Le Par 3 is one of the most sought-after shots by padel players. Achieving this spectacular shot allows you to conclude a point in an impressive way on the court. However, many players struggle with the technical difficulty of this offensive smash.

Par 3 in padel: A spectacular shot to master !

What is a Par 3?

First of all, let's lay the foundations: what is a Par 3 ? This is a smash usually performed following an opponent's lob. The objective is to hit the ball so that it bounces into the opponent's court, hits the back wall, and then goes over the side wall which is 3 meters high, hence the term “By 3”.

When to do it?

Un Par 3 can hardly be attempted from any position (except for Leo Augsburg among others). It is essential to evaluate your positioning on the court. As a general rule, this smash is performed when you receive a fairly easy lob and can hit the ball at a good height. The closer you are to the net, the easier it will be to execute. On the other hand, the further away you are, the more difficult it will be to smash effectively.

Depending on the length and height of the lob, you will need to adapt your smash:

  • Flat Smash
  • Smash with effect : semi-lifted and semi-sliced

The direction of the ball

It is usually easier to cross your smash to achieve a Par 3, which favors a right-handed player positioned on the left or a left-handed player positioned on the right. The point of impact of your smash will depend on your position on the court.

  • If you are close to the net, the impact of the ball will be short (about 1m in front of the service line).
  • If you are further away, you will need to aim for an impact zone further away on the opposing field, ideally near the back window.

Factors to take into account

1. The pala

It is better to opt for a diamond shaped racket, especially if you are an advanced player, and with sufficient rigidity. Today, there are many models of rackets, classified into three categories:

  • All-purpose racket
  • Powerful racket
  • Control racket

2. The height of the opponent's lob

A good lob from the opponent can help you position yourself well under the ball and optimize your shot.

Tips from the pros

To guide you as best as possible, here are the recommendations of Thomas Leygue (103rd in the world, highest ranked French player in Premier Padel, right player) and Man Vives (153rd in the world, left-handed player).

Nicolas Fillaudeau

A big sports enthusiast and former tennis player, I discovered padel a few years ago without really focusing on it. Then I became addicted to this sport by practicing it and watching the premier padel matches. Looking forward to sharing the 2025 news with you!

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