I'm in the position you were. I am now at the point where I slice almost every shot, because it seems to work for me. Thank you for handing down your experience! This all makes a lot of sense :)
Interesting. I have tennis background and I hit flat most of the time. I do slice sometimes, but often when I'm under pressure. Hitting flat comes more natural for me 🙂
Great video as usual Sandy, maybe an exception of not hitting flat but with slice could be when the ball comes slow and it bounces close to the net. In the case the player doesn't decide to make a volley because maybe the ball is going down and won't have time to hit it in a good altitude, letting it bounce in the floor and making a good slice shot can be very effective I think, i saw it a lot in high level matches
Completely agree. The video was not to use flat for every shot, more that it is important to learn it. Yes, anything above chest height where you can attack I would use slice, for sure :)
Julian Lidberg great question and really depends on the level. I try to teach players learning to hit flat because many accidentally play topspin. At a good level players will play with a bit of topspin sometimes on the shot. But not every ball so the flat shot is important to learn 👍
You say you came to Spain! We'd love to see you talking in Spanish in your next video! Say some words to your Spanish followers! hahaha Aside from that, super useful explanations, I had never thought of some of these tips and I just thought playing flat was for "noobies", but you have put it quite clearly! Thank god you came, Sandy!!!
I come to Spain alot to train and spend time with the coaches etc...it has helped my padel, but unfortunately not my Spanish!!! haha I would definitely lose people if I attempted it! ha
I have also watched a few videos from a padel player in the WPT top 100 and he says, by contrast, from the back of the court, 90% of his shots are actually top spin. With top spin the chiquita becomes just as easy and in fact if the ball comes to you at a low angle, the top spin helps it get up and over the net and bring it down faster to the feet, don't you think? I come from tennis and I love to slice when the ball is around waist height with power, but when the ball is much lower than this I 100% agree a slice is too risky and will prevent most players getting to a higher level, but I still think if people come from tennis then its not always right to get them away from the top spin, especially if they can do it well. Naturally it bounces up of the back glass, but if you're at the back glass or defending yourself, it would seem logical good opponents would be at the net, hence it would not matter too much about what happens at their back glass if it reached there. Not arguing with your point at all, hitting flat is very important, but for tennis people who never hit flat before as we dont this day and age, its almost just as well to hit top spin unless they are heading to be in the top 10% at their local padel club. I struggle with flat and taking the ball early, my wrist doubles back sometimes or the ball goes high and maybe my body isn;t at the right angle... its hard to take it early. Where as if you are going for top spin, you or I seem to be able to naturally take it earlier and with a firm wrist. Quick question, now I've bored you.... When you play your shots, do you always have a firm wrist? Is it something you think about, holding the pala firmer... or are there times you have it looser? Thanks for the video.. Esta muy bien :)
Thanks for the message. Very interesting topic. Yes, the top players do use topspin on a lot of their shots from the back, to play to the feet (I wouldn't say 90%, but maybe around 40%). They use this to gain that extra advantage over their opponents and can control the ball very well. The topspin in padel reacts differently to the racket (without the strings there are less revolutions on in the ball) and often tennis players end up hitting the ball too high over the net when trying to generate this spin or they make too many mistakes. So I think it is something that tennis players should learn to hit flat, understand the point dynamics and then when they get more advanced, add topspin into their game on certain shots if they want. Also, its worth noting they cannot hit topspin after the back glass, it is very risky as the ball is moving away and the contact is difficult to get right (even pros do not do it). So when it comes to defending, it would only be in front of them. This topic deserves a video on it though! Haha, never bored with padel! Personally, I have quite a relaxed grip (and squeeze on contact), but a firm wrist. There are a few shots where I use my wrist a little more like the Vibora, Topspin smash, sometimes with the Chiquita to soften the contact. But I would recommend learning with a firm wrist and again, experiment when confident. I find in padel, the more you complicate a shot, the more chance of making a mistake and then the more likely you are to lose the match! haha Hope that helped! Let me know if you have any other questions :)
@@anipi100 Ivan Garcia... watch his channel, you will find it, in spanish of course. he was about number 96, dropped down now at the end of the year, but apart from balls that have rebound off the glass, I see most players bringing the racket from low to high and that is going to give you a bit of top spin, even if you dont pronte your wrist as you pass through...
Hey sandy! I almost always do the slice and I’m very comfortable with it and I never fail doing it. I think It’s only when I lob I do flat technique. I still can’t get why to hit flat.
Machess because if you continue to play against better players the gaps you have to hit are smaller and smaller and the slice is more risky. Plus more difficult to hit to the feet against better players who will step forward at net.
Kanter Lo I am the same, I always slice my backhand, I know it is wrong but it is my most consistent as well as most effective shot so haven’t worked on it yet. I can see the benefits of flat, intellectually !
@@ThePadelSchool if you have something to share to learn to unslice, could you share it with me as well please Sandy :) ga@golfdeandratx.com I only discovered your videos last week but they have been a great help clearing up some misunderstandings from my lessons in Spanish over here in Mallorca
@@ThePadelSchool Ah, thank you! I sometimes slice the lob sideways directly on the serve return when the serve comes from left to right on my forehand. That way it goes above the opponent by the net and sort of clings to the corner, spinning to the right. Probably doesn't work too well on a higher level, but... :)
I don’t play WPT events anymore (although still play for GB national team) but I’d be interested to know your definition of “average”? And secondly do I need to be a world class player to be a great coach?
@@ThePadelSchool i recognize now you are using examples in your videos. So i’m no one to judge. Besides that disregard the comment i made. your videos helped me improve my game so keep doing what you are doing!
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I'm in the position you were. I am now at the point where I slice almost every shot, because it seems to work for me. Thank you for handing down your experience! This all makes a lot of sense :)
Me too, I was like that! And I didn't think I need to learn it....until I did! haha
Thank you for making these videos, I have now played padel for 1,5 year, and your videos have helped me alot. Keep on your good work.
Master CoC happy to help 👍
Sandy! Your videos are great. Vamos
Your videos are really inspiring. Keep on with the good work
Yes, definitely true! I need to work on this one, especially when you come from squash and badminton.
Leander Taelman yep! It’s too easy to let your wrist get involved and generate spin!
I come from rugby and and with time I have discovered it is not quite the same technique
I love to watch your video.. I have not played padel..I'm playing pickleball but it's ok ..thank you.
Hopefully you can play padel soon!
Interesting. I have tennis background and I hit flat most of the time. I do slice sometimes, but often when I'm under pressure.
Hitting flat comes more natural for me 🙂
You are one of the lucky few :)
@@ThePadelSchool a flat backhand has many advantages, I've noticed more. Great videos :)
Great video as usual Sandy, maybe an exception of not hitting flat but with slice could be when the ball comes slow and it bounces close to the net. In the case the player doesn't decide to make a volley because maybe the ball is going down and won't have time to hit it in a good altitude, letting it bounce in the floor and making a good slice shot can be very effective I think, i saw it a lot in high level matches
Completely agree. The video was not to use flat for every shot, more that it is important to learn it. Yes, anything above chest height where you can attack I would use slice, for sure :)
Good video. I guess i need to work on my flat return. I would recommend slice the moment you have a ball above shoulder level.
Michel Raveyts agreed, that’s when there’s less risk (and more reward)...
Great explanations Sandy. Happy New Year. Keep up the good work.
Barry Coffey thanks!!! Happy New Year to you Barry! Hope you’re recovering quickly 💪
@@ThePadelSchool Thanks. The "cast" came off on Friday and I started physio today. I hope to be back on the padel court by mid February.
Should you put a little topspin on the ball or should it be all flat? Great videos!
Julian Lidberg great question and really depends on the level. I try to teach players learning to hit flat because many accidentally play topspin. At a good level players will play with a bit of topspin sometimes on the shot. But not every ball so the flat shot is important to learn 👍
The Padel School Thank You!!
Great channel!
Amazing Vedio
Thanks for the support 🙏
You say you came to Spain! We'd love to see you talking in Spanish in your next video! Say some words to your Spanish followers! hahaha
Aside from that, super useful explanations, I had never thought of some of these tips and I just thought playing flat was for "noobies", but you have put it quite clearly!
Thank god you came, Sandy!!!
I come to Spain alot to train and spend time with the coaches etc...it has helped my padel, but unfortunately not my Spanish!!! haha I would definitely lose people if I attempted it! ha
I have also watched a few videos from a padel player in the WPT top 100 and he says, by contrast, from the back of the court, 90% of his shots are actually top spin. With top spin the chiquita becomes just as easy and in fact if the ball comes to you at a low angle, the top spin helps it get up and over the net and bring it down faster to the feet, don't you think?
I come from tennis and I love to slice when the ball is around waist height with power, but when the ball is much lower than this I 100% agree a slice is too risky and will prevent most players getting to a higher level, but I still think if people come from tennis then its not always right to get them away from the top spin, especially if they can do it well. Naturally it bounces up of the back glass, but if you're at the back glass or defending yourself, it would seem logical good opponents would be at the net, hence it would not matter too much about what happens at their back glass if it reached there.
Not arguing with your point at all, hitting flat is very important, but for tennis people who never hit flat before as we dont this day and age, its almost just as well to hit top spin unless they are heading to be in the top 10% at their local padel club. I struggle with flat and taking the ball early, my wrist doubles back sometimes or the ball goes high and maybe my body isn;t at the right angle... its hard to take it early. Where as if you are going for top spin, you or I seem to be able to naturally take it earlier and with a firm wrist.
Quick question, now I've bored you.... When you play your shots, do you always have a firm wrist? Is it something you think about, holding the pala firmer... or are there times you have it looser?
Thanks for the video..
Esta muy bien :)
Thanks for the message. Very interesting topic. Yes, the top players do use topspin on a lot of their shots from the back, to play to the feet (I wouldn't say 90%, but maybe around 40%). They use this to gain that extra advantage over their opponents and can control the ball very well. The topspin in padel reacts differently to the racket (without the strings there are less revolutions on in the ball) and often tennis players end up hitting the ball too high over the net when trying to generate this spin or they make too many mistakes. So I think it is something that tennis players should learn to hit flat, understand the point dynamics and then when they get more advanced, add topspin into their game on certain shots if they want. Also, its worth noting they cannot hit topspin after the back glass, it is very risky as the ball is moving away and the contact is difficult to get right (even pros do not do it). So when it comes to defending, it would only be in front of them.
This topic deserves a video on it though!
Haha, never bored with padel! Personally, I have quite a relaxed grip (and squeeze on contact), but a firm wrist. There are a few shots where I use my wrist a little more like the Vibora, Topspin smash, sometimes with the Chiquita to soften the contact. But I would recommend learning with a firm wrist and again, experiment when confident. I find in padel, the more you complicate a shot, the more chance of making a mistake and then the more likely you are to lose the match! haha
Hope that helped! Let me know if you have any other questions :)
which player was it who recommended topspin?
@@anipi100 Ivan Garcia... watch his channel, you will find it, in spanish of course. he was about number 96, dropped down now at the end of the year, but apart from balls that have rebound off the glass, I see most players bringing the racket from low to high and that is going to give you a bit of top spin, even if you dont pronte your wrist as you pass through...
gary murray good recommendation, thank you, interesting, not as good as Sandy though 💕
Hey sandy! I almost always do the slice and I’m very comfortable with it and I never fail doing it. I think It’s only when I lob I do flat technique. I still can’t get why to hit flat.
Machess because if you continue to play against better players the gaps you have to hit are smaller and smaller and the slice is more risky. Plus more difficult to hit to the feet against better players who will step forward at net.
The Padel School oh okey, but how to hit the ball to their feet when they are at net?
I have that problem, I have to learn to unslice ;)!
Kanter Lo difficult at first, but when you start to notice the benefits in your game you know it’s worth it!
Kanter Lo hey, what is your email address? I wanted to share something.
Kanter Lo I am the same, I always slice my backhand, I know it is wrong but it is my most consistent as well as most effective shot so haven’t worked on it yet. I can see the benefits of flat, intellectually !
@@ThePadelSchool if you have something to share to learn to unslice, could you share it with me as well please Sandy :) ga@golfdeandratx.com I only discovered your videos last week but they have been a great help clearing up some misunderstandings from my lessons in Spanish over here in Mallorca
When you say flat, do you mean no spin or a little topspin?
For beginners flat and then as you improve a little topspin can help with Chiquitas
3:37
Who slices a lob?
Johannes T players that don’t want to have a big rebound off the back glass (not like an attacking slice - just coming under the ball).
@@ThePadelSchool Ah, thank you! I sometimes slice the lob sideways directly on the serve return when the serve comes from left to right on my forehand. That way it goes above the opponent by the net and sort of clings to the corner, spinning to the right. Probably doesn't work too well on a higher level, but... :)
I’ve been watching for a while now and it seems te me you have all te knowledge but you seem quitte average at the game
I don’t play WPT events anymore (although still play for GB national team) but I’d be interested to know your definition of “average”? And secondly do I need to be a world class player to be a great coach?
@@ThePadelSchool i recognize now you are using examples in your videos. So i’m no one to judge. Besides that disregard the comment i made. your videos helped me improve my game so keep doing what you are doing!