MPC coach’s top tennis-to-padel tips
Top tips for playing padel
Continuing our series on moving from tennis to padel, Manchester Padel Club coach Rachel Thomas shares her top tips for making a successful transition – in a nutshell shorter, flatter and off the glass.
1: Adapt shots and swings to the smaller court
The smaller court in padel means there is much less time to prepare to hit the ball compared to tennis. This means your racket take-back needs to be shorter, a challenge for some players, particularly on the forehand where you can end up connecting with the ball later than intended. If you find that happening, focus on guiding the ball rather than hitting it.
2: Reduce pace and topspin
I would describe my tennis style of play as ‘aggressive baseliner’. I use topspin and pace on my groundstrokes to create an opportunity to go for a winner from the back of the court. In padel, this style of play is likely to lose you points. Pace and topspin can make the ball bounce higher, making it easier for your opponents to retrieve and counterattack. Instead, hit the ball flatter or with slice, which will cause it to bounce lower or die off the glass.
3: Make use of the back glass
The back glass can take some getting used for players transitioning from tennis to padel. When I first started playing padel I would try and hit everything before the glass and end up hitting a difficult half volley, which would often lead to errors from me or an easy volley for my opponents. I’ve worked on this and now, by allowing the ball to hit the glass, I have more time to hit a better shot.
4: Master the different overhead shots
Mastering the different overhead shots in padel can be the difference between winning and losing. In tennis my strategy typically involves delivering a powerful smash to quickly conclude a point. In padel I use multiple overhead shots during a rally.
Start by honing specific shots, such as the ‘Bandeja’ and ‘Rulo’ overheads. Each of these shots demands a distinct technique and leads to a different outcome. Even after mastering them in practice, the decision-making process during a match scenario might take additional time. Therefore, try and allow yourself the necessary time to make the right choice in the heat of the game. 🎾
