How to play with a left-handed padel ?

As in all sports, you are more likely to play right-handed players. However, you can play with or against a left-handed player.

According to several studies, we estimate that there are about 10% of the population who are left-handed. In this column, we will give you some tips for playing with a southpaw.

A difficulty of adaptation for the adversary

When you start, playing with or against a left is never obvious. Indeed, the effects will not be the same, the rebounds on the windows will be changed, and you may have a feeling of panic.

To learn how to play against this type of player, you have to play from time to time with and against a southpaw. And as you go along, you will get used to it, and you will not have that feeling of fear or panic playing against those players.

How to play with a left-hander?

A pair with a more aggressive game

Playing with a southpaw means that you play with another player who will have the forehand in the middle, so the pair will be more aggressive. Indeed, both players can take a more offensive role, with the ability to easily get out smashes by 3.

The center is for both players

Having a left-handed partner implies that both players can play a forehand in the middle of the field. It will be necessary to communicate.

Communication is very important

Since both players can take the balls in the center, it will be necessary to communicate to know which of the two players will have to take this or that ball. Vital element for the pair to perform.

Know the effects of the left-handed

Knowing the qualities of a left-hander can give the left-hander a better understanding of what to do in order to get more points. For example, he knows that if his left-handed partner performs bandeja crossed, the opponent will have a hard time defending, so he can anticipate, and get very close to the net to complete the point quickly.

Regularity

The first parts will be complicated. Indeed, there will be situations where both players can have the ball, and neither of them takes it or both go at the same time, because of the uncertainty. This will be corrected gradually more you play with a southpaw.

The qualities of a southpaw

A parallel volley: one of the main characteristics of a left-hander is being able to easily play parallel volleys on the windows at the back, and on the side window.
A crossed smash in par 3: the ball will come out more easily in par 3 with a left-hander thanks to the topspin effect like a right-hander on the left.
A bandeja efficient: one of the strengths of the left-hander is to achieve this stroke, which returns more easily along the grid, and which are more difficult to defend by the opponents especially if they are not used to these effects.

The fact of playing with a left-hander can give you advantages in certain cases, thanks in particular to the complementarity between the two types of play. World Padel Tour, Fernando Belasteguin was world number 16 for 1 years, almost always having a left-handed partner, Juan Martin Diaz for a long time, and more recently Pablo Lima.

Alexis Dutour

Alexis Dutour is passionate about padel. With his training in communication and marketing, he puts his skills at the service of padel to offer us articles that are always very interesting.