Types of strokes in padel
Introduction
A fastball hits your body, you take a step back and hesitate: volley, lob or backhand block? Master the technique and definition of hitting in padel It makes the difference between defending desperately or calmly building the point. In this didactic guide we review the most used shots - from right and backhand to the tray, the globe and the smash— with fundamentals, position and small tricks that are easy to apply in your next game.
If you're just starting out, take a look at the initiation shovels and keep learning in our padel blog. When you want to go deeper, explore shovel shapes and how they affect your hitting and control.
Technique and position on the court
The ideal shot depends on where are you (fund or network), where is the rival and how the ball comes (height, speed, spin). From the net, he sends the volley; from the bottom, the forehand or the backhand gain prominence; and when you get squeezed, the lob is your tactical respite to recover the net. To fine-tune the start of the stitch, review this article from paddle serve.
What helps the most is to anticipate: reading of the opponent's blow, short steps, active feet and paddle in front. If the ball surpasses you, follow the trajectory to prepare the control stroke that keeps the ball alive without raffling it.
Basic hits
Forehand (drive) and backhand
They are the most used groundstrokes. Athletic base with knees bent, opposite foot forward in the assembly and impact at waist level. You can direct crossed (more comfortable) or parallel if you read hollow. Play with effect plane, topspin or cut It helps you control the depth and the boat.
In short: look for the sweet spot and let the racket accompany the exit. If you already subtract consistently, rate a intermediate level racket to balance control and power while improving steering.
Globe
The balloon draws a tall parable to overcome rivals and force them to retreat. Flex your legs, open the face of the paddle slightly and hit under the ball in trajectory vertical-diagonal. If it falls short, you give away a finish; if it's deep, you recover the net.
To make it come out “sweet”, do not block your wrist and end the gesture upwards. If you like the physical part, browse the coefficient of restitution which influences how the ball bounces.
wall hit
When the ball bounces and hits the wall, follow its trajectory, position yourself behind the ball and hit when you have it in front of you. It's hard at first, but once you master the timing becomes a key defensive resource for slow down and reposition.
You will feel more control with round shaped blades (centered sweet spot); If you like to press a little behind the wall, try teardrop shaped blades for its extra output and tolerance.
Volley
Offensive hit without bounce. Short preparation, shovel in front and head height impact. A slight cut It makes the ball go down quickly behind the net and complicates the return. In very fast balls, it is worth presenting the racket stable and taking advantage of the ball outlet of your racket.
To stabilize the grip, renew the overgrips frequently and protects the frame if they volley against glass with shovel protectors.
Tray
Tactic par excellence after a rival balloon. It is executed in the middle of the court, with the lateral ball to the dominant shoulder, pointing with the free hand and slightly impacting front of the body with accompaniment of the trunk. We look for it to bounce low and hit the wall at the bottom.
When it feels stable, increase the pace and alternate directions. Here is a specific tutorial for paddle tray. To keep everything protected, check the padel racket bags and padel bags with good padding.
Advanced paddle strokes
Finish or smash
Maximum aggressive blow. Weight bearing on back foot, non-dominant arm pointing to ball and impact at the highest point. It ends diagonally towards the opposite side of the blow. The ideal goal is for the ball to return to your court or go out for three.
To top it off with guarantees, a diamond shaped shovel and high balance helps transfer energy; if you prioritize control when leaving the wall. If you are interested in technical details, here we explain how the stiffness and face materials They change the “grip” and the output.
The viper
First cousin of the tray but more aggressive. Side impact with the arm almost extended to print a cut effect and tense exit. Well executed, it bites the corner and forces the rival to crouch after a very low boat on the wall.
The sensation improves when the contact time (dwell time) is just right and the texturing of the face increases friction; If you like engineering, this reading about dwell time It gives you practical context.
Which racket is best to start with if I want to control my shots better?
Start with a round shape shovel, soft/medium EVA core and moderate weight. It gives you a wide sweet spot and is more forgiving of errors. When you pick up the pace, try a intermediate blade or even models tear for more controlled punch.
Which shoe sole is best for volleying and driving towards the net?
The sole spike (clay) offers grip and predictable braking on sandy roads; in clubs with hybrid courts, value a modern herringbone sole or consult the sneaker soles available to adjust sensations and durability.
From track to track: how to continue progressing
Start with what you use most: forehand, backhand and lob to recover the net; When they are solid, add deep volleys, aggressive layups and selected shots. Train in short blocks (10–12 repetitions per zone of track) and take note of what gives you the most points. To choose wise material, check the shovel shapes and the blade brands that best fit your style, save the padel blog to continue learning and, when you need material with quick service, start with PadelPROShop.
