Padel Techniques 101: How to Hit the Ball Like a Pro

If you’re new to padel, mastering the right techniques can seem overwhelming. However, with time, patience, and practice, hitting the ball like a pro is achievable. It’s essential to keep in mind that mastering the padel techniques won’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort and a whole lot of dedication. But, with these tips on how to hit the ball like a pro, you’ll be on your way to mastering padel 101 in no time.

The Stance

Before you work on any other technique, the fundamental step is to master your stance. Your stance is how you position your feet while hitting the ball. A proper stance helps you maintain balance and control while hitting the ball.

Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointing forward, and your knees slightly bent. This position will help you transfer your weight from one foot to another while hitting the ball, giving you enough power and control to execute your shot.

The Grip

The way you grip your padel racket can affect your shot’s power and direction. One of the most comfortable and versatile ways to grip a padel racket is the continental grip. Hold the handle with your non-dominant hand, then use your dominant hand to place the base-knuckle of your index finger (the first finger) on the third or fourth bevel.

This grip enables you to have a forehand and backhand shot variation since it allows for wrist flexibility. The trick for getting the right grip is to practice, so don’t give up after a few attempts.

The Swing

Once you’ve perfected your stance and grip, the next step is perfecting your swing. A good swing lies in the right timing and balance. You want to ensure the racket swings smoothly, and your movements are fluid. Start by standing in your comfortable padel stance and keep your eyes on the ball. When the ball comes close to you, make contact with it by extending your arm fully.

Allow your body to follow through with the swing while keeping your eyes on the ball to maintain control. Remember, you don’t need too much power on the ball – focus on accuracy and placement.

The Serve

The serve is not only an essential shot in padel, but it also sets the pace of the game. A good serve can leave your opponents scrambling to get back into the game. Stand behind the baseline, with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the ball that you will use to serve. Take a step forward with your non-dominant foot, and start to toss the ball up into the air.

As the ball starts to fall back down, bring your racket back and make contact with the ball with an upwards motion, this will generate the power needed to propel the ball across the court towards your opponent. Remember, pay attention to your accuracy, placing the ball cross-court, towards the body or down the middle will make it challenging for your opponent to return the ball.

The Lob

A lob is a shot that aims to send the ball high above your opponent’s reach. It’s an effective way of gaining the upper hand and gaining control of the game. To make the lob shot, start by hitting the ball with an upswing while aiming high, this should send the ball high in the air at an arc.

The trick with the lob shot is accuracy. You do not want to send the ball too far that it goes out of bounds or not high enough that your opponent can easily hit it down.

In conclusion

Perfecting your padel techniques takes time and practice. Start with your stance, then grip, followed by your swing. Keep perfecting your serve and lob shot, and soon you’ll be hitting that ball like a pro. Remember, practice makes perfect in padel 101, and don’t forget to enjoy the game along the way.