Au padel, we must of course think about attack, something that we generally do naturally, but we must not forget to defend. THE padel is a placement game as well as positions, let's see how pleasure for defend of bandejas.

Here is the situation. Posted at the back of the track, in your comfort zone or maison, you or your partner offer a high ball to the opponent who is on the diagonal. This ball is not high enough for a smash, so it will be a bandeja or an vibora who will come out of the pala.

If I stay at the bottom what happens?

If we analyze most of the balls played in bandejas where viboras that we let bounce, we see that they very often go over the service line on the second bounce. This generally forces us to play a difficult ball, away from our body and therefore with little control, which offers a clear advantage to opponents.

If I go halfway?

This is indeed a possible solution. During the lob, you move forward to position yourself in the middle of the track. From this area you can volley by countering and speeding up the player executing the bandeja. The problem is that if you lack reflexes, control or technique, you will make the mistake.

Another situation would be when well-played, well-placed balls force you to backtrack. But since you are too advanced, it would be difficult if not impossible.

In short, but as we like aggressiveness, we will keep this tactic under the elbow for certain imprecise opponents or certain key moments of the match.

In front of the line it's great

This is certainly the best zone to reach when the opponent on your diagonal is going to play a bandeja or an vibora. But be careful, placed just in front of the line, you will have both feet on the ground at the moment of impact, you will be low on your legs and your body will face the batter.

Thus you will be able to block the trajectory of the ball with a volley, accelerate a ball that is too short, and you will have a head start on a rebound that is too high and above all you will be able to accompany the ball backwards which will go to the window. And this support will allow you, after impact, to find yourself facing the track, ready for the next shot or to put the volleyball players under pressure.

Knowing how to position yourself is the key!

Little by little you understand that the padel is a game where investments are very important. Having a good base in defense allows you to see the ball coming and to better negotiate it. With this positioning in front of the line you can learn to block the trajectories and to negotiate the cut effects of a bandeja as well as the brushed effects of a vibora, but beware, not the smashes… that's another story! Let's go!

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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