Friends of big hits or fans of aerial work well done, today, Padel Mag looks at the technique of smash in padel. A move that one might think easy to achieve but which deserves its learning time.

The shot so coveted by the big guys: the smash. Over the years, players are beginning to understand that the smash is not just a way to finish the point, but also a way to work on the opponents' defense. Franco Stupaczuk is one of those players who do not hesitate to use the smash a lot as a means of construction. So here we are, here we are, dissecting the basics of the smash in padel.

Before we start, let's try to find a similarity between our padel smash and other sports. The tennis smash will aim to finish the point, so yes, we could take inspiration from this sport, but also, still in tennis, the service impacts above the head, with several effects, and that could also interest us.

There is beach tennis which uses the same effects with a racket similar to that of padel. Then, squash and badminton use flat hitting rather than spin. Finally, there are other sports like volleyball which use overhead hits and which can be a source of inspiration for padel.

This is an example of what we can find and copy from other sports and that we can apply to padel. There are certainly others that you can of course comment on.

So, if we put our studies and research together, it seems that there are not only flat hits with the smash. There are also spins. These spins will be topspin with a bottom-up spin, or brushed with a lateral impact from right to left or left to right. So yes, we can believe that these lateral spins are only used for bandejas, but know that it also works with smashes.

The effects

We're going to have to play with our racquet grip and our wrist flexibility. The more relaxed we are, the more effective our smash will be.

Using effects will allow us to control ball speed to endanger opponents by looking for the ball. wire rack, the side window or the back window. This taking effect will be more or less important depending on the place of impact. We are well aware that a smash hits over the head, but this area is wide. We invite you to test impacts above your head, lightly on your right shoulder, lightly on your left shoulder, in front of you and behind you. By varying the speed you will discover new exits to your smash.

Alex Ruiz smash spanish world selection qatar

The curve

Curving your ball will allow you to broaden your range of smashes. The classic smash, hit flat from the top down will have a downward, straight curve, with a rebound fairly close to the net.

The same flat smash can be impacted lower and have a more rectilinear curve for a deep rebound, close to the back glass. Finally, and this is surely the most used curve, it is the use of the smash which, when leaving the racket, will first go upwards before going down again. This curve is used a lot because it allows you to find angles, like the short cross at the grid, like the par 3 with a rebound close to the back glass, impacted from the service line, but be careful, it is also the most technically complicated.

Sanyo gutierrez smash

Technical

The smash is both simple and complicated. Simple because everyone is able, from day one on the track, to hit a smash. Complicated because the effect and fluidity in the gesture will automatically go through technical mastery.

Before getting into the technique, consider practicing the powerless impact first. Don't skip steps and always want to hit full force. So, posted at the net, our opponents attempt a lob with a “bell” ball. This high ball will allow us to place ourselves under it, it is the base. The non-dominant hand will immediately point the ball, which will allow us to look for the impact in front, on the right side, left or behind us.

At the same time as the action of the non-dominant hand, the pala will be placed. We speak of a “bird's wing” type opening for ample preparation or even a shorter preparation, pala placed behind the head, arm bent.

The legs will also do their job. Either with a first forwards or backwards, we will adjust our position by moving in profile, or in chasing steps, or like a crab by crossing our legs with each movement. Once the perfect position is found, we will try to join our feet, on the point, to cause an imbalance and to arch our body. This imbalance will force us to push up on our legs. Being arched will act as a bow that bends before releasing the arrow. We will gain in execution power, we will give more spin to the ball, and above all we will get the ball as high as possible.

Juan lebron smash babolat viper

The end of the gesture will differ depending on the style of the smash. For a powerful smash, flat, our pala will finish its race, for a right-handed person, under the left arm, because our end of movement will be forward. For a spin with effect, since we will finish in extension, the dynamics will throw us backwards or towards our non-dominant shoulder. The dominant arm will therefore end, to rectify the balance and also for the effect, outside, far from our body. Finally, and for effect smashes with a lot of power, the dominant leg will rise to the level of the end of the dominant arm for a perfect balance.

Conclusion

The smash in padel is a very simple shot to use from the first days, but very difficult to master when we want to give it an effect. Go step by step, without rushing, first looking for a beautiful ingredient which is the impact, a beautiful working area, a rebound and a precise gesture, then add a pinch of power for a final recipe, worked on week after week, which will delight you and your guests (not sure…).

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a padel teacher in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and articles on padel tactics/techniques.

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