Padel Browser
💡 Tactics and Technique 💡

What Lvl are these Overheads and what do I need to improve

2238 commentsu/BlackberryFew19585w ago
I’m looking for some advice on my Vibora/bandeja. It bounces pretty high (against Advanced Players I put on no pressure!) I have a good idea of the shot, but I’m struggling to play it with a low rebound. Sometimes, it even looks like it has topspin instead of slice or side spin. Also, there’s Rulo—the fast one—who was definitely out and missed by a meter because I’m aiming with too much risk. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my technique and what I should focus on in the next match.
https://v.redd.it/4bfdlt0u1gig1

Comments (38)

i think you better to improve your volee because is bad and its a fundamental shot, you should aim to get points from this, not from overhead
26
u/jaguass5w ago
Came to say this. Your overheads are decent because they keep you at the net. Improving your volleys seems way more rewarding rn. Add effect and deepness, also use your feet (crossing) to transfer weight on the impact.
5
the volley is a bad example that one was very poor , but you are right all the top coaches say you need to put pressure so they don’t lob without making a mistake , I will definitely work more on the volleys
1
Nailed it. Everyone focuses so much on overheads because they look so cool. But volleys are what actually wins points, especially on intermediate level
4
only on reddit can you get a completely different answer to the question you asked, which people just took as an opportunity to criticize you
1
Criticize? I just want to help him. If he improves his volee his level will increase. In conparison its his worst shot and need to improve it.
1
yes in the match i volley a lot using my wrist on the forehand , it doesn’t put on a lot of pressure , that’s why many lobs are coming
-1
that volley in the video was a very bad one
-1
u/cmc_9205w ago
The level looks like low intermediate. You don't look set when you're hitting most of them, you body is still moving backwards or you're jumping and you're not ready for the shot. Move into position faster and get your racket up, prepared and frozen faster. If you can't, let it bounce. None of your shots are going into the corner as well. Your bandeja should go into the corner most of the time because it gives your opponent a double glass rebound to deal with, and give you more time to get back to the net. It also gives you more margin on your shots. I also don't know if its the angle but some of these lobs look like they were going out. You're also hitting higher risk shots while your opponents are stood at the back. If they were better at blocking they'd catch you out of position often. Go back to basics, focus on moving back fast and preparing early, then freezing your body ready for the shot. If the lob is fast or you're not set, let it bounce. It would be a good idea to have a coach check your technique, even if you just did 1 session.
6
perfect thank you , i’m rushing a lot that’s right , the lobs are all in tho , it’s hard so see how bad a shot is when you don’t get punished for it , but good players can definitely counter attack my overheads , in my head i seem pretty fast but maybe that’s a misconception about myself haha :)
1
u/cmc_9205w ago
One way to get faster is also to get better at reading your opponent. Learn to anticipate their game and when they are about to lob, it will give you an extra fraction of a second to start moving back and always move back faster than you think you need to. It's better to arrive back early and wait for the ball.
1
I'll go against the grain again and say I kinda like your overheads. They're not technically great but if you develop a decent smash you can have a good rulo/gancho/smash/tontona combination all from the same preparation and impact point. It's not the most orthodox development path for an intermediate player but if it interests you it can be very effective. What you're missing the most is the threat of the smash to pull the other players out of position. That's my playstyle and it's pretty goddamn good. Very rarely do I hit a bandeja or vibora.
2
Thank you. In your opinion, I should position myself faster to achieve a higher-quality shot. Additionally, I should learn to accelerate my arm and become more comfortable with the rulo/smash technique. So i can do unpredictable shots, such as a rulo or gancho on a vibora. Alternatively, if I manage to improve my smash, I can play with them. For instance, they might advance because they anticipate a smash, but I can then play a gancho behind the space into the corner, which the right player created by going forward
1
You’re a quick guy, I don’t believe that will ever be your problem. Learning to keep the ball lower on the opponent’s side will definitely help keep their lobs in check, and if you get that topspin smash down your whole game will click. I would focus on those two things since you clearly enjoy being an offensive player. I think there’s a lot to be said for having a coherent game plan and it doesn’t have to be the same for everyone.
1
Heyy OP, need your help. I can't comment on the overhead, as I am a beginner. But I have also bought an action camera to record myself. I am unable to set/mount correct for best angles Your angle is perfect, can you share your setup?
2
im using a suction mount from smallrig
2
Thankyou :)
1
You need to be travelling forward in the Over Head. Basically before hitting, you should plant your weight on your right foot and push forward through the motion. That way not only does your OH get more accurate but it prepares you for what is coming next. If you don’t have time to do this, then you were too late and you are better off letting the ball go to bounce and back glass, and you can lob back instead. You are extremely vulnerable when flying backwards the way you do in the video. By the way, regarding vibora you need to do something completely different to what you’re doing :) I think you need to have a coach for that or look at some videos at least because it is a bit too much to explain. Also a Bandeja needs to be more to the (right) side of your body. Actually the last OH in the video is a fine bandeja, and it is also the only one where you somewhat travel forward. It is for sure the best OH in the video. Most of the OH you do looks mostly like a gancho - which is a good OH type by the way and a great first OH to learn. The gancho is more above the head, and it’s purpose is to keep control over the net, like the bandeja. It is mostly used when the ball travel above you. In the video, there is a ball where you could have played a bandeja, instead of moving away from the ball, you move in under it, making it a gancho. For the balls that fly above you towards the left, the gancho is the right choice if shot (except that you’re flying backwards on basically all of them 😆) Finally, a lot of these OHs you should just have let go, but if you want to get better behind the ball for me to stop saying this, you should work on how you travel back. It is good that you are rotating your body quite okay and try to run sideways, but you still seem to be late on almost all the balls. Probably you need to anticipate better when a lob is coming. When your opponents get an easy ball that they can lob on, already then start to get ready to back up. Or maybe these lobs were meant to let go. Remember there is nothing wrong with accepting that your opponents did a too good lob and let it go. You can always show them that you can lob good too :)
2
thank you for your advice , it kinda looks like a mixture of an rulo and vibora/bandeja , because of being to late and taking the ball behind old not infront and also to for on my hitting shoulder and not on the right , i should learn to let these bounce and work on anticipation and speed , till then ->I will lob back :) It’s always a reality check to see how you play and how people think the level is because I thought they are quite solid overheads ( especially my gancho or rulo ) but i have a lot of work to do :)
1
Rulo has more intentional topspin, with the purpose of making it bounce funny at the fence. That’s why I’m saying it’s more a gancho. Have a look at some gancho videos, since you’re almost doing it why not learn it. It’s a super useful shot at intermediate level :) You can really use it to outplay the opponent, varying length. Hit it at their feet play them to the corner or “kill” the tempo and try to let it land (second time) near the glass confusing the opponent Check here https://thepadelschool.com/padel-tips/the-gancho-padel (Btw see how the do what you’re doing but just moving forward instead :))
1
I think you could hit your overheads more in front of you (still to the right) 
1
good point , they all look like they are almost behind my playing shoulder
1
Your over heads are good Well controlled and in the right regions
1
All of the shots are cross court. I would like to se more to the middle and maybe some to the player on the forehand side of your opponents. Only cross court overheads will be really easy to read after a while.
1
u/samps35w ago
Great placements on overheads
1
Other question, what LeBron Viper are you using? And how do you like it? Thanks already!
1
it’s the viper soft , I really like it , mine is a bit heavy
1
Not bad, but consider that the level of the opponents is really low. A higher-level player will pick off those at the net. And, in that case, you must have a solution with more speed. Also use more the middle to move the opponent.
1
yes 🙏🏼thx , I didn’t got punished for my choices in that match
1