In the latest YouTube video of Pablo for the chain The4Set, two guests join him on the court for a video tutorial of two technical strokes specific to padel: the roller characteristic of Franco Stupaczuk, described by the Argentinian, and the tray byAlejandra Alonso.

Le roller of Stupa

Execution Council :

“Imagine a round clock. The roller, we hit it at midday, well up. We bend our legs, we position ourselves facing the opposing court's grid, we take the ball high and we try to brush it forward, over the top.”

Technical advice :

"For the roller, I turn a little more, to brush the ball better, like a par 3 smash. And not just turn a little: I also keep the racket tilted downwards, generally well diagonal to the direction of the shot.”

  • You have to let the ball pass a little before hitting it.
  • franc jumps back slightly to position himself faster, especially when the lob comes diagonally.
  • He prefers this jump rather than making a viper, because the movement would be slower.
  • It uses a slightly more open grip than the classic continental grip, to give more spin, much like a par 3 shot.

Investment objective :

  • The racket is oriented slightly downwards.
  • He aims at the corner between the side window and the grille, depending on the opponent's position.
  • The more closed the angle, the more it places itself under the ball to give it curve.

“I aim for the last corner, where the grid touches the glass wall. But it also depends on the side. If you're on the T line, it's often easier to play a viper. "

“The tighter the angle, the more you have to slide under the ball.”

Ball placement, desired area :

“When I'm closer, I play it softer to avoid the strong bounce. But if I'm far away, I try to give it a higher trajectory with more spin.”

Tactical tip :

  • He observes the opponent's position with his peripheral vision.
  • If the player is already positioned, he does not shoot in his zone.
  • It adapts the direction (straighter, more diagonal) depending on the opponent's location.

“If you know your opponent is there, you don't play there. You try to aim further right, lower, or further forward, depending on their position. It's not just a matter of practicing the shot; you also have to adapt to your opponent's positioning.”

Purpose of roller :

“It's a shot to win the point, but it's not automatic. You have to be smart and know when not to use it. If I feel I don't have the right angle, I choose another option.”

La tray of Alonso

Execution Council :

“I often make a tray flat when the lob is more tense, faster. In these cases, it is more difficult to prepare a roller accurate."

Technical advice :

  • Catch the ball as high as possible, close to the ideal point of impact.
  • Do not raise your arm too high, so as not to send the ball out.
  • Engage your shoulders well in the movement, otherwise the ball will go downwards.
  • pinch : classic continental socket, no changes.

“I keep it normal, I don't change it. Continental. I lift the racket a little, but not too much to avoid hitting the ball out. And I get my shoulders through well, otherwise the ball goes low.”

Franco Stupa : “What I notice about her is that even her gesture of tray can become a very quick hit. She pretends to prepare a tray classic, and bam, she hits fast, often in parallel.”

Objective of the tray :

  • Don't lose position on the fly.
  • It is a less offensive move than the roller, but very effective.
  • Alejandra Use this shot to maintain position on the volley while controlling the point.

“Guarding the net. It’s less offensive than the roller de franc, but the idea is to stay ahead.”

Variation and reading of the game :

“I aim a little closer to the line, but it depends.”

  • It varies depending on the opponent's position: depth if the opponent is far away, short if he is close.
  • She adapts the placement of her tray (through the middle, crossed, parallel).

Stupa : “And then she has the ability to be aggressive even with a flat ball. She varies depending on the opponent's position: if he's deep, she plays deep; if he's moving forward, she plays short in the center.”

Summary of the qualities of the two shots

  • Le roller : technical and aggressive shot to surprise and finish the point, with a topspin effect towards the grid.
  • La tray plate : control stroke, precise and regular, to maintain the position on the fly and vary the rhythms.
Nicolas Fillaudeau

A big sports enthusiast and former tennis player, I discovered padel a few years ago without really focusing on it. Then I became addicted to this sport by practicing it and watching the premier padel matches. Looking forward to sharing the 2025 news with you!

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