Let's tackle a theme that everything player of padel should definitely know. Learn to play slow for one day to be able play fast.

Le padel is increasingly publicized. More and more players find themselves on the screens, and we, simple amateurs, we watch. Then, motivated by the show, we want to play like these champions, but it doesn't work. Normal, you don't have their level. 

Juan Lebron Lobed Backhand Volley WPT Master Final 2021
It takes great skill to play fast at padel

Another common misconception is that in a country you have to play a certain way because everyone plays that way. Fake. It's up to you to create your own game. But it will go through the box “slow game”.

Several scenarios may arise. There are those who have never picked up a racket and those who already have a past in tennis, squash, badminton or other.

Beginners

It is easier for the instructor to teach this slow basic to a beginner. If from the first exchanges, the watchword is to slow down the ball for 1, avoid the fault, 2, make the opponents work, 3, make the points last to gain experience quickly, 4, increase the pleasure with extension points, 5, make the atmosphere on the track more friendly, etc. rather than inviting people to play to “kill” the point, learning will happen more quickly and above all more intelligently.

Le padel is a game of positions, rebounds and effects. If the beginner player learns, by playing slowly, to position himself correctly in defense and also in attack to control all the rebounds, the day when he wants to accelerate, it will be much easier.

It is a work that is done in stages so that each player creates his own way of playing, unique and above all desired.

The confirmed players

It is more difficult to assimilate. Often among players who have "bottle", the slow game has trouble making its place because their past influences a lot.

Awareness of the importance of slow play occurs when the player gets older or in open-minded players who leave room for doubt, who want to try the experience.

These players very often have an extraordinary hand, an incredible control, and know how to deposit the ball in the four corners of the track, but are not even aware of it because they have never tried.

The hardest thing is to reach this stage of awareness, in attack, which will build the point calmly, with tactical organization, to finally deliver the final strike. 

In defense it will be the same thing. Instead of putting rhythm to the ball which does not bother the volleyball players more than that, consider slowing down to force them to volley below the level of the net, close to the grid, in the center in the conflict zone, or else to work the ball height to force play a bandeja, a smash or even force to return to defense, at the bottom of the track.

Using slow play allows you to discover many new facets of your game. It may be a step backwards for some but will be rewarded later as you find your own rhythm, your own padel and your own speed. 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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