Question crucial for players beginners. Where should I stand when I come play net ? There are many responses and we will help you find the right solution.

For advanced level players, the question of position at the net does not arise because with reading the game and experience, the players adapt according to the situation to be negotiated. You will notice that at a high level, the volleys are performed from anywhere on the track; baseline, half-track, and several distances from the net until you find yourself very stuck.

So this article is not oriented for these players, but rather for other players, beginners to intermediates, who are looking for answers.

What the books say

It is written in the manuals of padel, it is said on the tutorials and even it is explained in some courses, that the volleys must be made from a position close to the net (less than 2 meters). Of course, the fact of making a volley from this area will promote good attacking shots, but during the game, it will also favor the lob of your opponents. Result: you will run the entire match between the defensive position, at the back of the track, and the net position.

Volleyball from anywhere

As mentioned above, advanced level players can volley from any zone. Why not us ? Nothing prevents us from making a volley from the transition zone (no mans land). So let's not get into the habit of rushing between defending and attacking positions. Let's take the time to organize our game with nice volleys depending on where we are, to reach the goal, which is the net.

But where is this ultimate position?

To each his own. How to find her? We have a tip for you.

There are 2 types of players. Beginners who have never set foot in the net, and players who have experience, who have been playing for years, but who do not really know where to place.

beginners

You start on padel and comes the stage of going up to the net. If you are in the company of an instructor or someone who can throw balls at you, stand 4 meters from the net and start volleying with the same balls always. For example the forehand volley played crosswise.

After ten balls hit, see where you are positioned. You will certainly no longer be at the starting point. This new position will be yours from now on. It is a first base on which you will build and from which you will begin to work effectively “yours” on the fly. Be careful, this position found today may change over time, but in any case, it will be a good basis for learning.

Intermediate level players

In our progression, we are always confronted with times of doubt, times when our strokes are not so effective, and times when we play with the arm outstretched, not relaxed.

This is also happening at the net and we should not hesitate to change our position.

If we apply the same technique as for beginners, you will see that it no longer works because if you start 4 meters from the net, you will stay 4 meters, same thing at 3 meters, 2 meters ...

The idea will be to gradually vary these distances to find the correct position. The best is the basket. Always with the same rhythm, always looking for the same zone, always with the same gesture (for example the forehand), we will play about 20 balls in each zone, checking the efficiency of each end. The most efficient volleys will automatically show you the best area to adopt.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no exact area for making volleys. This area must be yours and you must find it for your progress. Once you are comfortable, the next step will be to understand the transition flights serving to reach your position.

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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