Let's go for an article technical which addresses a gorgeous shot du padel : the Smash. The smash can be considered in several ways but we prefer to focus on the kicked smash today.

Smash à flat, kicked, brush…there are several variants. The smash is one of the shots allowing players to evolve in their progress. The flat smash is mainly used to finish the point, the brush smash (vibora), allows you to impact the ball to the side, and the kicked smash can help you both finish the point and work on it. A nice option, isn't it?

Technically

The kicked or topspin smash consists, by placing yourself under the ball - and even slightly with the ball above your non-dominant shoulder - in lowering the pala's head behind your back to impact the ball during the ascent and thus give a forward effect, which promotes its acceleration on contact with the ground and generates an upward rebound on contact with the first window.

Charlotte Soubrié smash Worlds Dubai 2022

Engime

This is what most players are looking for in a smash, to win the point with power. Among professional players, the kicked smash is used, among other things, from a position away from the net to bring the ball back into their court. The lift accelerates the ball, and allows it to squirt past the glass to pass several meters above the net. We, amateur players, can we achieve these shots? Not necessarily because they require power, perfect technique and precision with a rebound fairly close to the bottom glass.

Precision

It is certainly in this area that amateur players will be able to use the kicked smash without fear.

At slow to moderate speed, you will seek areas in your diagonal. The most interesting will be to work for a right-hander on the left or a left-hander on the right, the other cases being much more complicated.

In your diagonal therefore, you could find:

  • the grid, with the possibility that the ball dives towards the ground or that it has a hazardous, capricious bounce
  • the side window, with a second rebound on the bottom window which would complicate the defense
  • the back window, with a ball which would then come crashing down on the side window, the grid or which would come out in 3
  • finally for those who like to put a little more power, always bottom glass rebound, make the ball come to the door.

The impact

This is the most important for a good realization of kicked smash. First, if you are released, your smashes will take effects correctly. Then we talked about placement under the ball or slightly on the non-dominant shoulder, but you have to arch your back and look for an impact slightly behind you so that the smash comes out of your pala upwards, unlike the flat smash which s impact in front. 

The kicked smash cannot be invented, it has to be worked on. It's not a simple shot, it requires control, relaxation, management in space and a good technical level. Once you're comfortable with this shot, you won't be able to do without it. 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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