Le padel is an positions. Although we have like basis a position en to the defense, riding a track background, and in attack in filet it can evolve.

Let's place ourselves at the net. We all have a reference position from which we are comfortable volleying but also accessing high balls. We are not going to develop and dwell on this reference position, but rather we will make it evolve according to the situations.

“From my base, what do I do?”

As written in the title, it's a base. This means that “logically” you can negotiate all balls from this area. Once you have assimilated all of this, move on to the next step which will be to evolve this position depending on the quality of your volley or your high ball.

“Good ball, what do I do?”

What is a good ball? In fact it is a situation in which the adversaries find themselves in a complicated, uncomfortable position. We are talking about balls to be played below knee level, especially after a window exit or a rotation. 

So the advice would be to go little by little. First, from your base, be able to see that this ball is good. Then follow the ball closer to the net. Finally, be able to follow a good ball from your partner. So the idea is to come and attack by getting closer to the net to take away time from the opponents. A good play option to end the point.

“Bad ball, what do I do?”

What is a bad ball? These are simply bullets that allow opponents to attack. Very often it is rebounds too high on the end windows which give the possibility of playing moving forward, impacting in front of the end line and in the worst case, above waist level. Bad balls are generally much more common than good ones. An ill-adjusted volley or bandeja capricious and it's a disaster.

If you stay stationed in your base area, you are the one who risks running out of time to resume the offensive. You will be attacked and you will certainly see a bus coming towards you at high speed.

So the idea would be, when you spot that bad ball, just take a step back. This change of zone allows you to have a little more time to control and read the volley, to slow down the opposing ardor, to defend more simply because you are closer to the back glass and to be able to with a single volley position, move forward to find your base.

Evolving is the key

Knowing how to change your basic position after a good or bad shot is important as you progress. The track is large, don't hesitate to use it all to improve your game. However, be careful, you have basic areas, at the back of the track and at the net, from which everything must be built. So go ahead, change your positions but only for once. If you stay in these new areas too long, tell yourself that your opponents will have the opportunity to gain the advantage. 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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