Le right hit en track background is one of basic that we cannot ignore. Does a cut forehand would bring positive to our game ? Let's take a closer look.

At a beginner level, no problem. Some players play their forehand flat, topspin or cut. With time and practice, the goal will be to find a clean move that does not consume energy and that forces opponents to work at the net. Is it necessary at the beginning to have a cut forehand in your arsenal? Not necessarily. On the other hand, when you level up, you will see that having a good forehand cut can become a formidable weapon.

Hitting heights

This is one of the very important points to understand. Playing a cut forehand is not playing a cut backhand. The backhand can cut even very close to the ground, it is a natural movement. For the forehand it's different. It is difficult to cut a ball close to the ground. So, we can say that this move can be negotiated from the waist level. Then, hitting in a cut way, that is to say passing under the ball, at a height beyond the level of our shoulder, is very difficult or almost impossible. We will rather talk about bandeja or bajada. The cut forehand will therefore be negotiated between the belt and the shoulder.

What shots to play live?

Controlling live balls in a cutting manner is not an easy thing, but there is one case, a type of ball, that will allow you to test yourself: your opponents' high balls that bounce and stay in the middle of the field without touching the back window. Here, you have plenty of time to prepare well, adjust your placement, and deliver a beautiful cut forehand, strong, slow, in the center, on the sides or a lob.

Another version of the cut forehand played live: as with a backhand, you are in your comfort zone and release to surprise, a cut forehand directly at the volleyball players.

Finally, and if you are an enthusiast who follows all the professional matches on TV, a technique is used which consists, especially after a bandeja opponents, to play a cut forehand which falls just behind the net – a petite – or a tight lob. Cutting the ball complicates the low volley but also the bandeja or the defense in the event that the lob sends the opponents to the back of the track. 

On the other hand, if this forehand is hit badly, it will be punishment...

What shots should you play coming out of the window?

Playing cut out of the window will allow you to absorb the ball in your pala. All the tiny and lobs played in a cut fashion will be a great opportunity for you to try to go on the attack. But be careful, you have to master this shot, push the ball and not hit for no reason. You need to act like you're wearing a glove for all those balls you'll have to negotiate below belt level.

On the other hand, as soon as the rebound on the glass is slightly higher, do not hesitate to look for the speed or the angles because this type of shot performed above the level of the net, or the belt, could win you the point or even put your opponents on their heels for a nice climb to the net on your part.

Juan Tello Premier Padel 2022 bajada Milan

And the service?

We have not forgotten it of course. Serving cut is a good way to offer a low bounce to opponents, a good way to play more slowly to give yourself time to get to the net and above all a good way to get into the habit of playing a cut forehand that you can adapt little by little, with time and experience, directly out of the window.

Don't rush by wanting to skip steps. Either you naturally have the cut forehand or you don't. You have it, perfect, expand on it. You don't have it and want to expand your range of moves? Start with serves then direct high balls from opponents, window exits, to finally finish like a pro, with mastery of direct hits to the feet or tense lobs. 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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