Improving Your Groundstrokes in Singles Padel: Tips and Techniques

As a padel player, one of the most important shots to master is the groundstroke. It’s the foundation of your game, and it’s what allows you to control the point and dictate play. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to your groundstrokes. In this article, we’ll share some tips and techniques that can help you hit better groundstrokes in singles padel.

Start with The Basics

Before we get into the specific techniques for hitting groundstrokes, let’s review the basics. The groundstroke is a shot hit after the ball bounces once on the court. It’s typically hit with a forehand or backhand grip, depending on your dominant hand. When hitting a groundstroke, keep the following in mind:

– Keep your knees slightly bent, and your body weight forward.
– Make contact with the ball in front of your body, at waist height.
– Follow through with your swing, finishing with your racquet above your shoulder.
– Keep your eye on the ball at all times.

Focus on Footwork

One of the keys to hitting a successful groundstroke in singles padel is good footwork. You want to position yourself correctly before hitting the ball to ensure you have the greatest chance of hitting it with power and accuracy. The key is to anticipate the ball’s trajectory and move into the correct position a few seconds before it arrives. Pay attention to your footwork and work on it to make sure it becomes second nature.

Use The Right Technique

There are a few different techniques for hitting a groundstroke in singles padel. However, one fundamental key is to avoid slicing on groundstrokes. Slicing the ball can often mean that you lack the ability to play high-quality, aggressive shots, which can be crucial in singles padel. So it’s best to avoid it whenever possible.

When hitting a groundstroke, focus on driving through the ball straight and flat. A flat shot, rather than a topspin shot, will keep the ball lower, making it more difficult for your opponent to return. However, it requires great technique and a lot of practice to master.

Practice Makes Perfect

Finally, the most important part of improving your groundstrokes in singles padel is practice. The more you play and hit shots, the more you will learn about your weaknesses and strengths. Try to practice the simple shots thousands of times and then move to more complex shots.

Play against more experienced players, seek the help of a coach to get valuable insights, and analyze their techniques to improve your own. Remember, the perfect player doesn’t exist, but the perfect training routine does.

Conclusion

Improving your groundstrokes in singles padel is a gradual process, but with consistency and patience, it’s an achievable feat. Remember the basics of groundstrokes, practice your footwork, and focus on driving through the ball. With these techniques and plenty of practice, you’ll soon find that your groundstrokes are becoming more accurate, powerful, and effective.