Play at padel Is simpleMore understand how to play is much less. Before tackling the technical, if you learned to manage time in defense ?

This goes for beginners as well as those who already have an advanced technique. Knowing how to manage time in defense is certainly one of the most essential steps, which allows you to better understand the game, rebounds, game options, tactics.

Put yourself in the shoes of a person who has never held a racquet and enters a track. First of all she will try to hit the ball in any position, and above all she will tend to volley from the back rather than letting the ball pass to use the window exit. 

Without speaking about technique, if you, who are experienced and at his side, tell this person that his basic position must be the “maison” or the comfort zone, she will listen to you. Another step will be to explain to her that the longer she keeps the ball in her part of the court, the better she will play. You will see that in a few minutes, the balls will pass with more ease, mastery, control, and especially with the beginnings of window exits.

Win time

It is the key to a more interesting game, the basis of learning and what will allow you to set up your game, your padel.

We all agree that our starting position would be maison. From this house, directly in front of us, is the service line. Crossing that line would make us go on the attack. Attack yes, but later. So in defense, behind this line, we will have to play the opponents. How ? By dancing with the ball to save time, have enough control, mastery, hand to place it in the area you have chosen: on the player at the net, at his feet, in the direction of the grid, with a lob… Give free rein to your ideas of the moment to give yourself time to make these shots. And keep in mind that using the glass can be a good option.

Dance with the ball

The idea is not to dance alone Macarena but rather a waltz for two. Even if you are a poor dancer, you understand the idea that if you go on one side and your partner on the other, besides the fact that aesthetically it will not be great, you will especially have a lot of chances of walking you on the feet.

So the ball is your partner and you have to dance with it. Before imposing a dance on her, you will have to take her in your arms; but beware, it arrives launched. If you go to meet it, the shock will be more violent than if you absorb it by taking a step back in the direction of the trajectory: a metaphor which, we hope, can help you better understand the accompaniment of the ball in defense.

Accompanying, letting go, better reading the trajectory without rushing are important keys to the base of the game of padel. If you go too fast you will tend to cross the service line too soon and attack in a hurry. The concern is that you will take the risk of making the mistake or letting your opponents put an end to the point. By dancing with the ball, in addition to better managing the windows and your defense, you will be able to detect the right moment to go on the attack. So dance now! 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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