💡 Tactics and Technique 💡

Need your advice... am I shit or group too casual?

515 commentsu/ZeR0_0NeZ1w ago

So.. I've been playing padel for 1.5 years with a group of friends on a regular basis (2-3 times a week) and I'm starting to get a bit frustrated. We normally play americano as we're usually 5 joining each session. I spend a lot of time trying to practice my technique and tactics on the side as I really want to progress and eventually start playing in local tournaments. The thing is that when we're playing and I try to incorporate tactics it always ramble down and I end up running all across the field to try and catch the ball as my teammate usually just stands still either at the back or way up in the net without thinking of placement. Am I overthinking it or am I just bad at reading the game? Because I always end up in the bottom 3. 😅 What would you recommend as I don't feel like incorporating tactics work at all. Maybe I'm just bad and need to practice more or maybe I feel like I need to try out playing with other people that actually focuses on tactics. Any advice and/or comments busting my idea of me being decent is appreciated 😂🙌

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Comments (15)

u/Masty19921w ago

You’re probably all still early beginners after 1.5 years because you haven’t played other people and focussed on improving and following proper strategy. You should put yourself out there and start playing with strangers, they will quickly make it clear if you’re out of position all the time

u/laeski1w ago

I recently played with someone who has been playing for 4 years but always with the same group. He really seemed to struggle with basic things like positioning, grip, overheads etc. Guess his level is enough for that group and he's having fun, so good for him! But I guess that shows you really need variance to develop...

u/ZeR0_0NeZOP1w ago

Well it just proves what many here says. I'll try and get out and try out new teams and possibly a coach

u/Available_Animator351w ago

I second this. When playing different ppl you See so much new things and learn from it instead of Always playing the Same group of Friends where you just know exactly how everyone plays

u/TopgearM1w ago

Expand your network and play with strangers. It will open a new world for you. Playing with the same guys will get you in the comfortzone. You know their strength and weaknesses by heart. And tbh. if you always end up at the bottom 3, you are probably not so good yourself. If you are a level above your friends, it should not really matter if your partner doesn't move that much. Short anecdote. There is this older guy with bad knees that sometimes asks me to play with him. He comes from high level squash and can definitely play (has a great hand), but he just doesn't move that well, stays in the back a lot, etc. Hence, he's stuck at the intermediate+ level. I'm advanced and when we team up against other fit intermediate+ guys, we usually win. Even when he doesn't move, cannot run, etc. When he serves, he wants me to switch sides (no australian formation).

u/ZeR0_0NeZOP1w ago

Thanks everyone I needed to hear that 🙌 I will try and get into a community and start playing with strangers and some coaching would probably do me a lot of good. Casual and comfort zone can be good but as some of you also wrote I need to expand and get out of that in order to advance. Thanks everyone !

u/BSH531w ago

Definitely recommend finding new people to play with. I played with the same three friends for my first six months of playing, and although I improved, it wasn’t a huge jump. Then I started playing with random people and my understanding and padel IQ has improved hugely. Mix it up if you can.

u/jasinx1w ago

You’re shit. But that’s normal. What you need is either a coach or another player on a higher level to guide you. And you don’t need too much. Coaches or higher level players identify easily fixable issues that would have a 100% improvement on your current level. Just some pointers regarding the foundations of tactics and positioning. Shot direction, starting positions etc etc. that’s all.

u/zemvpferreira1w ago

It’s probably both. The way out is to join classes and start playing with other people who also want to improve. You don’t have to stop playing with those friends but maybe your priorities have diverged for the moment.

u/AlexGerasim1w ago

Try joining the tournaments with a constant partner and discuss with them the tactics you're going to use the next game before it starts. If you're both in sync it can help.

u/Neither_Attitude17181w ago

just play lobs.

u/morningcoff3e1w ago

Padel is a team game. Tactics are very hard to implement alone if your partner is not on the same page as you. If the group is not interested in the tactical side of the game, maybe focus on just having fun and polishing your technique when playing with them. Find a regular playing partner to practice proper teamwork with.

u/jmOropeza321w ago

Additional to the advice everyone has given you (playing with other people) I would also suggest this, pick a partner, organize a full game once a week or something like that and sign up for a tournament already, if you keep waiting for yourself “to be ready” you will never do it

u/ZeR0_0NeZOP1w ago

I like that 🙌 learn to swim in the deep end of the pool instead of the kids area 😅🙌

u/Rough_War55051w ago

I don't know what your level is, but for me after a quite consistent technique, offense and defense, then I will think more about the strategy. Without it the strategy will be difficult to execute.