💡 Tactics and Technique 💡
Smash constantly hitting the back wall
Im a beginner have played on and off for a year and only started playing consistently around a few months ago. I can’t manage to get the smash right, either one of 2 things happen, im either smashing the ball straight into the glass or smashing it down straight into the net. I can’t find that middle ground to play it perfectly. I don’t go for the shot often and I feel like I pick the time to play the shot really well i just can’t pull it off. When I slow it down and go for a more controlled overhead it’s a lot more consistent but can’t seem to pull off that powerful smash when the opportunity to do it is there.
Comments (15)
u/marfes35w ago
Practice. If your only practice is a one off shot in the game then you will never get proper movement.
7
u/Sentilam5w ago
4+ years playing padel here.
I’d focus on really mastering bandejas first, then move on to víboras, and only after that work on flat smashes.
Once you’re solid at all of those, you can start learning the top-spin kick smash. Just keep in mind it takes time and patience.
Good luck!
5
u/cmc_9205w ago
One of the best things I did as a beginner was to stop trying to smash. Think of all the points you're throwing away for a Hollywood shot. Having a good bandeja, vibora and sliced volleys will win you far more points.
Best way to learn though is a coach and many baskets of balls. The smash technique is way harder than people realize (especially those without a tennis background).
4
u/NecessaryAd6175w ago
Smashing can win games early but they are kind of useless in intermediate when players can return it easily. I play right and some days I don’t even smash at all.
2
u/Masty19925w ago
Even professionals use smash all the time. Yes beginners smashes are useless in intermediate, the smash needs to advance with the level, but it’s always a big part of the game
2
u/adsason5w ago
Depends on side. Chingotto has matches where he may smash 2-3 times max.
If you have a really good vibora it can function as well as smash. Super easily lobs you can drill down low with virtually no rebound. Even if you miss it a bit, it’s still not the easiest to return. Less likelihood of hitting glass or net too.
While on the smash, even decent ones can be returned right at the net and when they are returned they are typically tap outs or shots that are very hard to adjust to because they are hitting right at the net with momentum and the ball above the net.
But yes, a left side player needs a good smash if playing with a righty on the right.
1
u/Stup2plending5w ago
Agree I have many matches where I get zero flat smash or x3 opps playing on the right
-1
u/Doubleur5w ago
Try smashing without force. Just focus on your body position, raising the racket and stuff and then just go for a light hit. It will go slow but in my experience, you get the ball across in a straight line. Then practice applying a little more force every time.
2
u/Vivid_Farm_41355w ago
I’ve been playing twice a week for 4 months and probably hit 70% of my smash’s correctly.
I would advise you and a mate rent a court and just practice hitting them as well as other shots, before I landed smashes more consistently I was same as you net or glass, you won’t get better if you don’t try the shot
1
u/JohnSourcer5w ago
Very basically, if you're hitting it into the net your contact point is too far forward and vice versa. The problem with a smash at low to intermediate levels is the smasher rarely gets it out of play allowing the opposition to play it back after the bounce off the back which is very difficult to stop.
1
u/Masty19925w ago
He’s a while away from that yet. Reasonable Flat smashes score points most of the time well into intermediate
3
u/JPG_ENESER5w ago
Se secret is to hit the ball hard, but at the right angle so it hits in the right place, it’s very simple really
1
u/ElpSyc0n5w ago
The thing that helped me is to always go for it with everything you got. Don't get passive if you are struggling with it, eventually you will start getting it, even if you hit a couple outs. Also adjust ur grip a bit lower to get ur wrist in their more, helped me
1
u/PuzzleheadedExam42775w ago
Beginners should not smash. I would not invest time in learning the smash until after 2-3 years playing. Low return, it's much better to focus in the 7 basic shots
0