In all sports we find that most athletes have manias, habits taken over time and that it is difficult to erase. Is it good to have fads?

Remember the advertisement made by Zinedine Zidane who put on his shoes, first the left then the right. It is a mania, a superstition that relieves the mind before an encounter.

In the padel, many are those who have quirks. We don't necessarily see it on the screen, but once we talk about it, you can check it out for yourself.

Some players and their fads

  • Fernando Belasteguin does not let anyone touch his pala once the new grip is applied
  • Pablo Lima always bounces the ball 3 times before serving
  • Mati Díaz will repeat the same gestures in a match following a victory
  • Maxi Grabiel will always choose to return if he wins the draw
  • Cristian Gutiérrez will try to always play with the same pala
  • Seba Nerone carries in his pallet all the equipment he needs in duplicate
  • Marcello Jardim will bounce the ball 3 times for a first service and 4 times for a second
  • Germán Tamame takes a cold shower before a match and then always puts on his left shoe first

Is it good to have fads?

We will answer yes and no. At the amateur level, the primary goal of padel is to have fun, have fun, have a good time on the track. If you put rituals in the middle of all this, you will break the adaptation to the different situations that your partners will offer.

On the other hand, during tournaments or at an advanced level, these rituals and manias can help certain players to calm down, to concentrate. This psychological work allows you to focus your mind on essential points for you and your game. We talked about the pre-match with the rituals to dress or even the laying of a new grip. These fads allow the brain to prepare for the event. Little by little, step by step, we are mentally preparing for the battle.

On the track, bouncing the ball a number of times allows us to use the time in our favor. In general, without realizing it, the players during these rebounds always take the same inspirations and always make the same movements, of front-back type, position their feet, look in a very precise direction. Rather, it is said to be for peace of mind and not for superstition.

Conclusion

Having manias allows 2 things at an advanced level, first to reassure his mind and to concentrate in front of the event that presents itself. Then they allow you to have control over time.

So it's up to you to see if it is good for your game whether you have manias or not, but know that having routines, warming up or stretching for example, is always good for you and your body.

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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