Au padel, the types of smashes are very numerous. No, not all smashes are overkill, and intentions are not always the same.

The smash is a shot that normally takes place near the net, but the more confirmed the player is, the more likely he will be able to smash away from the net and even a few times at the baseline. The importance is to be well placed and to make a decisive blow.

We will try to make an overview on the different achievable shots.

I. The powerful parallel smash

Attention, dangerous shot, because this smash must be absolutely decisive and if possible pass the net. In the opposite case, the counter of the opposing pair can be devastating.

Squash players will have no trouble understanding the term "parallel". The ball is supposed to be smashed at the parallel of one of the side walls. It has no interest in touching the side wall because the smashed ball would be not only slowed by the rebound of the wall but in addition, the ball would move towards the center of the field allowing the opposing pair to end up in a offensive position, even decisive.

Obviously, if the ball is too worn, wet or too deflated, do not realize this shot, it would be much too risky.

II. The short smash (parallel or cross)

The famous court crossed, or the feint of smash with finally a smash that comes to die near the wall of the bottom ... All the players confront it, and they come out rarely winners when the blow is well executed. This is the obsession of the player who anticipates most often a strong crossed smash ...

III. The defensive smash

The defensive smash is a very important smash that you have to know how to use to be able to evolve padel. This is a rather slow, crossed smash. The object is to hit one of the side grids and thus surprise the opposing pair.

This smash is used especially when one is stuck to the net and one faces a beautiful lobe of the opposing team. To avoid going back and let the opposing pair take the net, this defensive smash can be a good alternative.

IV. The Plateau smash (Bandeja)

It's a cut smash. This smash is usually called the Bandeja which means “plateau” in French. The objective is to hurt the opponent by forcing him to bend his legs. Because the ball is supposed to bounce very little and therefore has an effect contrary to the lift. It's a smash used a lot by professional players. Some believe it is the “constructive” smash. This indeed makes it possible to construct the point making it possible to put oneself in a position to complete the point.

La bandeja is a smash that is usually hit in front of the baseline, that is to say towards the half of the court. The ball is hit more or less at the level of the head. The objective is to make the opponent play and to make his life “complicated” by the quality of the very low ball. It is therefore not a winning move.

V. The Vibora

It's the smash that doesn't exist anywhere else. The objective is to give the ball a side effect. Conclusion: players facing this type of ball are forced to pay extra attention to avoid being surprised by the rebound. For example, a vibora with a crossed ball hitting the wall twice will either be accentuated and therefore come out very crossed or the ball will stick to the side wall.

V. The lifted smash

Lifted smash 2This is the smash we all dream of having but which is so complicated to achieve especially in all positions.

The goal is therefore most often to get the ball out of the field with a powerful smash but especially sufficiently raised to allow the ball to pass over the 4 meters of height of the side wall.

The problem is twofold:

  • Either it is not sufficiently well done, it can cost very much to the author of this smash
  • If the pair has anticipated the smash, it is also possible.

Today, if this shot is one of the most spectacular in this game, professionals have tended in recent years to use it less except when the position of the smasher is secure (ie, close enough to the net). The defenders have become so effective in the world top, that it took Silingo (world No. 10) for example to play more calm. However, he obviously remains one of the best forwards in the world.

Franck Binisti - Padel magazine

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.