.

The difference between the direct bass ball or at the window exit

When you play a ball directly, the blow is violent because the momentum of the ball must be stopped then generated in the other direction. In this case, you can prepare very short.

When you play with the window exit, the ball is already coming in the direction of play, so you don't have to hit the ball so hard to send it back to your opponents. A simple accompaniment will suffice, but the preparation will have to be a little more in order to leave room for the ball; a set of doors that opens and closes.

 

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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