Nice Video Sandy! I also think is worth mentioning that defending on the left side is more complicated. All the things you mention on your video about the characteristics for the left court player are things that we will face when defending. Side and double glass balls can be particularly tricky, specially to new player. I understand that everybody loves to smash and make a winner, but those those are maybe 5% of a rally, so a left hand player also needs to be a very consistent and precise player. Overall the left side position is more demanding overall. I started as a right hand player because of my defending, I'm very comfortable with the glass and playing in the back, but I'm also good with overhead shots so I've been switched to the left by my coach. I had to adjust my game a lot because of this, but, like you said, playing both sides has been really helpful in understanding the overall tactics of padel better. Keep it up! Can't wait for the next video!
You're absolutely right .... you MUST play both sides.... it's the only chance you have to decide which part will you play... I played an entire year with a left player that never close the point....frustrating for both....now i play both sides and left for tournament ... with a different player 🤣🙃🤷♂️
Something I would add, psycological strength. If you are not playing golden point left side will return in the advantages. That is a big ptessure shot. Also decision making, when to go for a finisher, right side can just play the open space again and again in low confidence situations and it will mostly be a good shot, but the backhand side does not have that luxury.
Very nice and informative video! However, I find it a little contradictory on the recreational level that people are both quick AND powerful. If one is quick and weak, and the other is powerful and slow, who should play where?
At a recreational level, I would suggest that the "better" or more consistent player plays on the left. Forget about smashing or winning the point, your objective should be to just keep the rally going for as long as possible with good, safe shots. Power and speed will play less of a factor in the game than consistency. You are allowed to switch sides after every set, so you and your partner can switch sides if you find that your original position is not working. Hope this helps
Im a beginner and for me it makes sense that the player who is most confident on backhand plays left. None of us should be doing lots of smashing anyways :)
Interesting point! Why don't you head over to our community page and discuss it there? If you are a member, please feel free to ask this in there, and if you’re not a member, please feel free to join so you can see all the answers! thepadelschool.com/the-padel-school-plus/?Organic&+stories&TPS%2B
I just cannot find the power/spin to smash out of the court. So weird cause my smash technique is decent (played high level tennis) and I train at the gym so I think I have more than enough power.
Smashing out of the court is more about technique than power. You don't want to hit the ball with full power, that will basically squeeze the ball when it hits the ground and it will lose a lot of spin and momentum. As you mentioned that you played high level tennis, imagine a topspin 2nd serve, the technique on your upper body will be similar, you want to hit the top of the ball from behind your head to apply top spin to it. Similar to a second tennis serve, you won't use your full strength to ensure the ball goes in. Start by practicing the topspin smash using only 50%-60% of your strength. It won't go out, but will help you get a better feel for how to hit the ball. Remember to aim about half a meter before the baseline line, don't aim at the glass, aim at the floor. Slowly increase your power without losing the wrist action. If done correctly, you'll start to see be ball go higher, then it just becomes a matter of practicing it more and more. Also, don't get frustrated. The type of court, the ball themselves and the altitude you are playing at, will play a huge role in your ability to kick the ball out. There are times where, it doesn't matter good your technique is, the ball won't go out. So keep that in mind.
Why don't you head over to our community page to discuss this more with the other members? If you are a member, please feel free to ask this in there, and if you’re not a member, please feel free to join so you can see all the answers! thepadelschool.com/the-padel-school-plus/?Organic&+stories&TPS%2B
This does change a bit when playing with a left-hander/zurdo, no? The attacking role could then be "shared" or carried more by the left-handed player. Or how does it change the dynamic?
If you missed the RIGHT SIDE video: ruclips.net/video/XXfAoP8CZ7g/видео.html
Once again, very useful, clear, with a perfect english that a french player, right or left😊, can understand!
Nice Video Sandy! I also think is worth mentioning that defending on the left side is more complicated. All the things you mention on your video about the characteristics for the left court player are things that we will face when defending. Side and double glass balls can be particularly tricky, specially to new player. I understand that everybody loves to smash and make a winner, but those those are maybe 5% of a rally, so a left hand player also needs to be a very consistent and precise player. Overall the left side position is more demanding overall. I started as a right hand player because of my defending, I'm very comfortable with the glass and playing in the back, but I'm also good with overhead shots so I've been switched to the left by my coach. I had to adjust my game a lot because of this, but, like you said, playing both sides has been really helpful in understanding the overall tactics of padel better.
Keep it up! Can't wait for the next video!
Great insight!
You're absolutely right .... you MUST play both sides.... it's the only chance you have to decide which part will you play... I played an entire year with a left player that never close the point....frustrating for both....now i play both sides and left for tournament ... with a different player 🤣🙃🤷♂️
Trial and error 😂
Both your latest videos are super! Just one problem I can not find my room on the Court . Every where!!😉. Vamos Sandy
All the best to you!
Been waiting for this one after the tips for right side players. Thanks Sandy! 👍
My pleasure, Arthur!
Something I would add, psycological strength. If you are not playing golden point left side will return in the advantages. That is a big ptessure shot. Also decision making, when to go for a finisher, right side can just play the open space again and again in low confidence situations and it will mostly be a good shot, but the backhand side does not have that luxury.
Well said Rafael.
Thanks for the video. Great one as always
Thank YOU!
Again, great video!!
Thank you Robin, great to hear!
I like a lot all of your videos💪🤩
So nice to hear! Thank you so much!
Very nice and informative video! However, I find it a little contradictory on the recreational level that people are both quick AND powerful. If one is quick and weak, and the other is powerful and slow, who should play where?
At a recreational level, I would suggest that the "better" or more consistent player plays on the left. Forget about smashing or winning the point, your objective should be to just keep the rally going for as long as possible with good, safe shots. Power and speed will play less of a factor in the game than consistency. You are allowed to switch sides after every set, so you and your partner can switch sides if you find that your original position is not working. Hope this helps
Im a beginner and for me it makes sense that the player who is most confident on backhand plays left. None of us should be doing lots of smashing anyways :)
Interesting point!
Why don't you head over to our community page and discuss it there? If you are a member, please feel free to ask this in there, and if you’re not a member, please feel free to join so you can see all the answers!
thepadelschool.com/the-padel-school-plus/?Organic&+stories&TPS%2B
I just cannot find the power/spin to smash out of the court. So weird cause my smash technique is decent (played high level tennis) and I train at the gym so I think I have more than enough power.
Topspin?
Smashing out of the court is more about technique than power. You don't want to hit the ball with full power, that will basically squeeze the ball when it hits the ground and it will lose a lot of spin and momentum. As you mentioned that you played high level tennis, imagine a topspin 2nd serve, the technique on your upper body will be similar, you want to hit the top of the ball from behind your head to apply top spin to it. Similar to a second tennis serve, you won't use your full strength to ensure the ball goes in. Start by practicing the topspin smash using only 50%-60% of your strength. It won't go out, but will help you get a better feel for how to hit the ball. Remember to aim about half a meter before the baseline line, don't aim at the glass, aim at the floor. Slowly increase your power without losing the wrist action. If done correctly, you'll start to see be ball go higher, then it just becomes a matter of practicing it more and more. Also, don't get frustrated. The type of court, the ball themselves and the altitude you are playing at, will play a huge role in your ability to kick the ball out. There are times where, it doesn't matter good your technique is, the ball won't go out. So keep that in mind.
Smash In tennis is more a flat / slice smash.. never top spin. q is how was your kick serve? Pronation is what you need
Why don't you head over to our community page to discuss this more with the other members? If you are a member, please feel free to ask this in there, and if you’re not a member, please feel free to join so you can see all the answers!
thepadelschool.com/the-padel-school-plus/?Organic&+stories&TPS%2B
This does change a bit when playing with a left-hander/zurdo, no? The attacking role could then be "shared" or carried more by the left-handed player. Or how does it change the dynamic?
Exactly. It would change a bit yes, depending aswell how attacking the leftie is 👍
This works only when you are not left handed...if both players are lefties then it's hard 2 be aggressive from backhand in the middle...
thanks for sharing 👍
I am left handed and my girlfriend right handed. Should i play right and she on the left?
We are at a beginner level.
Yes, exactly 👍
Doesn't it matter if you are left or right handed?
Yes it does…check last week’s video: ruclips.net/video/PC2B8cqQYBk/видео.html
Op