In Bilbao, the academy  Padel Stuff  continues his series " At the heart of padel » with a new video dedicated to a fundamental move: the volley. A decisive shot, when we know that nearly  80% of points are won at the net . For this analysis,  Andoni Bardasco , former world top 25 and Head Academy coach, exchange with  Andreas Schneiderhan , tennis coach for over thirty years, club owner in Germany and current 5th German player in the over 45 age group.

Two disciplines, two logics

The parallel between tennis and padel is striking. In tennis, the volley relies on ample preparation and a search for power, with the racket held far in front of the body to hit hard. Conversely, in padel, the objective is above all to absorb the speed of the ball  and keep the pala close to the body for better control. As Schneiderhan summarizes:

"In tennis, you hit to accelerate. In padel, I had to learn to slow down and stop the ball."

A posture adapted to the net

Another major difference: the player's position. On a tennis court, the posture remains high, ready to attack. In padel, the situation changes: you have to  go down further on the legs , both when waiting and when shooting, in order to create the necessary cut effect and anticipate rebounds on the glass. "The lower net forces you to stay bent," explains Schneiderhan, who had to adapt his posture during his time in Bilbao.

Movement, the key to efficiency

Movement also reflects two philosophies. In tennis, covering large spaces requires powerful strides. In padel, the small court and glass windows impose a completely different logic:  short, precise steps , favoring adjustment over coverage. Bardasco insists:

"In padel, there are no free spaces; you have to build the point patiently. The volley is used to control, to force a deep rebound to keep the opponent on defense."

From the winning shot to the art of construction

This confrontation of experiences highlights the cultural difference between the two sports. In tennis, the volley is conceived as a  terminal blow , intended to conclude the exchange by power or placement. In padel, on the contrary, it becomes a  construction shot , allowing you to keep the initiative and prepare the best possible opening. Schneiderhan recognizes this:

"The faster I play, the more opportunities I give my opponent. In padel, you have to slow down and place your shots."

A lesson beyond technique

Through this cross-analysis, the video of Padel Stuff reminds us that the volley in padel is not limited to a simple transposition of tennis. It illustrates a true culture of play, where  patience, investment and strategic intelligence  take precedence over the search for the immediate winning move.

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