The auction or smash is one of the blows that require the most explosive force in the Padel. Due to its attractiveness, when the player manages to bring it back to his field, it is a highly applauded hit. In addition to its well-deserved recognition, the smash is the endorsement of a direct point on the scoreboard. However, the execution of the smash in Padel is not only a matter of power but also of placement.
What is the smash in Padel?
The smash is a power shot that is made in the part near the net. This hit can only be done if the ball comes high, for example, the result of a lob return. The result of the smash is very high blows, difficult to block and that in the best of cases returns to the side from which it was made or even goes off the court.
With the smash, the ball is fired with such force that when it bounces in the opponent's field, the height of the bounce is unattainable for it.
Despite the fact that for the vast majority of players this hit is only possible near the net, in the WPT professional Padel circuit it is already common to see players of the stature of Juan Lebrón or Agustín Tapia do it from the back of the court. On the contrary, if you are still starting to get excited about this kind of blows, here are a couple of tips to perform the smash on Padel.
How to improve the smash in Padel
flat smash
If you're not yet confident enough to bring some spin to the smash, we'll start with a flat finisher.
The first premise for performing a smash is that whatever the effect sought, the point of impact must always be at the top of the racket.
In this case, as the smash will not go with effect, the hit will occur at the height of the head or, failing that, the shoulder. Before hitting, we must turn the body slightly and flex the legs enough to achieve all the force possible in the jump. With the body somewhat arched and the feet parallel to the side glass, we will take all the momentum to hit the ball at the highest possible point.
At the moment of impact, the Padel racket hits the ball with a totally flat face.
The ball is directed against the ground and depending on the force it has received, it will come out with more or less violence. The objective is to accelerate the impact against the ground in the shortest possible time.
To finish with the blow, the body always ends with forward, the result of the previous impulse.
topspin smash
Unlike the flat spike, the topspin smash adds spin to the ball, causing the ball to be thrown higher.
Whether the ball comes out more or less thrown upwards will depend, to a large extent, on the effect of the ball. In the topspin shot it is much easier than when the ball hits the glass it comes out higher.
To add a little more effect to the smash, the hit occurs at head height and is accompanied by a slight flick of the wrist.
Whether you opt for one type of smash or another, every time you play with a parallel shot, the chances of success will be higher than if you do it diagonally. The reason is because the opponent's response capacity in diagonal blows is much greater.
Achieving a powerful smash in Padel is a matter of practice and confidence. But also remember that as soon as you master this shot you will have a high chance of securing many points.
