Neat Tips and Tricks for a Killer Padel Game
We’re here to let you in some of the basic trade secrets that will surely improve your padel play. Master these skills and you’ll be a force to reckon with at the padel court!
The Little Shot (la Chiquita)
The Little Shot (also known as La Chiquita) is a defensive shot taken from below the service line that gives you time to catch your breath and regain your momentum while getting ready to launch a surprise attack. Take a slow, short stroke just above the net to make the volleyer strike the ball from under the net.
As you strike the ball, rush forward, and as your opponent retrieves it, you’ll be positioned to strike a direct shot. It’s easy to surprise someone who has been gazing down for a volley. Right when they are staring at the ground, wham! They’ll never see it coming.
The slow movement is commonly used to avoid striking the edge of the track, direct the Little Shot at the opponent’s feet, or use a wide-angle shot. You may swing in flat, hit topspin, or try an under-spin. When using a backspin, look out for the chance of drop shots appearing. Drop shots are simpler to strike when topspin is used.
Stay low, so the ball remains down. Your opponent will have an easier time if you go too high and miss the ball.
Check out this video tutorial on how to change your game with the “la Chiquita”:
The Half-Volley (known as Botepronto)
It is common for you to find the ball at your feet in defense position. As a general rule, because players are positioned near the baseline, they will almost always see the ball before it bounces.
Shots in padel are mainly half-volleys because players are standing within the court. It is essential to bend your knees as you move your paddle down rapidly without an open swing.
Make sure to attack the ball early and always push forward with your body. To complete the task, we will get the ball to go over the net and then come down. Your opponent will have an easier time returning the ball if you have your contact point a bit behind you or if the head of your padel is tilted up.
Defend Behind the Service Line
When you’re on defense, it’s best to be in front of the service line to avoid getting stuck between your opponent and the net. Stick close to the back wall, and keep a lookout. Remain patient, but don’t be overly defensive since you’ll exhaust yourself by racing about the court a lot more than your opponent.
Plan a short ball or lob a ball over the net. Hit the lob, then quickly move to the attack by gaining control of the net.
People tend to overlook the high lob, yet it’s one of the most effective shots in tennis. Your opponents are forced to retreat because of your hard and high serves, giving your side an advantage by securing the net.
Use the Lob
The lob is not only a defensive shot. It’s also a killer offensive shot if done correctly. You can run into the net if you strike a strong shot that clears your opponent’s reach and allows you to advance. Your opponents will be forced to move to protect, maybe launching a lob on you, which might allow them to attack you and gain control of the net. There are three possible explanations for this:
- Let’s assume you’re at the net and you’re within 6 feet of your opponent’s baseline, then you can employ a smash to win the point.
- You may take advantage of the Tray-Smash to maintain pressure at the net when you have lobbed above their reach but not far enough to return your volley.
- While running to grab the ball, you should pay attention to your teammate’s cues about your opponents’ activity. The opposition is likely to have control of the net. In this case, the most reasonable shot is to lob them
To hit a lob over the net, find an opportunity to throw over your opponent’s left side. In this move, your opponent will need to pass around his left side, which might result in him making a poor overhead decision. Furthermore, he could resort to a backhand smash, which frankly has a low success rate.
You must go to the net swiftly and gently if you are in the middle of the court and your opponent is about to smash the ball above your head. In the next shot, you may have an easy attack at the net.
Here’s a quick demo on the Lob in padel:
