The smash at the grid is an increasingly used stroke padel, for amateurs and professionals alike. Let's find out what are its advantages.

If you follow the padel for a few years, you have certainly known that the smash on the grid is one of the most used shots by Pablo Lima and Juan Martin Diaz, two left-handers who played tennis before taking the padel.

In France, these are certainly Benjamin Tison, also left-handed, and his former partner Adrien Maigret, who master it best. You will certainly have also noticed that Paquito Navarro or even Franco Stupaczuk more and more use this move which has many advantages.

A technically demanding move

It is no coincidence that this is the favorite shot of left-handed people with a very flexible wrist and former top tennis players. Indeed, this shot requires a great level of precision because the margin of error is lower to find the grid on a smash than to send a ball of type bandeja at the bottom of the track.

In addition, it is necessary enough angle to achieve it with a lower level of risk therefore a right-hander on the left or a left-hander on the right will have many more opportunities to do so in a match than a right-hander on the right.

A perfect shot for tennis players

If you have a tennis background and are used to serving topspin or slice, you won't not take long to assimilate the smash to the grid. In terms of grip, but also in terms of movement, this shot is very similar to what you have certainly done a thousand times with the big racket.

You just have to be careful when you lack angle to lower your arm speed and take the ball a little more to the side, like on a slice serve, so as not to commit the fault.

benjamin tison europe padel

 

 

A less physically demanding shot

To achieve a smash on the grid, the ball is hit higher than on a bandeja or an vibora. In addition, no need to shift to take the ball to the side with his arm outstretched. So we have no need to move so much and on a match all these less steps allow you to save yourself physically and certainly to end up less tired. Think about it if you are the type to finish the parts on the kneecaps.

A more destabilizing blow

The grid generates a random bounce, and if you are precise enough to hit the bottom of the fence on your smashes, then you could score a lot of winning points on that shot in a match. Compared to a bandeja which sends the ball to the bottom without too much uncertainty, the smash grid very easily generates panic among defenders. It can therefore very often bring you favorable situations.

Be careful of course, because as said above, it's a bit more risky so you have to be careful not to put too much speed in the ball when you are badly placed.

A blow more easily concealed

If you watch play Paquito Navarro, you will notice that his preparation is always the same whether he is about to make a par 3 or a smash on the grid. The two movements being carried out with the same grip and in a similar position, you can with a little practice manage to mask your shot well until the last moment.

Paquito Navarro high ball

This will generate even more uncertainty among your opponents who will not know until the moment of the strike what you are going to do. They will therefore not be able to anticipate a defense as it can be the case when a player prepares a bandeja.

 

The smash on the grid is certainly a bit more risky but it can be very profitable if it is well mastered. Above all, it can very quickly be assimilated by tennis players who start the game. padel. For those who are starting to padel without having a background in racquet sports, it will certainly take a little longer to learn, but can be just as effective. Be careful, Julien Bondia prepare an article where he will discuss all the technical aspects of this shot !

 

 

 

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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