Let's tackle a subject tactics padel ; The regularity. So much for gamers beginners which professionals, understanding the importance of not making mistakes will make you better.

Le padel is a unique sport which needs to create its own identity in relation to other sports, but also to create its own identity in each country. Today many people copy the Spanish or Argentinian style, but there is no doubt that within a few years Swedish, Italian and Australian styles will appear.

Before we get there, we must understand that the padel is a friendly sport where one seeks above all to have fun and have a good time. By leveling up, some players tend to forget this base, which can cause a loss of motivation or a slowdown in development.

As most of us are not stars of the padel world, so we will be looking to have fun first, and of course, try to fight on the track to win the matches that come with a smile and respect.

How to have fun at padel ?

The answer is simple. By being regular. If with each hit of the ball, the point ends with a winning stroke or a foul, will you have fun? Certainly not. So here is the base of the padel ; regularity. Learn to take no risks and become metronomes from the bottom of the track. Everyone has their own identity that we can put aside the time to learn about 0 faults. Once you feel comfortable, you will have plenty of time to imprint on your game that identity which makes you who you are.

How to be regular?

It all starts at the bottom of the track. To have and know the adequate position, which will allow you to access all the defensive shots. Master the heights of balls for impacts in the best possible conditions, learn to read the trajectories of balls and their rebounds on the windows. Mastering the forehand and backhand and being able to “pass” the ball dozens of times without realizing the foul should be part of your learning.

If you are a beginner, make your first games from the back of the track in order to get used to all the work of reading the ball, positioning, regularity, which will make you a great partner or opponent with and against whom it is a pleasure to play (sorry but if you are the one who realizes the fault with each touch of the ball, we risk not calling you too much to offer you games ...). Little by little, add strings to your bow with attacks, volleys, bandejas… don't skip the steps, your learning will suffer.

How to work on regularity?

The best is the basket. Repetition, seeking automatism is the best method to assimilate all the elements mentioned above. Obviously if you take padel with a monitor and have them work that part of the game, you'll improve faster than if you are looking to work on your own.

1 on 1 is a good method. With a person of your level or above, try to make exchanges and not to win the point. Try to start each shot from your “comfort zone” at the bottom of the track, with the same waiting position, with the same preparation, the same type of movement and above all the same ball speed.

Finally the wall or the game alone facing a wall or the glass. Practicing the wall allows you to slow down ball speed to find the rhythm that suits you, read the ball and prepare quickly. Do you want to progress quickly? Wall for 15 minutes a day.

The process of regularity may take longer to assimilate in people who do not have a sports or racquet background. Don´t hesitate to dedicate a few euros to courses focused on this phase which will allow you to have a great time on the track, with a smile, the basis of our sport, even at the highest level.

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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