You could not follow Julien's technical and tactical direct on Tuesday on Instagram? No big deal. Here is a summary of the topics covered.

We will try to offer you a technical and tactical meeting every week in addition to the Instagram interviews. This week, we are offering 2 themes: the effects and the pressure of our opponents from the bottom of the track.

The effects

Au padel, whether we are at the back of the track, close to the net, playing low or high balls, we can expand our game with several types of effects. These effects allow us to vary our game to build our points in the best possible way.

  • Neutral

The “neutral” effect: these are actually the shots played flat. The ball, during its journey, has almost no rotation. For the realization of the shots with a neutral effect, we will have to think of creating an axis. This axis will be formed by the preparation of the pitch, the hitting place and finally the place to which we wish to send the ball. We will use this effect to gain control, the goal is not to hit the ball but to push it, to accompany it. From the back of the track, in defense, for the realization of forehands, backhands, exits of glass or even lobs, this effect must be part of your paraphernalia of shots.

  • Lifted

This effect is only used from the bottom of the track, during short balls played in the feet of our opponents or to find short crossed angles. The goal is to "caress" the ball by wrapping it from the back through its top, allowing us to give a curve to the ball. This curve makes the ball fall very quickly after the net. Be careful, playing this type of effect quickly will bounce the ball on the relatively high back glass, which will give our opponents a kick.

  • Coupe

This effect can very well be used during defensive reverses from the back of the field, but with certain precautions. To achieve a “cut” effect, we will have to prepare our pala high, hit the ball, then finish in the direction of where we want to play. It is more often an attack shot, we will be more comfortable and make fewer mistakes if both the forehand side and the backhand side we hit the ball above the level of the belt. This cut effect is used a lot when exiting the attack glass (bajadas) because the given effect causes a much less rebound.

  • Brushed outward

This brushed outward effect is used almost exclusively during service. The head of our pala will point the ground at the moment of impact with the ball to “brush” it so that after the rebound it moves away from the player.

  • Brushed inward

This effect is therefore the reverse of that proposed above. For the achievement of this effect otherwise called “Vibora”, The head of our pala will have to point towards the sky at the moment of the impact. Used from the back of the track when leaving the attack window or, as very often, at the net, this effect allows to find with great precision, areas on the opponent's track. It remains to moderate the speed ...

  • Cut short preparation

We are talking about theft. The end effect is the same: cut. But we voluntarily separate the two effects because the preparation is different. In the net, the preparation is short. To give a cut effect to the ball, reduce its rebound and find complicated areas to defend by our opponents, we must first “impact” the ball flat, then it is the accompaniment and the end of the gesture on the plate which will give the cut effect.

  • Bandeja

It is also a cut effect but from another position, high. It is not an attack but rather a blow to avoid losing the net. This “cut” effect will allow us to give time to the ball, reduce its rebound in the opponent, “work” the point, and especially to take back the attack zone which is the net.

  • The smash

Making a smash can mix several effects; neutral for hard and violent strikes, and “lifted” for worked balls. The “lifted” effect allows the ball to bounce higher without any special effort on our part. It is a technical gesture that requires training. Once we are able to give a “lifted” effect to the ball during a smash, by varying the speed and especially by finding various areas, our game will be much more efficient.

Pressurization from the bottom of the runway

Here is a simple way to put pressure on our opponents when we are placed at the bottom of the track, in defense. When we have the opportunity to play a ball in better conditions, try to play a slow ball, well placed, so that our opponents have to impact the ball below the level of the net. When we make this type of move, it is interesting to follow this attack, if possible at 2. How? Running towards the net? No. By resuming our support right in front of the service line. So we can react as well as possible to the ball played by the volleyball player.

  • If the volleyball player plays us in the feet, since we have achieved the recovery of support, it will be easy for us to return the ball and continue our progression forward.
  • If the volleyball player makes a beautiful, deep volley, we can easily return to the defense position by making a window exit.
  • If the volleyball player changes diagonally towards our partner, let's wait and see what move he will make, and adapt our position.

Please note:

  • This position is a transition position. We cannot stay there more than once, otherwise we would put ourselves in danger.
  • Do not stretch to play the balls, let go and resume our defense.

Next live meeting, Friday April 10, 18 p.m., for 2 new topics; preparation and knowing how to get out of the window. On Instagram of course…

 

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.